Twin Falls Weekly News

The year 1907 was another one of rapid growth for Twin Falls. The town officially went from being a "village" to city of the 2nd class. The town was wired and, in August, electricity from the newly-completed power plant at Shoshone Falls was turned on. The sewer system was expanded with the addition of lateral lines, but continued to dump raw waste into Rock Creek. And, for the first time, townspeople could get around some sections of town on sidewalks.

The hospital was completed and began operation, funded in large part through contributions and charitable events held for its benefit. The volunteer fire department was better organized, and a fire alarm gong was purchased so that members living outside business section could be notified of fire. A telephone was even installed at the fire station.

In February, Twin Falls County was created, out of western end of Cassia County, by act of the state legislature. The new county was organized, commissioners appointed, a tax system established, road districts created, and all the other myriad of details completed that were required by the new organization. A herd district was a high priority so that grazing animals could be kept from eating the newly-planted trees in the towns.

There had been the occasional traveling motion picture show pass through Twin Falls, but this was the year the town got its very first theater. Called the "Majestic, and located on the second floor of the Bradley and Smith building, it boasted the latest projector, which was guaranteed to "prevent damage to the eyes."

This was also the year when other major new projects began in the Magic Valley. Backed largely by a group of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania capitalists, the north side irrigation project had begun. By year's end, canal construction was well along, land sales were brisk, and the new towns of Jerome and Wendell were abuilding. Grand plans were underway for an electric railway to connect the major towns on both the north and south sides. To the south of Twin Falls, the Salmon Tract project was underway; by December, work had begun on new town of Hollister, and on the Salmon Falls Creek dam. Despite fiscal problems in the East, the pioneers of Magic Valley were optimistic.

This index includes annotated references to local persons and businesses; to local news items; to all water projects; to all local births and deaths. Significant Idaho news stories and personages are noted, but national news and advertisements are, for the most part, excluded. Citations indicate month, day, year and page number.