Community History

At the end of June, a place of worship will pass into history as the Shelley Community United Methodist Church closes down.

The Shelley Pioneer, Shelley’s newspaper for over 100 years, first graced our avenues and streets back in 1906. But the scarcity of records from those days means that the paper's origins are still uncertain.

wo Shelley Junior High Schools burned to the ground 26 years apart. Yet, the circumstances surrounding their demise would make one think both fires were intentionally set. However, a closer look tells the real story.

As a sophomore, he had scrawled on the back edge of one of the bleachers, "Mike Loves Debbie." Debbie was his girlfriend at the time and has now been his wife for many years.

Ten years ago in the February 1, 2001 edition of the Shelley Pioneer, Orma Barker's letter to the editor titled "The last straw" appeared in the paper.

In November 1989, Marie Manwaring Anderson (1913-2002) wrote the histories of the Jameston and Taylor congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The history spans from 1834 to 1987 She also included brief histories of various families in the Jameston and Taylor areas.

This small town, nestled between Idaho Falls and Blackfoot, is a quiet place where old-timers grab a cup of coffee and a slice of pie at Mick's Home Cooking every morning and everyone religiously roots for the Shelley High School Russets. But buried deep in the local library’s attic you’ll find hidden tales of a dark past.

SHELLEY / FIRTH — Community Pioneer presents a historical view of both Firth and Shelley's Main Streets. As Community Pioneer works to gather historical photos and documents for the region's history, readers are encouraged to share their local photos and family histories. Please send them to tips@communitypioneer.com. Firth Main Street – 1920 Firth Main Street circa 1920 is from the eMike Fritz Collection Shelley's State Street – 1898 Shelley's State Street – 1910 Shelley's State …

In the fall of 1914, Lafe was serving as a village marshal for the young city of Shelley. Lafe, a strapping 28-year-old, had a wife and two children. His wife was soon to become a widow. His children, fatherless.