Although the Meetinghouse and Brick Store functioned into the 1950s and families still lived in some of the homes, Chesterfield had become a ghost town of pioneer spirit. What has changed since then? Not much. Although most of the land has been used for agriculture, the buildings remain in an untouched natural setting. Progress never invaded to add so much as a gas pump to this once bustling community, and thanks to the help of the Chesterfield Foundation which was formed in 1981, the Idaho State Historical Society, visitors, community, and family support, it never will. The short-lived community of Chesterfield sent families into all parts of the west, taking a piece of Chesterfield with them. Is it a part of you? The Townsite is open to visitors for tours Memorial Day through Labor Day, and year round for a byway drive through. Many of the homes have been restored and furnished to their original detail showing the care the settlers had for their homes. See the faces of these settlers in the many photographs displayed in the museum which was once the meetinghouse. The museum is cared for by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Take a wagon tour to feel the pace of their lives while listening to stories of life on the frontier. Stay overnight in camping facilities or nearby towns. Group eating and reunion areas are available as well as personalized tours and activities for church, educational, and family groups. Wander the old implement yard and say hello to a working blacksmith. Stop for a sarsaparilla and a candy stick in the old log store and try a few original pioneer hand games. See the small home where Chester Call raised 11 children or the remains of the Ruger’s mud dugout. Visit the cemetery and reflect on unmarked pioneer grave markers. See firsthand the archeological work of ongoing projects, including the restoration of the tithing office, reconstruction of the Amusement Hall, where dances are still held, reconstruction of the brick schoolhouse that burned down in 1920, and more excavation projects. With all that, we’ve just scratched the surface. The wonder of Chesterfield is what is now there, and what has always been there: an untouched stretch of wilderness, a trail leading to prosperity, and a unique look at how the West began. Experience for yourself the life of a pioneer. Come to rediscover Chesterfield.

Mark Stephen Jensen, great grandson of Denmark and Lucina Jensen reports that part of his "to do" list for this year has been completed, and part will be completed in the coming weeks so that the cabin will be ready for open house on Memorial Day. Mark says that it is time to re-whitewash the insides of the cabin, and he hopes to finish the upstairs sleeping loft. Mark’s talented wife Marolyn has finished the period quilt she has been working on for three years, and it is ready to go on the Denmark and Lucina bed. She’s finishing a braided wool rug to go with the quilt, and has washed all the cabin curtains and has them ready to re-hang. Marolyn has also made dolls for the Memorial Day auction. Mark and his friend, Bill Luddy, both active Chesterfield supporters, have made a wood box filled with wood for the cabin, and have done a good deal of general maintenance work on the cabin. Their next outside projects include building a clothesline, and moving the outhouse. Mark and Bill also help with other projects around Chesterfield, like spraying for noxious weeds and re-chinking the bathroom by the burnt-out school. Mark also enjoys picking berries—service and chokecherry—which Marolyn makes into jelly for the Barlow Log Store. The Jensen's look forward to welcoming sitors to the Denmark and Lucina Jensen cabin again this year, and hope that lots of descendants also visit.

One of the most interesting figures in the history of Chesterfield is Ruth Piede Call Davids.  As a young Piede Indian girl she was stolen from her tribe by another Indian band and subsequently offered for sale to the Anson Call family in Utah. When they realized it would not be possible to reunite Ruth with her mother and other family members, the Calls took Ruth in and raised her as their own   She later married James Henry Davids, a skilled mason , horseman and handyman.  In Chesterfield, Ruth played a significant role. More is known about her service and sacrifice than of many other women of the day. She was a noted seamstress, made remarkable rugs and acted as midwife for many births in the area. Ruth and Henry’s cabin was in a terrible state, as you can see.  It was located just south of the Chesterfield Townsite along Hansen Road.  This fall Chesterfield volunteers, with permission from the Davids family and the Idaho Historical Society began the process of dismantling, labeling and moving the cabin to a location on the Townsite where it will be reconstructed. It will be exciting to be able to tell ‘Aunt’ Ruth’s story within the walls of her own home!  

While the Chesterfield Townsite is known as the "Treasure of the Upper Portneuf Valley," within the Townsite there are special treasures to be discovered. One of the best is found at the Blacksmith Shop. That’s Tom Moore, the Blacksmith. Because of Tom, the Blacksmith Shop is one of the most popular places to visit in Chesterfield. Not only does Tom show visitors how to make a rope or a "horseshoe ring," but he is an expert on all the antique tools. The collection of all types and shapes of horse and oxen shoes, which were all made by Tom, is a favorite. Tom has endless knowledge, and he always has a trick or two in his pocket. This year, a special corner of the Little Log Store will be set aside for Tom’s treasures, and many will be available for purchase, so the laughter and fun can be spread throughout the nation. Tom grew up in Hatch, just over the hill from Chesterfield. He began helping with farm work at a very early age, plowing with a one-bottom plow and three horses. He was shoeing horses when he was 13.When World War II began, Tom was drafted into the Army and was assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he served in the saddle and harness shop and as a Ferrier in the Cavalry Division. He spent nearly three years repairing tack and helping shoe nearly 4,000 horses until the division was disbanded." I really enjoyed it," says Tom. "I was my own boss most of the time. I was one of the few who had worked with horses before." Tom earned respect soon after he was drafted. "They came to us and wanted us to prepare a team of horses for an upcoming parade," he remembers. "No one knew how to harness a team and I just kept my mouth shut. About a week before the parade, I told them I would do it if I got to pick the horses. By then they were willing to give me anything if I could get a team ready for the parade. They gave me my pick and I had a beautiful team. I took them out and worked them for a few days and we were ready for the parade. After that, they pretty much gave me free rein." When the war ended and Tom came home, he went to Weiser when a neighbor needed someone to ride the train to take care of his cattle. In Weiser, Tom met his future wife Jean. She recalls "I was on the front porch just leaving on a date when Tom showed up and said he was there to pick up a horse to break for my father. So I, my date and my parents went out with Tom to get the horse. On the way back with the horse, Tom asked me to go on a date with him, with my boyfriend walking behind us, talking to my parents." Four months later they were married and returned to Bancroft. Eventually Tom went to work for the Idaho State Transportation Department, but he still shod horses. Tom was inducted into the Horseman’s Hall of Fame in 2003 and, along with Jean, was the Grand Marshall of the 2006 Bancroft 24^th of July Parade, and was also honored for 25 years as a Hunter Education instructor. When you come to Chesterfield, don’t miss the chance to visit with Tom, make a rope or a ring, and hear him share a story or two--and let him show you his "original quarter-pounder."

Free Summer Concerts in Chesterfield

For the first time, the Chesterfield Foundation will be hosting three free concerts this summer. Come to the Townsite and enjoy an evening of great entertainment! Each concert will begin at 7:00 pm. All the buildings and homes in the Townsite will be open until the time of the concert. Each location will have a host to welcome you, tell you about the building and answer questions. What a great opportunity for a family picnic, historical tour, and entertainment followed by free refreshments! The performers have been carefully selected to provide you with evenings of great talent and entertainment. Mark your calendars now!

This popular duo performs at Jackson Hole nearly every weekend and also for weddings, family reunions and at supper clubs throughout the valley. A resident of Firth, Vince Crofts is a traditional musician devoted to the study of the fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. He has played with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Charlie Daniels, Carol King, Steve Eaton, Mike Marshal and others. Mindi was born and raised in a musical family on a ranch in Presto Bench, along Idaho’s Blackfoot River. She’s had the opportunity to sing in an opera, travel with a chorale in Austria, sing and play in a dance band, and at Chesterfield she will brighten a little corner of the West with a good song or two.

Paul Ferron Bliss spent the first years of his life on one of the largest cattle feed lot operations in Utah. Paul now lives in Salem, Utah, headquarters for Bliss Cattle Co., with his wife Stacy and their two children. Paul has performed at the Elko Poetry Gathering and Festival of the American West. Paul won honors at the National Cowboy Poetry Finals, was featured in the Las Vegas and Der Spiegel magazines. He has shared the stage with Michael Martin Murphey, Stephanie Davis, Don Edwards and many other great western performers.

Last summer, a young man sat down at the antique 1894 pump organ in the Chesterfield Meetinghouse and began to play. He really made that pump organ dance! His name is Erik Olson and he is a descendant of Chauncy Loveland. Erik also plays the violin, viola, clarinet, and guitar. Erik will be graduating this spring from Sky View High School in Smithfield, Utah. Erik is planning to perform a variety of ragtime, classical, and religious music. He will also perform on the violin and will bring a couple of fellow musicians to help him.

The Memorial Day Celebration at Chesterfield will be a great time to meet area authors who will be available to sign books from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The store will remain open until 4 p.m.Authors planning to be available for book signing include:

Gwen Marler Barney’s Anson Call and the Rocky Mountain Prophecy brings to life the fascinating failures and the triumphs of Anson Call, her great grandfather, and of the heroic women who shared his life. Gwen Barney now lives in Salt Lake City and enjoys coming to Chesterfield where the Call family played such a pivotal role in the townsite.

Numerous books by Thelma Hatch Wyss, who grew up in Chesterfield and has written Ten Miles from Winnemucca, A Stranger Here, and Here at the Scenic-Vu Motel, which have won numerous literary prizes. This year Thelma’s newest work, Bear Dancer: The Story of a Ute Girl, will be available, too. Paul Link, with the late Chilton Phoenix, has produced a lively history of this region in Rocks, Rails and Trails. Copies of this volume, signed, will be available for purchase. Also featured are books by Ron Carter, as well as out-of-print books written by Osborne Russell (A Mountain Trapper in This Area from 1834 to 1843), and Frank Robertson, who grew up in Chesterfield (A Ram in a Thicket, Fort Hall: Gateway to the Oregon Trail, and others).

Chesterfield is still in need of additional volunteers. If you can devote a few hours, a day or two, a week or even serve full time through the summer, or if you know someone who can, please contact Val Roberts at 208-648-7124, Gerald Tolman at 208-648-7837, or any other board member. Men who come should be able to assist in a variety of indoor and outdoor handyman jobs and help with Townsite tours. Women should be able to perform light house work, gardening and help with tours. Your input and ideas will be appreciated also. We all enjoy our time here where we can see the stars at night and rub shoulders with one another. You are sure to find a project which you will find exciting, challenging and fulfilling!

Please help us develop a database of the descendents of the families who once lived in Chesterfield (or do now!). If you have a family mailing list, please share it with us by sending it to:

Chesterfield Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 2, Bancroft, Idaho 83217

Or you can simply email us at info@chesterfieldfoundation.org

Thank you so much!

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The Chesterfield Townsite will be open

May 1, 2007 - October 1, 2007

Monday through Saturday 10am - 6pm

Rentals and special tours may be arranged by calling (208) 648-7177

 For additional information email info@chesterfieldfoundation.org

Visit our website at  www.chesterfieldfoundation.org 

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Donations

Thank you for supporting the Chesterfield Foundation 

Your generosity is greatly appreciated and helps fund vital restoration projects  

There are many ways to donate to help restore Chesterfield.

Contributions to the Chesterfield Foundation are tax deductible.

Type of Contribution	Amount
General Membership Contribution Minimum $20.00
Additional donation to general restoration fund
Specific building project (Please indicate which building)
Endowment Fund
Total Donation

        Name______________________________________

        Address_____________________________________

        City________________________________________

        State and Zip_________________________________

        Phone_______________________________________

        Email_______________________________________

         (It saves postage if newsletters can be sent via email)   Family affiliation (if applicable)  

       Send payments to:

    Chesterfield Foundation, Inc.  

     P.O. Box 2   

     Chesterfield, Idaho  83217   

 

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VISIT HISTORIC CHESTERFIELD, IDAHO

Chesterfield is 20 miles northeast of Lava Hot Springs.

   Take Old Hwy 30 (the Blazer Highway) to Bancroft, then 11 miles north.   

Follow the Historic markers