Oral Histories
Don Lanier
As the keeper and teller of stories of the Sawtooth Salmon River Country, SIHA maintains a library of oral histories and continues to acquire more. These interviews teach us about the colorful and influential individuals who shaped our community. There are vivid characters who tell about the old Ace of Diamonds Dance Hall, the first sheriff in Stanley, and life with the U.S. Forest Service when the Sawtooth National Recreation Area was first established.
If you have knowledge of the Sawtooth-Salmon River Country in the early days or know of someone who does, please contact us at 208-774-3517 (summer only), or send us an email.
Dale Jensen, early 1950s Game Warden
Oral histories (some in MP3 format) soon will be available on this site. Prior to that, if you would like to listen to a particular interview, please contact us at 208-774-3517 (summer only).
Interviews
We have interviews of the following people:
- Shirley Linford Athy – (audio and written transcript)
- Jim Bennetts – interviewed by SIHA, 2008
- Iris Boyd – interviewed by SIHA, 2006
- Sandy Brooks – interviewed by Forest Service staff, 1974
- Howard Brown – interviewed by SIHA, 2008
- Tom and Aileen Chivers – interviewed by SIHA, 2008
- (video and written transcript) interviewed by the Community Library Association, Ketchum ID, 1983; on ranching in the Stanley Basin - Stella Critchfield – interviewed by Forest Service staff, 1974
- Bob Cole – interviewed by SIHA, 2008
- Dean Cronmiller - audio interview by SIHA 2009
- Alta Ellis – interviewed by Forest Service staff, 1974
- Virginia Finkelnburg – interviewed by SIHA, 2008; on life in the Sawtooths as a wife and mother
Jack Lavin
- Mattie Hansen – interviewed by Sawtooth Mountain Mamas, 1990
- Mel Jensen audio interview SIHA 2009 early Redfish Lake Lodge owner
- Swan and Mary Jering – interviewed by Sawtooth Mountain Historical Program, 2002
- Tom Kovalicky – SIHA, Sawtooth Forum and Lecture Series presentation, 2008
- Interviewed by SIHA, 2008; on his time in Stanley as a Forest Service Ranger - Don Lanier – interviewed by SIHA, 2009 (video)
- Lanier family members – interviewed by SIHA, 2009
- Gordon Larson – interviewed by SIHA, 2008
- Jack Lavin – interviewed by SIHA, 2009
-
Joe Leonard (and son)
Joe Leonard – interviewed by SIHA, 2008; on his time in Stanley as a mountaineer and backcountry guide
- Edna McGown – interviewed by Forest Service staff, 1974
- interviewed by Sawtooth Mountain Mamas, 1998
- (written transcript only) interviewed by Community Library Association, Ketchum, ID, 1983; on family history and life in the Sawtooths
- reception at Stanley Museum, 1993 - Kelly and Elberta McKean – interviewed by Sawtooth Mountain Centennial Project, 1995
- Sadie Merritt – interviewed by Forest Service Staff, 1974
- Merritt Family – interviewed by Sawtooth Mountain Mamas, 1974
- Jack Seagraves – interviewed by Forest Service staff, 1974
- Shaw family members – interviewed by Sawtooth Mountain Mamas, 1995
- Judy Smith – interviewed by SIHA, 2009
- Bill Sullivan – interviewed by Sawtooth Mountain Mamas, 1974 and 1988
- Marie Sullivan (Williams) – interviewed by Sawtooth Mountain Mamas, 1988
- Dick Waite – interviewed by SIHA, 2008
- Margurite Wells, Illene Wells-Burr and Iris Burr – interviewed by SIHA, 2006
- Carrie Williams – interviewed by Forest Service staff, 1974
- Morgan and Tiny Williams – interviewed by Forest Service staff, 1974
- interviewed by Sawtooth Mountain Mamas, 1988 - Ted Williams -interviewed by Forest Service staff, 1974
- Dan Wooley - interviewed by Forest Service staff, 1974
Other interviews available:
- Betty Baker interviewed by Mike Kalinik, Clayton Historical Society; on the history of cattle ranching
- Marion McDaniel interviewed by John Rose, Challis Forest Service; on the history of sheep ranching in the 1950s
- Mel Spooner interviewed by John Rose, Challis Forest Service; on his time in WWII and a history of Custer Museum
- John Winegartner and his sister interviewed by John Rose, Challis Forest Service; on working at Rough Neck and Sleeping Deer Lookouts
