History of the Springs

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0018dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photo Tour"><U><B>Photo Tour</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="services_near_maple_grove_hot_springs_in_idaho_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nearby Services"><U><B>Nearby Services</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="recreation_opportunities_near_maple_grove_hot_springs_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recreation"><U><B>Recreation</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="rates_and_hours_of_maple_grove_hot_springs_in_se_idaho_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Rates and Hours"><U><B>Rates and Hours</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="hot_springs_lodging.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lodging at Maple Grove Hot Springs"><U><B>Lodging at Maple Grove Hot Springs</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="the_gift_of_maple_grove.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Give the Gift of Maple Grove"><U><B>Give the Gift of Maple Grove</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="contact_maple_grove_hot_springs_for_reservations_or_questions_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U><B>Contact Us</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="campsites_at_maple_grove_hot_springs_in_se_idaho_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Campsites"><U><B>Campsites</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="maple_grove_hot_springs_news_and_events.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Events and New Info"><U><B>Events and New Info</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="get_directions_to_maple_grove_hot_springs_located_in_se_idaho_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Directions"><U><B>Directions</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="places_to_stay_near_maple_grove_hot_springs_in__southeastern_idaho_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Other Overnight Accommodations "><U><B>Other Overnight Accommodations </B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="maple_grove_hot_springs_is_off_the_grid.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Left of Center, Off of the Grid"><U><B> Left of Center, Off of the Grid</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="frequently_asked_questions_about_maple_grove_hot_springs.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FAQ"><U><B>FAQ</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id14.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Other Hot Springs"><U><B>Other Hot Springs</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="weather_at_maple_grove_hot_springs.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Weather and webcam"><U><B>Weather and webcam</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0028dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Maple Grove Hot Springs</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Maple Grove Hot Springs"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div>                                                   </div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0028dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>History of the Springs</I></div> <div>      As with all hot springs this one was used by Native Americans before Europeans arrived. I don't know much of the history before it was settled by a homesteading family (Hopkins) in the early 1900's. There are a few statements I can make about the springs before the Hopkins moved here... Native peoples consider hot springs "sacred" and as all sacred places were treated as "neutral territory" (no war allowed). These were used for ceremonial purposes according to our local paper. Hot springs have been used for more than 10,000 years since arrival of the Paleo-Indians on this continent for bathing, cooking and healing.</div> <div>      We are lucky enough to have a written memoir of Gladys Hopkins Eckersley who spent her childhood here when her family settled the hot springs. I have also had the joy of visiting with some of the other former owners and hearing many folks loving old memories of the place, here are some.</div> <div>      The Hopkins family settled here about 1910, for 2 years they lived in a woodsided tent while barns etc. were completed. When the house was complete the Hopkins built a woodsided swimming pool which has been updated over the years but still is in use today, they also had some small private baths which no longer exist. People called the place Hopkins Hot Springs and the Hopkins allowed people to camp (some a month at a time) and soak, some people even bought meals at the family table. Unfortunately at the time white people would not share a pool with "indians" so the Hopkins dug another pool for them. Every summer Native Americans would come down from Fort Hall and camp in what is now our campground to fish, hunt and soak. The memoirs have many wonderful memories, like the first car, in the story which is available to read while you visit. After Charles Hopkins death in 1921 the family sold the place to the Jepsen family.</div> <div>      The Jepsens bought it hoping for comfort and relief from rhematism suffered by Mrs. Jepsen. They built a small dip near the old house along side the hot springs where they could lift her in and out in a chair. This summer I am hoping to visit with some of the surviving family for more details of Jepsen Hot Spring. The Jepsens sold the springs in 1945 to the Kershaw family.</div> <div>      The Kershaw family named it Maple Grove Hot Springs and did a tremendous amount of work. I have had the pleasure of visiting with Dee Kershaw whose father and older brother (Devon) owned Maple Grove. He is a wealth of information with really clear memories and great stories! The Kershaws built the poolhouse in 1945, and the finest chicken coop that fowl ever enjoyed ( hot water radiant floor heat and an amazing view of the river). This building is the future home of our shrimp project, unless we decide it is too fine for them and make it into a lodge. The poolhouse was home to a fine burger bar, I have heard many comments from past visitors on the "best cheesburgers" (Thatcher cheese). The pool was open Summers and the family also had horse breeding and training, in addition to the chickens. </div> <div>      The winters would effectively close the road but the river did not usually freeze hard and so boating to and from Hwy 34 or a bobsled pulled by horses was the method of transport. Dee often stayed with friends or family during the school week and came home on weekends. The chickens of course produced eggs all winter and the family needed supplies (chicken feed) so they would bring eggs out and supplies back. In the cold they would fill a milk can full of the hot spring water and use it for a heater in the sled. Eight years later Dee and Devons father was told to move to Arizona for his health, Devon's construction business was pulling him to Salt Lake City and so he leased it to the Panters who ran Maple Grove for another 10 years. When the Panters decided not to lease Maple Grove any more Devon Kershaw sold it ~ 1963 to a Corporation planning to raise and sell algae. I have also been told there were rumors of a new dam that would flood out Maple Grove and that perhaps it was bought speculating that the compensation would be good. At any rate operating the commercial hot springs was not on their agenda and they sold it in 1975 to Currie Lockett.</div> <div>      Currie Lockett loved Maple Grove but was a bit more reclusive. He did not want to operate the springs commercially and was bothered quite a bit by the trespassing and vandalism that went on in his absence. Many different folks were temporary caretakers during this time and Currie was here as often as possible but did not live here full time. Much damage was done through vandalism and neglect to the old pool and poolhouse. The original home had burned down from a flu fire during the time that Devon Kershaw owned it, Currie built a cabin  on the old spot and started a greenhouse. </div> <div>      In 1999 Currie Lockett sold Maple Grove to us and we embarked on a major renovation. We wanted to raise shrimp but I wanted to open up the commercial hot springs again first since we had experience with that. Four years of hard work later (2003) we were able to open Maple Grove to the public again. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0475e900.jpg" border=0 width="350" height="144" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  This is what the pool looked like when we arrived - 1999. Rob is cleaning the pool for the first time, it's easier now and does not require a tractor:).</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="049f4930.jpg" border=0 width="500" height="147" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">     After we cleared the dirt, trash and debris from the pool we ran new piping and filled it up-Summer 1999.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="04b5ef80.jpg" border=0 width="350" height="248" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  Here is the farthest tub after completion in 2000 with "Jones"- the hot springs guardian and beloved friend (1997-2004). </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0d063200.jpg" border=0 width="355" height="288" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> Spring 2001 the pathway to tubs and stairs were completed by Larry our newest spirit guardian and dearly missed father/friend April 3, 1942 - March 5, 2008.</div> <div>         </div> <div>      </div> </td> </tr></table></body>