It’s ephemera month at Speaking of Idaho. I’m writing a few little blurbs about some interesting ephemera I’ve collected over the years. Often there’s little or no historic value to the pieces, but each one tells a story.
Today’s post was inspired by a postcard from Heise Hot Springs.
Richard Camor Heise arrived in Idaho around 1890, the year Idaho became a state. He was a German immigrant who had fought in the Civil War and Indian skirmishes while in the army.
Heise was working as a salesman in about 1894 when he heard about some natural hot springs not far from Eagle Rock (now Idaho Falls). They were allegedly good for whatever ailed one. Heise had severe rheumatism, so he decided to try the mineral waters. They brought him some relief, so he homesteaded in the area and began to develop the hot springs into a spa.
Even before a bridge was built to make the area more accessible his little resort became popular. Heise developed a series of pipes and pools where the water temperature could be adjusted to the needs of his clientele.
Heise passed away on Halloween, 1921, but his hot springs spa continues to this day.
Today’s post was inspired by a postcard from Heise Hot Springs.
Richard Camor Heise arrived in Idaho around 1890, the year Idaho became a state. He was a German immigrant who had fought in the Civil War and Indian skirmishes while in the army.
Heise was working as a salesman in about 1894 when he heard about some natural hot springs not far from Eagle Rock (now Idaho Falls). They were allegedly good for whatever ailed one. Heise had severe rheumatism, so he decided to try the mineral waters. They brought him some relief, so he homesteaded in the area and began to develop the hot springs into a spa.
Even before a bridge was built to make the area more accessible his little resort became popular. Heise developed a series of pipes and pools where the water temperature could be adjusted to the needs of his clientele.
Heise passed away on Halloween, 1921, but his hot springs spa continues to this day.
Heise Hot Springs post card. The photo was likely taken before 1910.
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