2007 Idaho Days Agenda
On
April 14, 1860 pioneers settled Franklin, the oldest permanent
settlement in Idaho. Two years before the fiftieth anniversary,
William Woodward came up with the idea of having an annual celebration
to commemorate this historic event. On April 26, 1910, Governor
James H. Brady proclaimed June 15 as the official Idaho Day.
On June 14 and 15, 1910, the first Idaho Day celebration took
place. June 14 was a day of much celebrating. Beginning at sunrise
with a gun salute and flag raising; an Indian skirmish with
75 Shoshone Indians against whites; a pioneer meeting featuring
the state historian, and the unveiling of the monument honoring
the original settlers. The governor of Idaho and Joseph F. Smith,
president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
were featured speakers. Baseball games between the Indians and
the whites, horse races, foot races, tug-of war, other sports
and the usual carnival attractions filled the park. A banquet
was held with extra guests being the state treasurer, sate auditor,
and superintendent of public instruction. A brass band and an
orchestra performed. Included in the entertainment was an Indian
War Dance. June 15 was again welcomed with a gun salute and
flag raising followed by a parade and a town meeting featuring
Governor James H. Brady, secretary of state Hon. Robert Lousdon,
and addresses by other state officials. In the afternoon, they
went to the top of Mt. Smart, now called Little Mountain where
the state insurance commissioner spoke on "Incidents Connected
with the Mountain." The rest of the day was filled with
activities much as the day before ending with a grand ball at
the Opera House.
Idaho
Days has been celebrated every year since then. It seems to
be the general consensus of most everyone that grew up in Franklin,
that Idaho Days was one of the most exciting events of the summer.
1960 was the centennial celebration of Idaho Days. The whole
park was filled with people, fun, and entertainment. In 1958,
Governor Robert E. Smylie officially changed the date to the
last Saturday in June where it still stands today. An excellent
history of Franklin and its settlers along with the whole state
of events is included in the 1960, Idaho Days Program. Click
to view program in pdf format. For many years,
Idaho Days was one of the biggest and most anticipated celebrations
in Cache Valley. The girls got new dresses and new shoes. Young
men worked hard for little pay and saved their money. Then they
asked the prettiest girl to accompany them and spent much of
their money on the day's events. Many of the events from the
original Idaho Day became tradition and were observed each year.
A flag raising, a town meeting usually featuring the governor
of Idaho, the president of the LDS church or a church official,
an Indian skirmish, and usual games and field sports including
ball games, and the grand ball in the evening. A carnival was
brought in by the railroad and concessions were sold. People
came from all around. It was the place to be.
Before
1900, Franklin had become a booming industrial community with
the Oneida Mercantile Union, the North Star Woolen Mills, W.L.
Webster General Store, Robert Lowe Furniture, Hill Brother's
Store, Riter Brothers Drug, Monson and Sons Lumber and Shingle
Mill, Nash's Blacksmith Shop, and the Herd Hotel. Franklin had
the telegraph office where the message of Custer's Last Stand
was sent to the nation. It was the end of the railroad line
until 1878 when the West Side railroad extended to Pocatello.
The story goes that a bank wanted to purchase the corner where
La Tienda now stands. When they were turned down, the bank went
to Preston. The railroad from Franklin was also extended to
Preston, which became the northern terminus for the Eastern
Cache Valley Spur. With both the bank and the railroad in Preston,
the businesses followed. Preston grew and Franklin stayed small.
As
other surrounding communities grew and had their own celebrations,
as technology developed and televisions and movie houses drew
the crowds, Idaho Days changed from a valley celebration to
what seemed like a community celebration. The centennial celebration
in 1960 brought back the carnival and many of the traditional
events including the Indian skirmish and celebrities. It is
remembered fondly as one of the most successful Idaho Day celebrations
ever.
Again
in 1990, as the centennial celebration of Idaho becoming a state,
another enormous celebration was planned. The carnival was brought
back for one last time and thousands of people attended and
were delighted with the fanfare. And on of the highlights of
the celebration was the Thirteen Wagons musical re-enactment
of the settlement of Franklin. Franklin still has Idaho Days
each year the last weekend in June. Many who live in Franklin
and Preston still anticipate it faithfully. People in Franklin
are proud of the contributions those original settlers made
to this state. The traditional Idaho Day is still a top priority
on the Franklin Agenda. It now opens with a Miss Idaho Day Pageant.
Saturday has a flag raising, a chuckwagon breakfast, a 5k run,
parade, booths set up in the park, children's games and other
activities, ball tournament, spelling bee, 3 on 3 basketball
tournament, animal races, entertainment, Dutch oven supper,
lighting of the 1860 on Little Mountain, dance, and fireworks
