The Mormons Come to Elba - 1881

Of course, there were members of the LDS Church in Elba prior to 1881, but in that year a meeting was called to organize a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Elba. James Cole was chosen presiding Elder with John Osterhout and Reuben Beecher assistants. In 1887, the Elba Ward was organized in the Cassia Stake, as well as the Relief Society. The Church headquarters were in Oakley. Plans were soon underway for a church building. Peter Henry Ottley wrote again to his brother telling him that the brethren had hauled rocks and had the walls up for a 30 x 60 foot building. He asked if his brother might have an idea what it would cost for shingles and nails to roof it. The granite church was two stories high with walls 30 inches thick, plaster covered. It was all hand labor. An outside stair led to the hall where dances, basketball games, and socials were held. It was heated in winter time by a pot-bellied stove in the center of the room. Eventually a basement was dug under the stage and classrooms were also added. Many years later this old building underwent remodeling and is incorporated into the present Elba Church house.

In 1896 when the first church house was completed, Fred and Abigail Ottley had been married for three years, so it is likely they were part of the building, and certainly among the earliest to attend services.

A third school was built in the upper part of Elba valley because the large number of children there had too great a distance to travel to get to classes at the other schools. This school was upper district #26 and Emma Williams was the first teacher, receiving a salary of $36.00 per month. She paid $10.00 for board, room, laundry, and the term was three months long in summer. In 1900 a brick school was built to replace the second log building in the center of the village. This was district #8. It had two rooms connected by a hallway and a small stair led to rooms on the second floor. There was a bell which rang at class time and the children from lower grades lined up on the south side and upper grades on the north and both marched to their rooms. This building was replaced by another brick edifice in 1926 and a short time later the three schools were consolidated into District #1. Eight grades were taught and for a short time two grades of high school. Many children went to Albion for high school.

The LDS Church forms the backbone of activity in the community in early days. It is there that all social activities take place, religious ceremonies, community meetings, and funerals.

Horse and foot races and ball games were the mainstay of early celebrations and recreation. These were held in someone's field or on the road in front of the Church. Across the road Nevin McFarland operated a refreshment stand offering candy, fireworks, and drinks at his home. In 1913 a community effort was launched to purchase five acres of land for a park, costing $600 and purchased from Dan Savage. This has been improved and maintained to the present day and is a popular gathering place for miles around for Church functions, family reunions, and service gatherings. For some years a community fair was held at Elba Park with exhibits of all types, a rodeo, races, contests, and concessions. The rodeo stock, rounded up from the range by local cowboys, was wild enough to provide thrills as well as prize money. The fair usually culminated in a dance and Glen Bates Orchestra from Twin Falls was the featured attraction.