The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-05-28


huilt which still stands here Mr.
was moved. and was instrumental IL
having II done
i The first schooihouse In Meridian
was north of what now is Meridian
perhaps a mile II WAS a little one
roomed white school house, Mr.
/ Frank Burns was the first teacher
4 MIR. Drewley and Myrtle. Powers tnoN
Mrs. George Deck were among the
first teachers Mr.. Badley's, Mr..
Burns and Joe Dailys children went
70 this first little school
Before long this school house be-
came too small. and the people OF
| the town decided to build larger
one, so the old four roomed school
house near the postofflce was built.
which now stands deserted. When
the petition TO have II built was
circulated, the people thought Ii very
foolish ais they said SO large a school
house would never be used ITS adj
1 vocates won il by one vote, and built
ii In 1893 II was not long until all
| Of the rooms were full and they were
renting two stores In town to hold
school in. Next the red brick school
was built In 1904, and next the high
school in 1912 For quite while
Thigh school was held in one room Of
the brick school house. In our new
high school, which cost about 1885,
600, we have eight rooms, and a base
ment, containing d gymnasium, mani
ual training room, domestic science
room and furnace room.
Meridian was first called Hunter
by its citizens In honor OF the super-
intendent OF the railroad, who built
this FIRST depot here The people af-
forwards discovered that the meri-
dian line ran through the town, hence
the name was changed as everyone
knows The street car track is now
laid on the meridian lins.
Before the railroad came the peo-
pie got their mail from Boise but
later as 1 have said, postofiice was
put in Mr.. Willburn's house and later
two rural routes were established.
the last In 1903 with j. w. Moore
as carrier, and VIM. Moore substitute.
This route was mostly along the New
York canal, and IL was not long be-
fore this region was thickly settled
The new service was greatly appre-
ciated by the farmers who had found
1t difficult to get their mail. There are
still two routes. Mr.. Hutchinson on
route one, and Mrs. Mcclure on route
two.
The railroad came through Meri-
dian in 1890, and Mr.. Bliss was the
first breakman, conductor engineer.
and fireman. One lady said she went
TO Boise on the train and that when
they got half way he stopped the
train and got the mail from a coun-
try mail box, then went on again. II
his work was too heavy he would
stop the train to finish.
The street car line which once only
went TO Meridian and stopped is now
connected with the Nampa and Cald-
we'll lines.
The first telephone in Meridian was
installed about 1898 in Mr.. Stokes
burys hotel. Later the Independent
telephone came into Meridian, with |
Mr.. Homer Tolleth as local manager.
The village of Meridian was In |
In 1908. A committee
met before the county commission
ars at Boise, and after some hot dis
II was organized. Before
long, side walks were being built
more school houses constructed and
he people began to realize they We're
living in village.
The ilrst newspaper was published
n 1903 by Mr.. G. h. Bolts He is
'ued q little four column paper which
le printed page at time on Cor
Ion Job press, He sold the press to
Mr. >. NJ, g. Reynolds who estab-
ished better press and who issued
. Tour page, six column paper called
he Meridian Tribune. Ii was issued
or a dollar and half year. Ii
vas put out each Saturday in time to (
o out on the rural routes. The Meri-
Ian Times succeeded this paper. IT
six column paper issued every
friday for a dollar year by Mr.. !
laird
The following is an item from
he tenth issue OF the Meridian Tri- :
une, December q, 1903, the earliest
aper the writer has been able toll
1cate. r
The growth of Meridian from less /
ian one hundred Inhabitants to more
ian i've hundred, within the past n
sar Is phenomenal and we rejoice "
Its prosperity and growth. MANY
NV Corners have bought and settled
EAR us, and we are making nice D
homes. :"
Meridian has a population OF about 9
le thousand, Is supplied with cleo !
&c and water systems, has two y
.urches, one grade school, a high Il
hool two hardware stores, two II
mber yards. harness shop, three
acksmith shops, one bank, several 70
III conducted mercantile establish ~
snts, a picture show, one news
per, one telephone system. cheese
etory, thriving fruit packing estab. NJ
hments, spray and cider factory. "
q even a commercial club. '
The savage Indians have been "
ned and subdued, what Is left OF
wild animals that once roamed
er the land, have gone to the
permanent settlers have -
zen their place. Happy homes.
irches, school houses. fine orchards
deserts. A few OF the old settlers =.
u make their homes in Meridian. -
Q came here 10 mine or who felt 4.
call nj fba M Ferb x4Y..E it