The Housing & Business Signage Project

The idea of identifying and signing Salmon's old buildings started with two museum employees finding some pictures of houses attached to sheets of typewriter paper amongst museum records. Various handwritings had added known history of each house. The two employees immediately copied them to the computer and CD's and began talking about trying to sign all houses that were at least 100 years old. It was later changed to include houses 75 to 100 years old.

A form was made and they started giving them out to people with old houses and putting articles in the newspaper.

Early on it appeared that the hardest part might be the actual signs themselves. Style will determine costs and so far no reasonable affordable sign has been found. We are currently open to suggestions or solutions in this area. They would be greatly appreciated.

Signs need to be simple, durable and large enough to be read from the street without over powering the house. It would be desirable if they were designed to be hung on the house or from a stand in the yard, nearer the street, whichever installation would maintain the most privacy for the owner. The signs would state the original owner and date built, in larger letters, and in smaller letters, "The Lemhi County Historical Society Signage Project".

Main Street signage needs to be more impressive and durable and will therefore be more expensive. The favored signs, seen in other communities, cost nearly $400 each. Second choice is slightly lower. The signs are brass and photo engraved with a short history of the buildings and an early picture. They can be firmly attached to the building.

It has become obvious to the committee that most people do not realize the amount of historical buildings that are still in good shape and in use and how important their preservation is to the heritage of Lemhi County. So many houses have been kept in good condition through remodeling and additions. This sometimes makes them hard to identify also.

Main Street is particularly important as tourists coming into the museum often comment on the lovely old Main Street and how nice it is to have a town with a centralized shopping district. We are hoping to instill respect and care for our historical heritage by our signage project.

There are currently 25 homeowners signed up as part of the signage project. We have not had the time to thoroughly research each house that has been submitted to find the oldest house amongst them. At this time it appears to be a tie between the old Lars Geertson house on the Old Lemhi Road and the Rick and Charlotte Malcom house at 1010 Bryan Avenue.

The oldest Main Street business is the Kay's Hallmark Store built in 1871. It was originally the second IOOF Hall. The upstairs was used as a schoolroom at one time. The next oldest would be the Krawsowski Jewelry Store if it is true that it was built in 1880 as a residence. The oldest "institution" on Main Street is the tree at the side of Dee's Barber Shop. It dates to at least 1856. You may get the story from Dee or wait for the book!

The Museum will be producing The History Map of Main Street. It is nearing completion. We have decided it is a work that will never be completely finished. Each person we interview has a new memory and they don't always agree with other sources. We are selecting pictures and will begin seeking printing costs soon.