Twin Falls Public Library: New in Local History: January/February 2026

What's New in Local and Idaho History

@Twin Falls Public Library

January/February 2026

{Above - a box full of photos related to the Brose family, an early Rock Creek pioneer family.}

Photograph Donations

This past year, we've received a number of photograph donations, but a couple of rather large ones focusing on the early years of the Rock Creek area settlers is exciting for a couple of great reasons. One donation, coming to us this past summer from Shauna Robinson, details the lives and history of the Brose family, and another, gathered by Preservation Twin Falls and donated in memory of Don and Jeanne Dean and Gladys Stricker, offers a look at the Stricker family and other pioneers of the area.

These two donations are exciting because they come from the same area, with settlement that predates the development of Twin Falls by at least 20-30 years. This gives us a chance to know more about the people and the stories of the Magic Valley in the early days of Anglo settlement - and before the irrigation projects turned the desert green.

Another reason we're excited is because this gives us a good reason to invite volunteers in to help us identify some of the photos. Since some of the pictures will be of people and places that may be unfamiliar, we're hoping to rely on the goodwill of families and friends of some of the early pioneers to help us gather information about the photos. If you have a tie to the Brose or Stricker families, or any of the families that made up the Rock Creek community of the late 1800s, please let us know. We may need your expertise!

Upcoming Local History Events

The Homeless Twenty

Twin Falls County Museum

Sat, Jan 24 • 1 PM

Twin Falls Public Librarian Jennifer Hills will introduce you to a group of people who stuck it out through Twin's

early days and had an impact on the community for years afterward.

Diamondfield Jack

Twin Falls County Museum

Sat, Feb 21 • 1 PM

CSI History Professor Justin Vipperman will be on hand to talk about the myths and the truth behind one of Southern Idaho's most colorful characters.

House Detectives

One of my favorite things about working with a local history archive is the questions we get about all sort of things. People see something, or hear something, or just get curious, and then they ask if we know anything about it. Sometimes we're able to answer quickly, but for trickier questions, we often have to do a little digging.

A few months ago, someone texted a photo of a building they could just see peeking out from the TF County Court House in an old photo. The building looked substantial, and they wondered what it was. Unfortunately, because of the angle and the age, all of our usual resources - the Polk Directories, the Sanborn Maps, the Bisbee photos - couldn't give us a definitive answer.

But, a few weeks later, I stumbled upon a Bisbee photo for a different project, and when I zoomed in (thank heavens for our hig-res scans!), I could see that building just a bit better. Now, I could go back to the Sanborn Maps where I realized that the building couldn't have been on the corner, but instead was at 219 5th Ave N. With an address I could use in newspaper searching and the Polk Directory, we hit gold!

The building was originally built as a home for Judge W.A. Babcock around 1907 and he's at that address in the 1908 Polk Directory, the earliest we own. In 1916 or 1917, the Presbyterian Church purchased the house and the lot on the corner next door; when they built their new church, the house became the manse for the minister.

In 1952, the Presbyterians sold the house so that they could build an addition on the land. The house was then moved to 204 Harrison St, where it still stands today.

Talk about learning more everyday!

New Books on Idaho Topics

Carole King: She Made the Earth Move
by Jane Eisner

Jane Eisner traces the professional accomplishments and personal challenges of pop icon Carole King, exploring her unique contribution to American music. Drawing on numerous interviews as well as historical and contemporary sources, this book brings to life King's professional accomplishments, her personal challenges, and her lasting contributions to the great American songbook.

Sawtooth Mountains Hiking Guide 2025: Crags, Canyons, and Solitude: Hiking Through the Soul of the Sawtooths
by Victor Quinton

This meticulously researched guide reveals the hidden corners, iconic trails, and off-the-beaten-path treasures of Idaho's premier mountain range. Inside, you'll find in-depth trail descriptions, accurate 2025 updates, and expert advice on navigating the region's remote terrain. Whether you're planning a short day hike to Alice Lake, a scenic loop past Baron Lakes, or a multi-day cross-country expedition deep into the Sawtooth Wilderness, this book offers detailed planning tools including maps, elevation profiles, difficulty ratings, and seasonal trail insights.

Call To Adventure: Stories By Real Idaho Outdoorsmen
by Flint Nilsson

From the biting cold of a mountain blizzard to the heart-pounding thrill of locking eyes with a massive bull elk, Call to Adventure is a gripping collection of real-life hunting and fishing adventures that will transport readers into the untamed beauty of the great outdoors. Perfect for hunters, anglers, and anyone who loves a good adventure, this book will leave you eager to grab your gear and head into the wilderness for your own unforgettable experience.

Photo Finish

Two men work on the wall of the Snake River Canyon, during construction of the new Perrine Bridge, circa 1972. Blue Lakes

Country Club can be seen in the canyon at the right.

{Photo IDT0046; taken by the Idaho Department of Transportation.}.

Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? Let us Know!

Twin Falls Public Library201 4th Ave E

Twin Falls, Idaho 83301

208-733-2964

twinfallspubliclibrary.org/