JULIAETTA

A short history of Juliaetta

Juliaetta was originally known as Schupferville, named for Rupert Schupfer who homesteaded the land in 1878. He plotted one-half of his homestead as a town site and operated the first general store. By 1878, the town had a population of 200.

In 1876, Charles Snyder established a post office and named the town after his daughters, Julia and Etta. He was the first postmaster of Juliaetta. The city was incorporated in 1892 when the railroad was extended to that point.

In 1885 the first flour mill was built. The flour was labeled “Pride of the Potlatch” and was shipped all over the west coast of the United States. This business became Juliaetta Milling and Light Company.

By 1889, the town had a bank, a newspaper, a jewelry store, a saddlery store, and a general store. Farmers in the area raised wheat, flax, oats, and hay in addition to fruit trees and large gardens.

The town became incorporated in 1892. Agricultural products were transported via a tram from the ridges around town. By 1902, Juliaetta had two hotels, Grand Central Hotel and Palace Hotel. Dr. Robert Foster Sr. established Foster's School of Healing in 1903. The Juliaetta Cannery employed 100 people seasonally and produced up to 10,000 cans per day. It burned in 1911.

Other businesses operating in Juliaetta in the early 1900s included a mercantile, undertakers, barber, shoeshine services, millinery, confectionery, dressmaker, skating rink, and dance hall. Juliaetta also had an opera house and a theater company.

Adapted (trimmed) from the Wikipedia article Juliaetta, Idaho, revision 1379132989 by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.