American Legion Cabin Robinson Post #81

This large log building is the American Legion Cabin Robinson Post #81. The American Legion Cabin Robinson Post #81 formed in 1920, one year after the end of World War I. As their membership grew and became increasingly active, they decided to construct a central meeting place. This cabin finished in 1929, was built to honor the memory of Potlatch men who died in World War I, and was named for one of those men, C.J. Robinson.

Alfred Johnson near the American Legion Cabin Robinson Post #81, c. 1950, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 12-03-289.

The American Legion Cabin Robinson Post #81 was one of the very few buildings not owned by the Potlatch Lumber Company. However, the timbers were donated by the company and were hand hewn by volunteer axmen. So many lodges and civic and social organizations grew up in the town, encouraged by the company, that one of the most daunting jobs in Potlatch was the scheduling of meeting places. The American Legion Cabin Robinson Post #81 saw constant meetings, dances, and parties.  The Great Depression brought changes to the social life in the town and the cabin was no longer a beehive of activity. Later it was leased for a restaurant and at this date it is rarely used.

American Legion Cabin Robinson Post #81, no date, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 12-03-288.

References:

Petersen, Keith C. Company Town: Potlatch, Idaho, and the Potlatch Lumber Company. (Pullman, Washington: Washington State University Press, 1987), 148, 154.

Idaho State Historical Society. Inventory Sheet for Group Nominations: Historic Resources of Potlatch. Boise, ID, n.d.

Dedication plaque on the American Legion Cabin Robinson Post #81, courtesy of Virginia Rankin.

Soncarty Barn

Located eight miles north of Potlatch, just off Highway 95, the Edward and Ida Soncarty Barn offers a well-preserved example of the Gothic arch roof style barn that came into style after 1915.  Round-roofed barns grew in popularity because they had less angles and cross braces, allowing more loose hay storage for a variety of farm animals.  The Soncarty barn duplicated the style of neighbor Durrell Nirk’s barn, and area residents believe Nirk originated the building pattern or purchased it, sharing the design with others.  Painted red and white, the Soncarty’s new barn was built on a rock foundation. 

The Soncarty Barn, courtesy of the National Register for Historic Places Inventory Nomination form, dated May 8, 2007.

The accompanying Soncarty farmstead, which includes a well maintained home and some outbuildings, accommodated the diversified style of farming prominent in north Latah County during the period from 1928 to 1955.  The area had many similar subsistence farmers, who worked off-farm and also raised both animals and crops to provide for struggling families settling the rolling hills of the Palouse.

As for the original barn owner, Edward Soncarty was born in 1885, grew up in Illinois, and later traveled to California, where he worked as a chef.  In 1909, he came to Latah County, where he labored as a farmhand, and later purchased the farmstead at a tax sale.  In 1916, he married Ida Bysegger, the 17-year-old daughter of a neighboring farmer.  After an elegant wedding, the Soncartys settled down to a simple life, with Edward working as a logger, thresher and auctioneer to supplement farm income.  As the family prospered, they added the barn in 1928.   Before the hayloft was filled with hay for the first time, neighborhood men gathered there to play basketball.  The attractive barn was used primarily to shelter cow-milking operations and provide space for draft horses; later Edward added a small sawmill operation in the hayloft.

The Soncarty Barn, courtesy of the National Register for Historic Places Inventory Nomination form, dated May 8, 2007.

The Edward and Ida Soncarty Barn was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the Latah County Historic Preservation Commission in 2008.

References:

Julin, Suzanne. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. Missoula, MT, May 8, 2007.

McConnell and Maguire Building

In 1878 Mr. William J. McConnell moved to Moscow, Idaho to enter into the merchant business.  Mr. McConnell went into business with Mr. James H. Maguire, together they opened a small wood framed retail store in the 1st and Main block of Moscow.

The original McConnell and Maguire Mercantile store, labeled W. J. MCConnell & Co., 1880, Courtesy of Latah County Historical Society, 01-03-008.

Over time the McConnell and Maguire mercantile business grew and required larger a larger space.    They built their next store on the same block but it was a much more permanent store, with prominent glass display cases facing the street and sidewalk.  Their new building had been completed by 1885 when the picture below was taken. 

The McConnell and Maguire store is located second from the right, with the large display windows.  This picture was taken in 1885, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 01-02-003.

With the success of the business Mr. McConnell was free to pursue other interests.  In December of 1890 Mr. McConnell was elected to be one of the first Unites States Senators from the newly formed state of Idaho.  Mr. McConnell served in the United States Senate from December of 1890 through March of 1891.  Upon Mr. McConnell's return he decided it was time for the McConnell and Maguire store to enlarge their store once again.  This would be the last construction project for the McConnell and Maguire store and their largest.

In 1891 McConnell and Maguire hired the architects W.J. Lewis and M. D. Ogilbee to design their new store.  The new store was to take up most of the 1st and Main blocks in downtown Moscow.  The architects designed the building you are looking at today, a three floor stone building with plenty of windows and natural light.  the McConnell and Maguire company began operating in the building in the first year and used all three floors of the building as store space.

The McConnel and Maguire store, photo taken sometime between 1891 and 1893, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 01-03-112.

McConnell Maguire Co. advertising, photo taken between 1890 and 1893, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 01-03-152.

In 1893, there was a panic at the banks and the McConnell Maguire Company was one of many of the casualties.  In 1893 the McConnell Magure Company closed, just two years after they built this marvelous building.

The next major tenant for the building was the Motter, Wheeler and Company general Mercantile.  This store was established in the building by 1905.  During this time the U.S. District Court held office space on the second floor.  The photo below shows a circus parade on its way through Moscow in front of this building.  This photograph was taken in 1905.

A circus parade on its way through Moscow in front of the former McConnell Maguire store, now the Motter, Wheeler and Company general Mercantile.  Photo taken in 1905, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society 01-02-325.

In 1911 the building was renewed under Nathanial Williamson as the Williamson's center.  Williamson's center was at its heart a mercantile store that sold just about everything you could need.  Williamson's center expanded shortly thereafter to include a resteraunt, grocery store and hardware store in the adjoining Browne block.  Williamson's hallmark was a large electric sign which read Williamson's verticially along the street side of the building.  Williamson's was also the first store in Moscow to have a passenger elevator.

Williamson's Center ca. 1911.  Courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society 01-03-113.

In 1919 the Williamson's center went out of business and the building went unoccupied for a number of years.  In 1928 the second and thrid floors of the building were converted into apartments, the building became known as the Thatuna Building.  In 1978 the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

References:

Hibbard, Don. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. Boise, ID, November 2, 1977.

Otness, Lillian W. A Great Good Country: A guide to Historic Moscow and Latah County, Idaho. (Moscow: Latah County Historic Society, 1983), 13-14, 81-82.

Monroe, Julie R. Images of America: Moscow. (Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing), 18.

The Bank of Juliaetta

The Bank of Juliaetta, date unknown, courtesy of the Juliaetta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation.

The historic Bank of Juliaetta was constructed on red brick in 1910 at the corner of 3rd and Main Streets with the design created by James H. Nave. The bank was originally chartered in 1908 and by 1910 had sufficient capital to erect a new building.  Ellsworth W. Porter, a prominent Juliaetta citizen was the president.  Mr. Porter served as a city trustee and was co-owner of Lawrence & Porter, a grain warehouse.  The building has the original pressed metal ceilings and large metal bank vault.  The bank operated from 1910 until 1931, when it was liquidated by A. W. Behrens and merged with the Kendrick State Bank in Kendrick, Idaho.  This building has housed a confectionery owned by J. A. Heacox, The United States Post Office, and currently the First Bank of Pizza.

The Bank of Juliaetta, date unknown, courtesy of the Juliaetta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation.

References:

Otness, Lillian W. A Great Good Country: A guide to Historic Moscow and Latah County, Idaho. (Moscow: Latah County Historic Society, 1983), 159.

Bedeau, Michael A. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. Boise, ID, September 8, 1997.

Bethany Memorial Chapel

This lovely country church was constructed by volunteer labor from Norwegian settlers. The Norwegians started settling in the early 1880s and soon established a town known as Taney.   This church was chartered as The Evangelical Lutheran Church when it was established in 1902. When the congregation decided to erect a building, they decided on all volunteer labor.  Construction of the church began in 1903 and finished in 1905.  This Gothic revival type church and its graveyard are nestled in among mature evergreens and rolling crop land on Bear Ridge out of Kendrick, Idaho.  The nave boasts lancet clear arched windows while the tower is adorned with a pinwheel patterned round window.  The altar area is a raised semi-circle with newel posts at the ends.  Pews were hand carved from Douglas Fir logs.  From the charming belfry to the gingerbread trim, this church is a treasure.  The church is used on Easter, Memorial Day, and Christmas with an occasional wedding or funeral ceremony.

Photo of the Bethany Memorial Chapel, date unknown, courtesy of Latah County Historical Society, 10-06-004.

 Photo of the Bethany Memorial Chapel from 1908, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 10-06-005.

Photograph of one of the monuments in the Bethany Memorial Cemetery, c.a. 1980, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 25-07-12.

Bethany Memorial Chapel and Cemetery, c.a. 1980, courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 25-07-14.

References:

Hibbard, Don. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. Boise, ID, August 4, 1978.

Julieta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation

Otness, Lillian W. A Great Good Country: A guide to Historic Moscow and Latah County, Idaho. (Moscow: Latah County Historic Society, 1983), 178.

The Fraternal Temple

In 1905 three fraternal organizations, the Woodmen of the World Lodge, the Independent Organization of Odd Fellows, and the Masons built this structure by selling shares in the Fraternal Temple Company for $10.00 per share.  This building was erected at an expense of $8,000.00 and did not incur debt when it was built.  The temple has four levels in the rear of the building with two levels in the forefront.  A large upstairs meeting room has hosted many meetings, events, and dances. 

The Fraternal Temple, date unknown, courtesy of the Juliaetta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation.

Traditionally the lower floor was used as a business space.  The first business located in the building was the Beehive, a grocery store owned by Hayslip and Nomian.  In 1909 Rowland’s Furniture & Undertaking shared the space with a roller skating rink operated by Fred Situs.  Morgan Grocery, Rider’s Grocery, Higley’s Grocery, and Kendrick Table Supply all have been building tenants.  The mezzanine level, which initially served as an apartment, has been the home of the Hill & Valley Garden Club for the last 50 years.

The Fraternal Temple, date unknown, courtesy of the Juliaetta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation.

When the Masonic Lodge disbanded in 1980, the building was turned over to Kendrick Grange #413.  The lower area is now rented out for community/family events.  The Juliaetta– Kendrick Heritage Foundation has combined renovation efforts with the present tenants.  Upon completion of the renovation the Juliaetta– Kendrick Heritage Foundation will call the second floor area home.  This space will provide a museum gallery, meeting space, a historical research facility, and archival cataloging and storage area.

References:

Juliaetta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation

Julin, Suzanne. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. Missoula, MT, September 30, 2011.

Otness, Lillian W. A Great Good Country: A guide to Historic Moscow and Latah County, Idaho. (Moscow: Latah County Historic Society, 1983), 153.

The Fraternal Temple, date unknown, courtesy of the Juliaetta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation.

The W. I. & M. Railway Depot

Built in 1906, the W. I. & M. (Washington, Idaho, and Montana) Railway depot was the first commercial building in the company town of Potlatch, which was created to serve the Potlatch Lumber Company.  The company was the first major western expansion of the Weyerhaeuser timber syndicate, and the Potlatch sawmill was for years the largest white pine mill in the world.  Designed by Spokane architect C. Ferris White, the depot was the hub for sawmill, logging, railroad and company town activities. 

Courtesy of Images of the Past CD distributed by the Potlatch Historical Society, and originally sponsored by Potlatch Corporation

The W. I. & M. Railway, at 47 miles long, extended from Bovill, Idaho to Palouse, Washington.  Unfortunately the name of the W. I. & M. was a bit too ambitious since the road never reached Montana.  Railroad tracks historically ran along either side of the depot, so trains could easily transfer freight to the company town buildings, or haul lumber and logs to and from the mill.  The large brick building near the depot was once the produce cellar for the company store, and is part of the Commercial Historic District added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.  The smaller wooden building next to the depot housed repair facilities for the railroad. 

Railroad workers at the W. I. & M. Railway Depot in Potlatch, ID, date unknown.  Courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 12-03-079.

During its history, the depot has been owned by the W. I. & M. Railway, the Milwaukee Road, Watco, and currently a non-profit, the W. I. & M. History Preservation Group (WIM HPG), which took ownership in 2001.  For many years, the building was left to languish in disrepair, but in 2007, the WIM HPG began major restoration efforts.  Exterior work was completed in 2007, and interior work continues as funding becomes available.  The depot is part of the Commercial Historic District.

References:

Potlatch Historical Society

Petersen, Keith. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Sheet for Group Nominations, Commercial Historic District, Potlatch, ID, May, 1985.

Otness, Lillian W. A Great Good Country: A guide to Historic Moscow and Latah County, Idaho. (Moscow: Latah County Historic Society, 1983), 116-117.

W. I. & M. History Preservation Group, www.potlatchdepot.blogspot.com

Courtesy of Images of the Past CD distributed by the Potlatch Historical Society, and originally sponsored by Potlatch Corporation

A W. I. & M Ry. train at the W. I. & M. Railway Depot in Potlatch, ID, date unknown.  Courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 12-03-001.

In 2006 the W. I. & M. Railway Depot began a massive renovation of the depot, most of the work was completed and done in 2007.  This image shows the depot under renovation in 2007.  Image courtesy of www.potlatchdepot.blogspot.com.

The Kirby House

Thomas Kirby, the founder of Kendrick, built this showcase six bedroom home in 1889.  In May 1890, Kirby on the basis of a guarantee that the Northern Pacific Railroad would extend its track to Kendrick gave the railroad a deed to one-half of the new town.  To sweeten the railroad deal Kirby named the town Kendrick in honor of the railroad’s chief engineer, John W. Kendrick.  Kirby continued building the community as a founding father by platting Kendrick, serving as the first Postmaster from 1889—1890, selling real estate in Kendrick, and in 1893 Kirby built a hardware store.

The Kirby House, no date, courtesy of the Juliaetta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation.

The Kirby House (as it has become known) was built in the late Victorian and Queen Anne styles.  The windows and doors contained colored and stained glass.  Ornate woodwork and door knobs decorate the six bedrooms.  Ornate Gingerbread trim was used along the roof and porches.  The outer door knobs are constructed of solid brass. 

The Kirby House, no date, courtesy of the Juliaetta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation.

In 1900, M.C. McGrew, who owned McGrew & Carmean Wholesale & Retails Merchandise General Store, purchased this house and added four rooms onto the house.  Following the 1904 Fire, which burnt McGrew’s store, Henry E. Wessels purchased the house.  Four years latter N.B. Long, another general store owner, bought the house and in 1909 moved his family from Leland into it.  The Long family added a laundry room onto the house in 1910 and brought electricity into the home in 1914.  These were only the beginning of the many renovations that the Long family made to the house over their extensive time in this house.  The Long family came home to this house for 83 years.  Until Mrs. Marvin (Martha) Long, the wife of N.B. Long’s son, died in 1992 the Long family called this house home.

References

Juliaetta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation

Otness, Lillian W. A Great Good Country: A guide to Historic Moscow and Latah County, Idaho. (Moscow: Latah County Historic Society, 1983), 155.


Stephens, Shirley and Susan Paras. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form. Pullman, WA, May 8, 1998.

The Kirby House, no date, courtesy of the Juliaetta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation.