Scope and Content:
The Bear Lake County Historical Society collection, donated to Utah State University Special Collections in
the year of the society’s formation, comprises a variety of material relating to the growth and development of
Montpelier, Idaho, from 1811 - 1956. In particular, the collection contains the journal of Edward Burgoyne and
the records of T.L. Glenn, lawyer and mayor of Montpelier. In addition to this, there are ledgers from the
Montpelier Athletic Club and a school supply financial ledger. The exhibition notes of the Daughters of the
Utah Pioneers for their “Relic Room” displayed for Pioneer Days, along with news clippings are available in a
ledger. There is also a collection of receipts from residents Alf Stoner and David and Charlotte Hunter.
The Montpelier Pavilion Corporation records are also among these papers. The full collection is contained in two boxes.
Historical Note:
In May of 1991 the Bear Lake County Historical Society was founded by the Bear Lake County Commissioner’s, Ordinance 91-01, according to the wishes of Commissioner Ron Law and DUP County Pres. Lois Lee Hulme for the purpose of creating a museum to hold relics and artifacts for the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, as well as to begin collections of local railroad memorabilia, histories and artifacts. A board of directors headed first by Hulme and later by Bear Lake Valley residents, Allene Daines, Ruth Nelson, John Cook and Sherry Brown. In 1998 the historical society’s museum, named the Rails and Trails Museum, eventually moved from its original location in the old Burgoyne Hotel to the lower floor of the National Oregon/California Trail Center. There it works in a separate, but complimentary function to the trail center and is open Monday through Saturday, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Sources:
Updated January 9, 2004 by BLCHS Pres. Sherry Brown and former board member, Rosa Moosman, using original BLCHS documents.
Box Inventory
Box 1:
Fd 1: Montpelier Athletic Club Ledger: Page 1-36 of this ledger is a monthly record form Dec. 1926-Jan. 1937 of money spent in a possible athletic club. Blank until page 65 where there is an itemized listing of each club member and amount paid to the club.
Fd 2: School Supply Financial Ledger: Financial ledger form 1909-1911. Exact purpose is unknown, but is probably a record of the money a school spent for supplies, and from whom they were bought. Copmpanies include: Atlas School Supply Co.-Chicago, AB Chaffee Co.-Pocatello, Rand McNally-Chicago, W.R. Siders-Pocatello.
Fd 3: DUP "Relic Room" Exibit Notes:
Fd 3a: Ledger includes a newspaper clipping from July 30, 1920 which tells of a soon established "relic room". The room, a project of Mrs. O. H. Groo and Mrs. Ashley, exibits relics of pioneer days. Itemize notes of donated/borrowed relics for the exibition. It also gives a description of the item and who donated it.
Fd 3b: Two hand-written pages that were taken from fd. 3a. Written in 1933, and tells of the relic exibit established in 1920. Tells that in 1927 the relics were turned over to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Then follows a list of the most valued treasures in the exibit.
Fd 3c: One hand-written page found in fd. 3a. The page tells the ancestry of Pernecy Francis Allen Williams. She was born Jan. 27, 1842, and died Nov. 23, 1893.
Fd 4: Montpelier Pavilion Corporation Record: Montpelier Pavilion Co. Corporation Record begins Jan. 1906. Consists of: Articles of Incorporation, by-laws, list of stock holders, minutes of meetings. Also includes certificates of stock reissued or canceled, transfer records, dividend book, and bills payable.
Fd 5: Journal of Edward Burgoyne: Edward Burgoyne's private journal in photocopy. First entries are from England and Wales. Later entries concerned Burgoyne store accounts, including names and amounts owed to store. Included also are pgs. of geneology. Edward was born in Wales on Feb. 22, 1835. He converted to the Mormon church and travelled to Utah. He settled in Cache Valley, set up, and operated the first carding mill and loom in that territory. In 1864 he moved to what is now Montpelier. Burgoyne became one of the largest real-estate owners of the city. In 1880 he started the Burgoyne Mercantile Co., which became a very prosperous and booming store.
Fd 6: Collection of receipts, memorabilia and correspondence from Montpelier residents. Arranged by name where possible.
Fd 6a: Alf Stoner's personal receipts. Receipts range from 1907-1913, and include Electric bill receipts, receipt for the Montpelier Examiner, and others.
Fd 6b: David and Charlotte Hunter's personal receipts. Tax receipts as old as 1875. Tithing receipts from 1908. Receipt from the Burgoyne Store, and other personal receipts. Also contains a personal post card.
Fd 6c: Contains miscellaneous memorabilia. Contains playbill for the King George V. Theatre, price scale for sewing stockings from 1811 to 1842, certificate of ordination to the L.D.S. priesthood for Nathaniel J. Snyder, and Zions Bank remakes of Kirtland money and early Salt Lake Valley money.
Fd 6d: Items from 1933-56. Personal items of Dr. G.L. Rees, Molen Rees, and A.R. Munk.
Box 2:
Fd 1: Miles Milling Company ledger dated 1928-1934. This Montpelier company sold mostly flour, wheat, and corn, but also oil and coal to individuals and various companies such as to Skaggs Safeway Store, Jones Market, Home Bakery, Royal Bakery, and Grand Cafe.
Fd 2: Receipts of T.L. Glenn-Attorney: T.L. Glenn's personal and professional receipts. Glenn was an Attorney. Receipts from 1898-1906.