Paris, Idaho - Architectural Treasure

Photo by Lauriann Wakefield

In 1978, the Idaho Historical Society cataloged over 80 architecturally significant historic houses and commercial buildings in Paris, Idaho.  In this and future columns we will highlight one. 

Henry Stoker House and Outbuildings  (Site 46)
LOCATION: 192 South Second East, Paris, Idaho

The former Stoker house is composed of a mansard-roofed rectangular block facing East Second Street, and a gable-roofed ell, its hipped entry porch facing South Second East, to the rear.

The main block is one-and-a-half stories and constructed of brick. The facade is symmetrical, with a centered entry and flanking windows aligned beneath a row of round-headed wall dormers in the shoulder of the mansard roof. There is another window with a wall dormer above it in the narrow east end. The main floor windows have cast lintels and sills; the dormer windows are modestly trimmed with scroll-sawn mill work. There are two corbelled brick chimneys well inset from the ends.

The rear section is frame sided with shiplap. The porch is hipped toward the main block and supported on Tuscan columns. The disposition of openings is the reverse of that encountered in the Rich-Grandy cabin two blocks west (site 28) ; the entry is at left, with a pair of two-over- two light sash windows in the middle and a third window at right. property includes a one-story log outbuilding and a frame Paris-type barn.

The Stoker house is architecturally significant as an unaltered example of the one­ and-one-half story mansard-roofed I-house in Paris. It is the only brick mansard which has not been re-sided and shows its masonry and trim clearly.  The Tueller family masons, who chose mansard roofs for their own residences, were responsible for the brickwork. The two units of this L-shaped house are made more compatible in scale by the use of the mansard than on the taller I-houses, e.g., the Stucki house (site (132 ). According to oral sources, the frame portion was built first by the Stokers, a Swiss family who farmed. When fortunes rose or numbers grew, the I-section and probably the porch columns, comparable to those on the Wallentine house (site #35) were added. The brick portion, with etched glass in the door, appeared after the turn of the century, a date which is supported by the use of concrete lintels and sills rather than stone. The Stoker house established the mansard roof as an unusually enduring stylistic element in Paris. As such, it has been determined to be, as are Paris' earlier mansards, of statewide notice.

Wallace Elliot’s 1884 History of the Idaho Territory, an interesting, if not always accurate source of images of early houses, includes a drawing of Walter Hoge's residence as an L-shaped house with stilted Italianate bay and raised running porch with balustrade, and featuring a gable roof.  An 1883 reference in the Bear Lake Democrat states that Hoge was "making an addition to his brick house”   and was erecting a frame house on the same lot.

The porch base still shows on the present form of the house between the two thirties arches.  The "square cabin” portion to the rear is most probably that separate frame dwelling mentioned in the paper.  It is possible that its Y construction coincided with Hoge’ s response to a "call from authority”  to marry again, and that this house was joined to the main block at a later date. Due to Elliott's illustration, it seems clear that the mansard roof was also added after the house had its nearly final shape. With the addition of the more exotic roof line, which not only created a stylistic change but gave the house an added half-story, the Hoge house came to resemble the Tueller mansards built around 1887.  Its wedge-roofed upper door in the elaborate bracketing is a detail not found on any of the others.

Walter Hoge came to Paris in the 1870's and, at various times, was county sheriff , editor of the Southern Idaho Independent, had a land office, ran a lumber mill in nearby Liberty, and was active in the Paris Cooperative Institution.(Bear Lake Democrat, 23 June 1883) 

Starry Night At The Lake

Photo by Brooke Hunsakeer

County Short Term Rental Licenses

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  July 6, 2016.  Over $18,000 will be raised in taxes if the county starts to regulate short term rentals.  Mitch Poulsen, director of the Bear Lake Regional Commission and Bob Peterson of Garden City used software to determine who was renting in the county and put together a budget to see how much revenue the county would receive.   

Poulsen recommended creating a conditional use permit requirement as well which will alert the neighbors.  He related a story of a homeowner  in the county with a shared driveway, who had neighbors who added 5 more bedrooms and bathrooms to their three bedroom home  and now have up to 40 people renting nightly, they will be parking in the shared driveway and shared parking area which is very difficult for the neighbor.

   

Most of the homes are built as residences and then converted to large capacity short term rentals, which means suddenly a neighbor has a hotel next to them. 

Poulsen noted that if it is required to have a conditional use permit then the neighbors can speak against or for it in a public hearing.

Short Term Rental Business Ordinances need to be clear about parking and off street vehicle use, fire prevention and noise.  The ordinance copies Garden City’s ordinance for the most part.  It will go into effect January 1, 2017 if approved.  The county attorney needs to go over it before it can be approved.

Rich County Commission Meeting

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  July 6, 2016.  Jared Hislop applied for a  license for internet consulting.  His company is Digital Marketing.  Rae Dawn Martin received a food truck business license to be a hot dog vendor at local events.  Her business name is Yo Dad’s Dogs.  

Heather Thompson, from Randolph, wants to put a box out for donations for items to support the troops serving in war zones as part of her Sterling Scholar effort.  She suggests phone cards personal hygiene articles, magazines, books, posters, calendars, batteries, movies, CDs  memory discs, candy and letters.  These items will go to Support Our Troops. The box will be up for 90 days in the County Office. 

Board of Equalization has been scheduled for September 19.

The Sons of the American Legion will sharpen the lettering on the war memorials in front of the County Office.  They will also buy a large granite monument  for new names and names of people wo were not on the original monuments.

During the July 4, weekend ambulances ran back to back. Three new EMT will come on line in Garden City.  Garden City had 3 or 4 runs every day during the Fourth of July weekend, plus at least one life flight. 

The historic Scout House will be dismantled  unless someone wants to take it. Bids for use can be made until August 1. Then they will bid it out for demolition.  

Bear Lake Legislative Town Hall Meeting In Logan July 14.

Jennie Christensen, News Director

KVNU Radio

"Bear Lake and Her Many Roles" is the theme for this month's legislative town hall meeting hosted by Cache County's local legislators. The town hall meeting will be held Thursday, July 14 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the Historic Cache County Courthouse.

State Representative Curt Webb, R-District 5, is a Providence resident and says even though Bear Lake is not in Cache County it is important to local residents. Many people don't realize how many roles it plays, says Webb.

He says presentations will be made by representatives of the State Division of Water Rights and the Bear Lake Regional Commission.

"I have the Department of Parks and Recreation coming," Webb says. "They'll talk about the role that most of us have been very interested in, and that is how we use the lake recreationally and what the plans are and what the restrictions are.

"They will also talk about the invasive species stuff like quagga mussel and inspections that are being done as you come into the valley. And finally Mayor (John) Spuhler from Garden City will be there to talk about the economic impact."

Webb says everyone is invited to attend this and other monthly legislative-sponsored meetings which are designed to keep local residents informed on local issues. He says questions from those in attendance will be welcomed.

Chocolates At The Bear Lake Craft Fair During Raspberry Days

Papa's Fine Chocolates

By Sandi Gunderson Warner, Contributor

Rich Civic Times

How many of you remember The Glade Candy Company in Salt Lake City? I always found their building on 8th South to be so enticing. It's been almost a century since Glade's went into business and now Robert Mathews, the third generation of candy makers, is right here in Bear Lake Valley. Having learned how to make chocolates from his grandfather, James Vernon Glade, Robert and his wife, April, started making them simply as a hobby. But after his grandfather tried them and told them they'd be foolish not to do more with their knowledge, they started a business in Alaska. In 2012 they moved to Montpelier where they have relatives and opened Papa's Fine Chocolates. Am I glad they did!

Once you try their confections it's impossible to ever want store bought chocolate again. My favorite is the salted dark chocolate although the toffee and coconut and chocolate covered nuts are right at the top of my list as well. But let's not stop there. They have orange, cheescake, butter cream, and light and dark chocolates. And let's not forget the caramels and peanut brittle. This year at the Bear Lake Valley Craft Fair they will be featuring chocolate covered raspberries and huckleberries and handmade “old world recipe”waffle cones with Aggie ice cream. YUM!

So be sure to stop by and see all the goodies they are currently hard at work creating for the Bear Lake Valley Craft Fair during Raspberry Days, Aug. 4-6. You'll find them and many other talented local crafters in the Lakeside Bldg north of the library in the Garden City Complex on 300 West.

Bear Lake Local Craft Fair During Raspberry Days

CHRISTINA BAILEY BEADWORK, SOAPS & GLASS

By Sandra Gunderson Warner, Contributor

Rich Civic Times

Christina Bailey started doing beadwork when she was about 10 years old growing up in a small town in Denmark. Back then her beadwork was influenced by Danish and Scandinavian styles and designs but when she moved to the U.S. in 1989 she discovered Native American beadwork as a new form of jewelry design to explore. In 1999 she started to handpaint and embellish gourds – some of which she makes into bird houses. She then expanded her talents into making handmade soaps and, in 2006 she invested in a small kiln and started to fuse glass. But this is not all she does.

So be sure to stop by and see all of the numerous crafts she is currently hard at work creating for the Bear Lake Valley Craft Fair during Raspberry Days, Aug. 4-6. You'll find them and many other talented local crafters in the Lakeside Bldg north of the library in the Garden City Complex on 300 West.

Mountain Lion Killed In Logan Canyon

Photo by DeWayne Gifford

The Garden City Ambulance hit and killed a mountain lion on a late night ambulance run in Logan Canyon Thursday night.  

Bear Lake Corridor Study Open House

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), in collaboration with Garden City and the Bear Lake Regional Commission, is concluding the Bear Lake Corridor Study.

The study has noted that the region experiences significant “special event” visitation levels for weekends and holidays throughout the summer. The study found that high traffic volumes occur often enough to justify capacity enhancements or traffic management strategies.

The study provides recommendations for several priority projects and serves as a basis for UDOT and stakeholders to plan future improvements. The study was careful to recommend projects that are appropriate given the scale and variability of visitor demand, the context of the semi-rural setting, and public preferences.

A public open house will be held:

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

in the  Garden City Town Center – 

Lakeview Conference Room 69 N. Paradise Parkway, Bldg B , Garden City, UT

Come learn about the short-term and long-term recommendations related to intersection design, turn lanes, pedestrian mobility, roadway geometry, on-road cycling, and beach access.

The study team has developed a project web site where you can find additional information about the project. Please visit https://goo.gl/F6jtLW For questions regarding this open house or the project in general, please contact Kyle Cook at (385)282-7059 or k.cook@fehrandpeers.com.

Cisco Sonar

Wildlife

By Bryce Nielson

Summer is just ramping up and and there is a lot of “wildlife” taking place around Bear Lake.  That is not what I want to talk about, however.

Long before the tourists came to Bear Lake the valley was teaming with a wide diversity of wildlife. The Shoshoni Indians summered in this valley for 1000’s of years and lived off its wildlife.  The mountain men trapped and traded here in the 1830’s but did not impact the wildlife, with the exception of beavers, very much.  The movement of pioneers and settlers then flooded in and most wildlife species were over harvested or replaced with livestock.   In the early 1900’s, the hills around Bear Lake had been overgrazed and denuded of vegetation which was replaced by dust.  Countless numbers of birds and other species were impacted.  The buffalo, elk, moose and deer were almost gone along with the bears, which were initially the reason the lake was named “Black Bear Lake”.  The black bears are gone, so now it is called Bear Lake.  Then came the 10-40 era in the 1960’s when the mountain lions, coyotes, eagles, badgers and hawks were randomly poisoned because of their perceived impact to livestock.  It painted a sad picture.   Where are we at now with the wildlife?  I want to relate a couple of recent stories to you.

The wildlife and humans are now living with each other.  Apparently summer home subdivisions as they mature with vegetation make perfect wildlife habitat.  When I first came in the 1970’s, seeing a moose was a big deal.  Not anymore.  People love them and don’t need to shoot them.  Carolyn and Marv Bywater live in a secluded, small and old group of houses up Swan Creek Canyon next to the boiling stream after it leaves Swan Spring.  Over the years they have had many interactions with wildlife.  The last couple of weeks have been unique.

In the middle of the night recently, they heard something “thump” on their deck.  Later, the next day, Carolyn heard a funny, bawling sound coming from under the deck.  She investigated and saw a tan, baby moose caught up under the framework, unable to turn around.  Carolyn, who is a spry, 83 year old gal, decided to do something about it, instead of just calling someone else on the phone.  Her neighbor, Pat Nickerson came over and Carolyn crawled under the deck to the two foot space where the calf was and tied a rope on its back legs.  Since she couldn’t move. Pat grabbed Carolyn by the ankles and started to drag the whole works out.  The moose broke free just as they got it out, went to the stream for a drink and drifted off into the trees.  I asked Carolyn if she was afraid of the moose stomping her and Pat to death, which is typically the scenario when somebody bothers a moose calf and she said “maybe a little” and then dismissed it.  Later she saw a cow with twins which was probably her saving grace.

If that wasn’t enough, a week later, after a bunch of friends had just left, Carolyn and Marv were sitting in their chairs when Zoie, their little dog, started barking and headed to the back, screen door.  Much to their surprise, on the other side of the screen was a cinnamon colored bear looking at them.  No one thought about taking a picture, but I believe it because Carolyn does not lie.  The little dog startled the bear, which bolted around and headed up past their garage to the south.  They had never seen a bear there before.  I can’t believe how lucky they were to see one.  Black bears are really not dangerous to humans and prefer to flee if possible.  Talk about living in harmony with the wildlife.

There are still bears, for sure, around Bear Lake and in a future column I will talk about them and the changing wildlife populations as they adapt to us humans, invading their habitat for a “good view of the Lake”.

Sails On The Lake

Photo by Mark Workman

Results of Garden City North School Board Primary

June Rich County School Board Meeting

Chris Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  June 14, 2016.  The Rich County school board held its regular monthly meeting. All members were present.

The board hired Connie England as a special education teacher for North Rich Elementary and will advertise for two part time support staff (classified) positions.

Jaren Wadsworth was named as an assistant volleyball coach.

The board opened its required public hearing on the 2016/2017 budget at 6:30 p.m. Richard Clark clarified that the preliminary data announced at the May meeting had been updated and made firm. There are significant changes from the May predictions, especially in that all the additional increase in assessed valuation was attributed to inflation and not to growth, hence there will be no additional revenue next year as growth due to inflation has to be modified by a tax rate reduction so that the total revenue stays flat. Some of the features of the new budget include:

1) A 2% across the board raise for all full time employees plus a one-time bonus of $1,000 for full time professional staff,

2) The health savings account amount will remain at $2600,

3) Bids for a new bus will be sought. The cost is expected to be near $139,000,

4) Expenditures in the district are expected to exceed revenues by approximately $200,000 in the next fiscal year, requiring the use of money in the reserve.

The board approved the amended budget proposal and then adopted it for 2016/2017. They also formally adopted the property tax rates in the amended budget. There is no proposed tax increase for the next year. It has been 9 years since a tax rate change has occurred that would require a truth-in-taxation hearing. If expenditures continue to exceed revenue there will come a time when the tax rate may have to be increased.

No citizens, apart from this reporter, attended the public hearing on the budget. The meeting was adjourned after less an hour in work, including the public hearing.