Idaho First National Bank stayed in the annex at the west end of the grocery store in Council all through the 1960s. Don Strickfaden managed the bank until 1963 when Robert Kniefel took over. Robert Wood was assistant manager.
In November of 1965 the Glenns Ferry Bank, Ltd. opened a new office in Cambridge. It was the first bank there since about 1927. The bank was managed by Donald M. Withers, with Norman Hansen as assistant manager and Phyllis Widner of Midvale as teller and bookkeeper.
In early 1968 Bob Wood became manager of the Cambridge bank. By then it was the Idaho State Bank. Meanwhile the Leader said, “Wm. E. Irvin, President of the Idaho First National Bank, announced the promotion of William E. Daniels as Pro-Manager of the Council office. Daniels returns to Council, where he began his banking career in 1958. In 1967 he left the Council bank and joined the bank’s Audit Staff, where he has been until this time. Daniels will assist the manager of the Council office, Edwin D. Kessler, in operations and also in credit matters.”
In 1970 the Council Bank decided to build it’s own building and purchased the lot where the bank sits today, on the northwest corner of Illinois Avenue and Fairfield Street.
Adams County Leader, May 14, 1970: “Burtenshaw Building Moved to South Council – When the Idaho First National Bank recently purchased property at the east end of the Council business district on which to locate a new, modern bank building, it was discovered that it owned one of the oldest commercial buildings left in Council. Originally built around 1903 by L. L. Burtenshaw, it was used as his law office until his death around 1940. Later it was used as a real estate office by M. C. Imler until his retirement, and most recently by Jenkins TV and Appliance. The building’s original condition has been largely retained and it still appears basically as sound as when it was built. In an effort to preserve this landmark, the bank donated the building to the Hells Canyon Rod and Gun Club and through the donated equipment of Boise Cascade Logging Division and the efforts of the club members, the building was moved to the club ground south of town where it will be placed on a new foundation and converted to a clubhouse.”
That building still sits south Council, just north of the IOOF Cemetery and has once again been placed on a new foundation. The most recent use was as headquarters for the “Bottomless Pit” store.
Construction began on the new bank building in the spring of 1971. The Leader noted, “Three large maple trees on the property have been incorporated into the exterior landscaping.” (One of these trees was cut down after wind damage in 2016.)
Adams County Leader, July 22, 1971: “The new Council office of the Idaho First National Bank will be opened for business on Friday, July 30, at their new location. The ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., followed by an open house. C.W. Hilleboe, the president of the City Council, will cut the ribbon, assisted by Thomas C. Frye, President of the Idaho First National Bank, Don Menter, President of the Council Chamber of Commerce, and Ed Kesler, local branch manager.”
The August 5 issue of the Leader reported more on the grand opening and features of the new bank, plus pictures: “Besides the enlarged and modernized office space, a new feature has been added, ‘The Branding Iron Lounge.’ The boards on three sides of this room were originally used to build a Homestead house on a dry land farm in the Mundy Gulch area of Indian Valley some 80 years ago. The house was abandoned in the 1920s and stood vacant for over 40 years. The farm is presently owned by Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Keppinger of Indian Valley who generously donated the house to the Idaho First National Bank for its present purpose. The bricks that now adorn the south wall were made in the Brickyard at Weiser, and were used in the old Council schoolhouse that was built in 1907 and used until condemned in 1957. About 70 ranchers brought their branding irons to burn their brands into blocks of wood that will be hung in the room.”
Continued next week.
100 years ago
January 16, 1925
Most of the ice that has been harvested runs from 8 to 4 inches thick and clear as crystal.
In a court case last week in Weiser, the county was suing the bondsman for County monies lost in the Weiser National Bank at the time of the failure of that institution. The verdict was rendered in favor of the defendants. The county has lost the money on deposit, except that which was covered by liability insurance. “The case was lost on a technicality, we are informed.”
75 years ago
January 12, 1950
Mr. and Mrs. Murray Solders of Kamiah are the parents of a daughter born January 5. Mrs. Solders is the former Maxine Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Williams.
A son Tom was born January 4 to Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Woody at the Council hospital.
Idaho’s 1949 polio epidemic set a new all-time high with a number of cases reported. During the year, 509 cases were reported.
49 years ago
January 8, 1976
Died: Elaine Ledbetter, 50, of Cambridge.
“Due to the growing number of hard measles cases in the Twin Falls area, the possibility of the measles ‘movin’ on’ to Boise, and Southwest Idaho is also growing. The Southwest District Health Department therefore urges people in this area to make sure they are adequately protected against measles. The incidence of measles declined dramatically from 1966 as a result of vaccination. Since reaching an all-time low in 1969, the incidence of measles has increased due to the slackening of immunization efforts.
25 years ago
January 13, 2000
Died: Estella Mae Moritz, 91, Council. She was born in 1908 at Indian Valley, the daughter of Edward and Cherokee Murphy Martin, pioneers of Indian Valley. She married Todd Moritz 1933.
Died: Arthur “Art” Deeds, 75, Council. He married Alice Longfellow in 1946.
