Kendrick

First named Latah, and later Kirby, after the founding father, Thomas Kirby; Kendrick would ultimately derive its name from a Northern Pacific Railway engineer John Kendrick.  With the coming of the railroad in 1891, Kendrick became a thriving city.  It was the trading center for the back country mining operations.  Kendrick thrived but faced more than its share of natural disasters.  Kendrick burned to the ground the first time in 1893.  The town rebuilt only to have a disastrous train wreck and massive flooding in early 1900.  With courage the patrons rebuilt the town only to have it burned again in August 1904.

Kendrick after the 1904 fire, image courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 10-01-19.

Kendrick during the 1900 flood, image courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 10-01-002.

After Kendrick was rebuilt in 1904, the business district thrived.  Kendrick would peak in the 1920’s with a population of 856 people.  The fertile farmlands located on the seven ridges that surround the valley provided a stable economy.  Timber in the area was abundant as well.  Kendrick was known for its Fourth of July celebrations.  Thousands of people came to town for the event.  With the advent of the automobile, the economy of Kendrick began to suffer since businesses no longer had to rely on the railroad to transport their goods.

Kendrick, ID no date, image courtesy of the Latah County Historical Society, 10-04-001.

References:

Historical Tour of Kendrick, Juliaetta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation

Juliaetta-Kendrick Heritage Foundation

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 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.