The Martin House Project
Gem County's Oldest Plank House, built in 1878 -
Martin House today - corner of Wardwell and Riverside
photo courtesy of Sue Collins-Vahlberg
Our family were the last occupants there until 1977. It's built in a unique way, with vertical boards, flanked by base boards on the inside and outside of the walls, bolted together. Kind of like a barn. The large kitchen wing features visible board and batten walls. We had a guest that noticed this and said, "You can't build a two-story building this way!" I'm not sure there's a foundation. The house has been flooded before the berms were built along the river.
The large kitchen was originally a large dining room. The small bathroom and pantry on the north side were the actual kitchen. The downstairs features two parlors and two bedrooms. Upstairs there is a landing and two bedrooms. We had the privilege of meeting an elderly lady who had boarded there as a young person and she said the upstairs was set up to accommodate guests. - Lita Rodgers Wallace, Facebook. October 1, 2024
Contributions may be mailed to the museum at 501 E. 1st, Emmett, ID 83617
or dropped by the museum, afternoons, W-Sa
Copyright © 2008 - All Rights Reserved.
Unless otherwise attributed, all photos and text are the property of Gem County Historical Society
Serving Gem County since 1973.
Hours
Wednesday - Saturday 1:00pm - 5:00pm
& by appointment :: Extended hours during The Cherry Festival in June.