Cassia County Historical Society & Museum

Did you know....
In Declo in the late 1920s a freak show was on display inside a train car. The main attraction of this show was the supposed mummified body of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. Other oddities included a two headed calf, 5 legged horse, and more. This attraction did not last long and the owner of the show, W. B. Evans, left with the mummy. The museum currently has the train car where the show was put on. Come learn more about the story of the mummy and what became of the train car at the museum!

DON'T FORGET ABOUT OUR MEMBERSHIP DINNER ON JUNE 8TH AT 6:00PM HERE AT THE MUSEUM!
CONTACT THE MUSEUM TO RSVP!

Did you know...
Civil War hero Colonel Josiah E. Miller was the founder of Burley after he came out West with a wagon train. One night while setting up camp 2 of his horses got loose and wandered off. In the words of Josiah, he said "In trying to locate my blasted animals, for the first time I became aware of this country. I was amazed at the possibilities of ranching, the grazing alone was exceptional; grass up to the belly of your horse." It was with that realization that Colonel Miller decided to stay and first settle near Goose Creek.
Learn more about the founder of Burley at the Cassia County Museum!

Did you know...
J. R. (Jack) Simplot grew up in Declo and started his first business venture when he was 14 years old. He was able to support himself and within 10 years had a business that made him a nationally known industrial leader. Simplots had a huge impact on the Mini-Cassia area. Visit the museum to learn more about that impact and Mr. Simplot himself!

Help support the Minidoka Museum!

Did you know...
The Museum has a 100+ year old cabin that belonged to the Kelsey family. It was used as living quarters, a school, blacksmith shop, post office, and bunk house for stage coach drivers. It is currently staged as a school house. Come by the museum to check out this piece of local history!

Did you know....
Edgar Rice Burroughs, the famous author of Tarzan, lived in Cassia County in the Raft River area for a short time.
Stop by the museum to learn more about the famous author and his time in Idaho!

The museum has some exciting projects and events coming up!

Adamson's Meat Market and neighboring store front after a hailstorm in 1916

Check out our monthly newsletter!

Also, help support our sister museum in Minidoka!

Brands are an important part of Cassia's history. This book contains quite a few of the earlier brands of the area. Come check it out and more when we open for our regular hours next Tuesday the 16th!

This popular book of the history of Cassia County is back and available at the Museum! Come see us to get your copy!

The Museum is opening back up for regular hours on April 16, 2024!! We will be open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm. Come explore our displays and see pieces of history like this print. Come see us soon!!

Come see our booth at the Burley Family History Expo at the CSI Mini-Cassia Center! It is from 8:30am-4:00pm, lots to see, learn, and do! The event is free, but there will be some vendors! Check out the link for more information!

BFHE Half of our presenters are still local, but we have some more experts coming in or presenting virtually. We have more classrooms and expanded hours to offer more than ever!

I hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday season and getting there Christmas shopping done! As you wrap your gifts this year think about all the wrapping paper and designs that have changed over the years. These star stickers were used to seal Christmas presents and this is the holiday envelope they came in! Merry Christmas everyone!

A little Christmas poem for you from a book called "Magic Moments: Southern Idaho's Magic Valley" by Dave and Carolyn Hanks. Hope you are all feeling the Christmas Spirit this December! Stop by the museum to make your season extra special!
Call ahead for days and times. 208-678-7172

Happy Thanksgiving from the Cassia County Historical Society and Museum!! This book of Thanksgiving has many different stories and poems of the wonderful season. Come check it out on your next visit to the museum!

October Newsletter

The winner of the Days-Gone-By Raffle was Katrina Sorenson of Burley. Thank you for your support by entering into the raffle.

Snake River Steam & Power Event
September 15th and 16th at the Minidoka County Historical Museum.
10 am to 5 pm

HAVING A GREAT TIME IN THE CASSIA COUNTY PARADE. LOTS OF FUN.

Next Saturday, August 19, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm is our 3rd Annual Days Gone By Fest. Everyone is invited to come here at the museum. Lots of fun thing to see. We are having a raffle for a Black & Decker Blower. Ticket are on SALE NOW, $2.00 ea. or 3 for $5.00. Come by and purchase your tickets.

Come in a buy you raffle tickets for a 3in1 Blower. $2.00 ea. or 3 for $5.00.

Would like to give a great big THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID FOR THE BICYCLE, FIRE & WATER SAFETY FEST back on July 15th. Thank you.

Would like to say a huge Thank You to Walmart who donated the bicycles to our Bicycle, Water & Fire Safety Festival that was held Saturday, July 15. Thank you again, the festival was a great success.