History: Walk Through Time
This story was printed in the Minidoka County News in Rupert, Idaho, August 2006
By LISA DAYLEY
Minidoka County News
Anna Dunn regularly stitched away in her dress shop making clothing for Rupert residents.
Patrons visiting her business neighboring the old Caledonian Hotel possibly never knew Dunn was a survivor of Titanic proportions.
On April 10, 1912, and at the age of 17, Dunn found herself in a lifeboat as the “Ship of Dreams” sunk into the ocean. Dunn was one of 705 passengers who made it to the 20 lifeboats. The RMS Carpathia later rescued Titanic survivors. More than 1,500 people drowned following the sinking of a ship touted to be unsinkable.
Dunn’s story will be highlighted during the first ever “Walk Thru History” scheduled beginning at 8:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 7, and Friday, Sept. 8, starting at the Wilson Theatre. The Walk Thru features a trip to the Minidoka, Acequia, and Rupert (MAR) Cemetery where a walking tour of various pioneers’ graves will be given. Descendents of those first Rupert residents, dressed in period clothing, will portray early settlers at pioneers’ graves. Following the tour, visitors will return to the Wilson where refreshments will be served.
“I remember Anna. She said it was so cold,” said Robert Christiansen who along with several other Rupert residents has organized the event.
The Walk Thru History is being held to honor early Rupert pioneers and to help celebrate Rupert’s 100th birthday.
“There is so much history out there at the cemetery,” Christiansen said.
Free tickets will be offered for the walk thru. In all 240 people will have the chance to attend the event. Each tour will consist of 20 people with a total of six tours each night.
Luminary bags will light the cemetery. Live music will play in the background while visitors take their walking tour.
Holding the walk thru at night will be more effective, Christiansen said.
“I think it’s more ideal,” she said.
The event won’t be anything like an October 31 cemetery visit, Christiansen said.
“This is definitely not Halloween. This is history. There’s going to be nothing freaky,” Christiansen said.
During the tour, visitors will learn about George and Alice Montgomery who operated the aptly dubbed Montgomery Ferryboat that transported residents across the Snake River. They’ll also discover the cemetery is the final resting-place of American Civil War veterans William Brown and William R Ravenscraft. Other history tidbits include stories of Monty Hunter who was the first child born in Rupert. Also included are August and Bertha DeNaughel, the town’s first newlyweds.
It’s hoped the walk thru will promote more interest in Rupert’s beginnings.
“It’s to bring these pioneers to life,” Christiansen said.
Christiansen got the idea for such an event after visiting her husband Ike’s home state of Iowa where such walk thrus are routine.
“It’s a really a big deal. They do it every year,” she said.
Christiansen is hoping the Rupert community will make the Walk Thru History a yearly tradition in Rupert.
“I’m hoping someone will pick this up and do it every year,” Christiansen said.
Christiansen marvels at the pioneers’ fortitude.
“They didn’t have anything. They came out here on faith that they would make a living,” she said.
Many were welcomed with grime.
“They would step off the train and were greeted with eight inches of fine dust. To get water they had to go into town to middle of the Square,” she said.
Somehow the desert bloomed.
“They got it to blossom like a rose. This is a wonderful place to live. I’m so thankful people settled here and gave us the opportunity to raise our families here,” Christiansen said.
Also check out the following Famous American Battles" Native Americans in Cassia County","Quilting in Idaho" The Bonneville Flood in Cassia County and The History of Shorthand
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By LISA DAYLEY
Minidoka County News
Anna Dunn regularly stitched away in her dress shop making clothing for Rupert residents.
Patrons visiting her business neighboring the old Caledonian Hotel possibly never knew Dunn was a survivor of Titanic proportions.
On April 10, 1912, and at the age of 17, Dunn found herself in a lifeboat as the “Ship of Dreams” sunk into the ocean. Dunn was one of 705 passengers who made it to the 20 lifeboats. The RMS Carpathia later rescued Titanic survivors. More than 1,500 people drowned following the sinking of a ship touted to be unsinkable.
Dunn’s story will be highlighted during the first ever “Walk Thru History” scheduled beginning at 8:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 7, and Friday, Sept. 8, starting at the Wilson Theatre. The Walk Thru features a trip to the Minidoka, Acequia, and Rupert (MAR) Cemetery where a walking tour of various pioneers’ graves will be given. Descendents of those first Rupert residents, dressed in period clothing, will portray early settlers at pioneers’ graves. Following the tour, visitors will return to the Wilson where refreshments will be served.
“I remember Anna. She said it was so cold,” said Robert Christiansen who along with several other Rupert residents has organized the event.
The Walk Thru History is being held to honor early Rupert pioneers and to help celebrate Rupert’s 100th birthday.
“There is so much history out there at the cemetery,” Christiansen said.
Free tickets will be offered for the walk thru. In all 240 people will have the chance to attend the event. Each tour will consist of 20 people with a total of six tours each night.
Luminary bags will light the cemetery. Live music will play in the background while visitors take their walking tour.
Holding the walk thru at night will be more effective, Christiansen said.
“I think it’s more ideal,” she said.
The event won’t be anything like an October 31 cemetery visit, Christiansen said.
“This is definitely not Halloween. This is history. There’s going to be nothing freaky,” Christiansen said.
During the tour, visitors will learn about George and Alice Montgomery who operated the aptly dubbed Montgomery Ferryboat that transported residents across the Snake River. They’ll also discover the cemetery is the final resting-place of American Civil War veterans William Brown and William R Ravenscraft. Other history tidbits include stories of Monty Hunter who was the first child born in Rupert. Also included are August and Bertha DeNaughel, the town’s first newlyweds.
It’s hoped the walk thru will promote more interest in Rupert’s beginnings.
“It’s to bring these pioneers to life,” Christiansen said.
Christiansen got the idea for such an event after visiting her husband Ike’s home state of Iowa where such walk thrus are routine.
“It’s a really a big deal. They do it every year,” she said.
Christiansen is hoping the Rupert community will make the Walk Thru History a yearly tradition in Rupert.
“I’m hoping someone will pick this up and do it every year,” Christiansen said.
Christiansen marvels at the pioneers’ fortitude.
“They didn’t have anything. They came out here on faith that they would make a living,” she said.
Many were welcomed with grime.
“They would step off the train and were greeted with eight inches of fine dust. To get water they had to go into town to middle of the Square,” she said.
Somehow the desert bloomed.
“They got it to blossom like a rose. This is a wonderful place to live. I’m so thankful people settled here and gave us the opportunity to raise our families here,” Christiansen said.
Also check out the following Famous American Battles" Native Americans in Cassia County","Quilting in Idaho" The Bonneville Flood in Cassia County and The History of Shorthand
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