Early Businesses - Idaho Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

This history sign, about early businesses in Riggins, is one of a series on the Salmon River Heritage Walking Tour in Riggins, Idaho.

Marker Name: Early Businesses Marker Type: City Marker Text: From Saloons to the Golden Rule Riggins’ first store was opened in 1897 by George Curtis, a storekeeper from nearly Lucile. Curtis converted Riggins’ first saloon into a much needed general store. In 1903, Maggie Clay Rhoades and her sister, Carrie Belle Clay, hired carpenter Smith Lewis to build a large store with living quarters in the center of town, naming it Rhoades and Clay. In 1915, Tom Pogue bought the store and renamed it The Salmon River Store Company. Jim Harris bought the store in 1926 and renamed it the Golden Rule. Although changing hands many times, the Golden Rule Store served Riggins for many years. The Many Clay Enterprises In 1916, John Clay installed Riggins’ first gas pumps on Main Street. He later built a cafe, called the Poodle Pup, as well as a blacksmith shop and a livery barn. In the 19302, Jessie Clay ran the cafe and called it the Canyon Cafe. The livery barn, known as Clay’s Hall, had a large hardwood floor and was used by the entire community for dances, funerals, boxing smokers, movies and even the high school basketball games. In 1920, John and Jessie Clay opened Riggins’ third store across the street, called Riggins Mercantile. Their newly enlarged building included the post office and The Paliciers, a saloon and card room. County: Idaho City: Riggins Group Responsible for Placement: City of Riggins Marker Number: None Date Dedicated: Not listed Web link(s) for additional information: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
In your log, please say if you learned something new, and if you took any extra time to explore the area once you stopped at the historic marker waymark. If possible please post a photo of you OR your GPS at the marker location. Also if you know of any additional links not already mentioned about this bit of Idaho history please include that in your log.

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Date Logged Log User Rating   10/10/2010 Volcanoguy visited it