The Post Falls History Walk

Post Falls History Walk blends both art and history in a way to help citizens and tourists alike feel connected to our city.  Following the online map, walkers can visit important historical sites and "meet" past citizens of Post Falls who have made significant contributions to the quality of life we enjoy.

Fourth graders at Ponderosa Elementary School in Post Falls, Idaho have worked together with historian Kim Brown to create biographical summaries of each citizen featured on the Post Falls History Walk.  That information may be accessed by clicking on the names at the top of this home page.

The Post Falls History Walk project is a collaborative effort between the Post Falls Historical Society, the City of Post Falls, the Post Falls School District, and business owners in Post Falls.  It was recognized by the Idaho Historic Preservation Council in the summer of 2009 with an Orchid Award.

Historic text and research by:  Kimberly Rice Brown, Post Falls, ID

Sources:  Files Post Falls Historical Society, National Register of Historic Places  nominations, oral video histories, Kootenai County Genealogical Society Files,

personal conversations with the families of the historic figurines of Post Falls History Walk 2007-2008.

History Walk Route: National Register of Historic Places and Historic Locations

1. The Samuel and Ann Young home at 120 E. 4^th Avenue is one of Post Falls’ unaltered late Victorian-Queen Anne style architecture homes built c. 1900.  The Youngs were English immigrants.  Samuel was a hotel keeper, and raised poultry.  They were active in business and the community.  The home was later owned by Kate Peters and Oscar Reynolds.  The current owner is Tina Marie Schultz, and the home will become Rosa's, an Italian restaurant.  It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

2. The Jacklin Center of Arts and Culture at the Old Church at 405 William Street:  This old church, is a combination of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Gothic Revival style architecture (built 1890) and the Presbyterian Church of vernacular style architecture(built c.1899), which were located at other locations and united as the Community Presbyterian Church  at 4^th and William in 1921.  After the church was abandoned, the Community Building Partners and the Jacklin family and friends restored and renovated the church, which promotes cultural arts programs for the town.  The Old Church was listed on the National Register in 1984.

3. Treaty Rock Archaeological Site with access from W. 4^th Avenue. Located within the three acre Treaty Rock Park, this unique granite outcropping houses Native American pictographs or rock art.  Pictographs are found throughout the world, but often Native American men painted images of their dreams on cliffs or outcroppings.  Since it is estimated that the Coeur d’ Alene tribe obtained horses sometime after 1730, the pictograph of figures and horses were probably made after that time.

The rock carvings or petroglyphs, appear as June 1, 1871, Frederick Post.  Post was the founder of Post Falls.  There is no evidence that a treaty was signed here, but reference to the date and Frederick Post are found in the 1891 Treaty between the U.S. Government and the Coeur d’ Alene Tribe. (sketch available)

4. Washington Water Power Bridges:  These private bridges replaced older wooden structures in 1929-1930 and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The smaller bridge crosses the old Spokane Valley Irrigation Canal.  The main concrete reinforced arch bridge is one of the few remaining bridges of this kind in Idaho.  It accesses Avista Corporation’s hydroelectric facility, completed c. 1906 near the second channel of the river. 

5.The Spokane Valley Irrigation Canal & Corbin Ditch Head Gate: Located within Falls Park, the canal utilized the old mill race of Frederick Post to provide water from the Spokane River above the falls to the agricultural settlement of the Spokane Valley.

Begun through the efforts of Spokane developer, mining magnate, and railroad builder, Daniel Chase Corbin, the Spokane Valley Irrigation Canal portion within Falls Park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.  The head gate associated with the Corbin Ditch, was restored by the Post Falls Lions, the City of Post Falls, and the Post Falls Historical Society in 2004.

6.  Falls Park is a 22 acre mixed use and scenic overlook located near the first channel of the Spokane River at Post Falls.  Owned by Avista Corporation, it is leased to the City of Post Falls.  Within its borders are scenic wildflowers, spectacular view of the falls in spring and winter, a childrens’ fishing pond, and handicapped accessible trails and playground.  The park also features the earliest economic development of the town with historic signage.  Restrooms and parking are available for users.

7.  Q’emiln Riverside Park:  Dedicated on Frederick Post’s birthday, on September 16, 1989, in preparation of the state Centennial in 1990 and the city’s in 1991, the former   South Park was renamed Q’emiln Riverside Park.  That name, chosen in 1986 as the name for the 40 acre trail system west of the park, honored the area’s oldest history.  The Coeur d’ Alene Tribe who has lived in the area for thousands of years had a village near the falls named “Q’emiln(ka-mee’lin), meaning “throat of the river”.

            8. Captain John Mullan 14’ Marble Statue: honors the pioneer road builder

and his crews who constructed the first engineered road through the Inland Northwest  from 1859-1962.  The statue, one of seven, was designed by western frontier artist Edgar S. Paxton and dedicated to several Idaho communities in 1918 by the forerunners of the Montana and Idaho Historical Societies by the heirs of William A. Clark, Jr., one of the Montana copper kings.

PF HISTORY-WALK FIGURINE IDENTIFICATION

A.        Frederick Post

Founder of Post Falls

Mill owner-Businessman

1821-1908

Located at PF City Hall, 408 Spokane Street

2. Alphonso “Alf “ Webster

Co-owner of Farmers Trading Post

Two Term Mayor, Community Leader

1871-1946

Located at  318 Spokane Street

3. Dr. George Oliver (G.O.) Kildow

Post Falls Administrator and Educator

President of North Idaho College

1894-1962

Located at French's Cleaners, 102 E. 4th Avenue

D.        Walter F. Chapin

Longtime Pharmacist & Businessman

1889-1984

Future Mural to be located inside the Post Falls Historical Museum

E.         Edgar A. Seiter

Cannery Owner & Mayor

1902-1989

Located at Post Falls Dry Cleaners

606 N. Spokane Street

F.         Edward Lee Brugger

Businessman & Farmer

1885-1975

Located at Designer I Hair Fashions

702 N. Spokane Street

G.        William “Bill” Wilson

1^st Black Resident

 Truck Garden Owner, Friend

1872-1950

Located in the Post Falls Historical Museum

Spokane Street

H.        Evelyn M. Seyforth

1910-1983

Family Grocer & Church Historian

Located at Handy Mart, 312 N. Spokane Street

I.          Mary Long Eisenhauer

1893-1981

Beloved Teacher

Located at Post Falls Public Library in the Children's Section

J.       Walter Chapin's Children, Walter Jr. and Helen Chapin 

          Located near the entrance to the Post Falls Historical Museum

K.        Ian Waltz

1977-

First Post Falls Olympian Hopeful, Ranked #1 in USA, 2007

Located at G.W. Hunters Restaurant Steak House, 615 N. Spokane St.

Overview by Kimberly Rice Brown