History Corner

In the spring of 1902 a group in Council received a $500 grant from the Congregational Building Society, and construction started on a church. Construction lasted all summer, and the first service was conducted in the new building in November. It was dedicated in a ceremony on January 18, 1903. It was the only church in town. (That church was torn down in the 1950s and replaced by a new church just west of it. And that newer church was torn down in 2017 and replaced by the existing Community Church just west of it.)

Weiser Signal, June 28, 1902 – “E.D. Ford, manager of the Idaho Gold Coin Mines at Black Lake, says they are now at work opening the wagon road so that supplies can be taken in. they have just received three cars of tram fixtures, cable and pipe for the mill. They have a gang of men at work now and are plowing out the snow with a 16-inch plow and 14 horses. E.D. says it is a success and more rapid than shoveling.”

Also under construction that summer was a big barn at the Charles Campbell ranch in Meadows Valley. I think it’s the one still standing today. (If I’m wrong, someone please let me know.)

That summer, a wagon road was surveyed from Council Valley to Long Valley, and construction started in July. Part of the motivation had to have been the enormous amount of traffic to Thunder Mountain. The contract called for 8 miles of road “seven feet wide with turnouts, etc.” A crew of 20 men started working on it from Long Valley, and another crew built from the Council Valley at Mill Creek. It was said to enter Long Valley “about midway between Lardo and Roseberry.”

Weiser Signal, July 19, 1902 – “Council Journal – Twenty men and five teams. That is the force Superintendent Henry Camp will put to work for the next three weeks in building the road to Long Valley. Construction work will begin Monday next and will be pushed expeditiously as possible. It is confidently expected the road will be completed in three weeks from Next Monday. The Long Valley people have practically completed their portion of the road.”

Council Journal, Sept. 18, 1902 – “A celebration of the completion of the Council – Long Valley Road was cause for the P&IN to feature a special excursion train to Council, bearing dignitaries: Senator George L. Shoup, George H. Stewart and Frank Harris.” It was hoped Senator Borah would come, but he didn’t.

Another important road was built that summer, from the Black Lake ore mill to Iron Springs / Paradise Flat. Jim Ross supervised about 18 men and 10 teams to build it. As it was nearing completion, H.D. Rankin extended that road on to his claims at what became known as “Rankin Mill.”

Weiser Signal, August 2, 1902 – “The cable for the Salzer-Ford mine, near Black Lake, is now being hauled from Council to that property. There is now a larger force working at this property than ever before.”

Cambridge Citizen, Oct 10, 1902 – “Correspondence to the Eagle: The Salzer-Ford company has been compelled to assist their gravity aerial bucket tramway with water power. The long span across Black lake seems to be too much for the gravity system.”

Idaho Statesman, November 18, 1902 – “The disputed boundary line between the counties of Washington and Idaho has at last been surveyed out and settled. By the new line Washington County gets practically all of the Seven Devils mining district.”

Also under construction that summer was a new school at Indian Valley. It wasn’t completed until early 1903.

In those days, towns often organized a town band, and Council followed that trend that winter. Some of the members were Bill and Lewis Winkler, Harry Criss, Fred Weed and Don Mathias. The Signal reported on the reaction to the band’s practice sessions: “Several parties, who rented houses in town for the winter, are trying to exchange for the country, they say the band boys make night hideous.”

Died in 1902: William Jennings (long time partner of Calvin White), William Corriel, Tom Price (after whom Price Valley was named).

Born in 1902: Ralph Longfellow, Harmon Manning, Vern Newcomb, L.O. “Sonny” Simpson, Henry Winkler, Mark A. Winkler, Mary Youngblood, Ella June Corriel, Elmer Lewis Winkler (son of Lewis Winkler).