Idaho City in Boise County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
George Kettler's Blacksmith Shop
1889
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 3, 2018
1. George Kettler's Blacksmith Shop Marker
Inscription.
George Kettler's Blacksmith Shop. This building was originally George Kettler's Blacksmith shop, built in 1889 with ox and horse shoeing sheds on both sides. As the horse and buggy gave way to the automobile, it became an early garage. In 1947, it was acquired by Tom and Florence Adams as the print shop for "The Idaho Mountaineer" when they purchased the newspaper. Using a linotype machine that dated from 1904 and a press from 1886, they persevered in putting out the publication once a week. In 1963, Idaho's Territorial Centennial Year, 100 years after the establishment of the first newspaper in Idaho City -- the second in the state -- the Adams's returned the name to "The Idaho World" after a lapse of 45 years. , When Tom Adams died in 1975, the building was shut intact, and only occasionally shown to guests. In the late 1970's, when it began to structurally deteriorate, Mrs. Florence Adams commissioned San Aarons to reinforce the building using original posts and beam methods, ultimately saving the structure. , After remaining vacant for many years, it was sold and renovated for commercial use in 1990 as the Happy Burro Trad'n Post. It then became the Growling Bear: sporting goods and gifts. In 2008 it became the home of the Cowboy Fast Draw Association.
This building was originally George Kettler's Blacksmith shop, built in 1889 with ox and horse shoeing sheds on both sides. As the horse and buggy gave way to the automobile, it became an early garage. In 1947, it was acquired by Tom and Florence Adams as the print shop for "The Idaho Mountaineer" when they purchased the newspaper. Using a linotype machine that dated from 1904 and a press from 1886, they persevered in putting out the publication once a week. In 1963, Idaho's Territorial Centennial Year, 100 years after the establishment of the first newspaper in Idaho City -- the second in the state -- the Adams's returned the name to "The Idaho World" after a lapse of 45 years.
When Tom Adams died in 1975, the building was shut intact, and only occasionally shown to guests. In the late 1970's, when it began to structurally deteriorate, Mrs. Florence Adams commissioned San Aarons to reinforce the building using original posts and beam methods, ultimately saving the structure.
After remaining vacant for many years, it was sold and renovated for commercial use in 1990 as the Happy Burro Trad'n Post. It then became the Growling Bear: sporting goods and gifts. In 2008 it became the home of the Cowboy Fast Draw Association.
Erected by Marshall Hopper and The Idaho Shootists.
Topics. This
Click or scan to see this page online
historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 43° 49.614′ N, 115° 49.982′ W. Marker is in Idaho City, Idaho, in Boise County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Main Street and East Walulla Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 Main Street, Idaho City ID 83631, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. The marker is located on the left side of the building.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 3, 2018
2. George Kettler's Blacksmith Shop and Marker
The marker is on the left side of the building.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2018. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.