Almanac
Preserving the Past Talk about flour power. The longabandoned grain elevators, or silos, of an old Twin Falls flour mill have found new life, thanks to a nonprofit group of preservationists. Preservation Twin Falls and its volunteers have refurbished the early 1900s structures, and today visitors can climb their spiral staircases to a spectacular view overlooking the Magic Valley. Beautification efforts to the landscape, including a botanical garden, are also taking root in the new park, a welcoming spot for visitors arriving from the south, where the airport is located.
Go With the Flow While they may not be as famous as the canals in Venice, the canals in Twin Falls play a pivotal role in the area’s economy. Born of the 1894 Carey Act, which allowed the setting aside of federal land for private investors, the irrigation system has been operated by the Twin Falls Canal Co. since 1909. The canals solidified Southern Idaho’s pivotal role in the agricultural industry by providing a steady stream of water, drawn from the Snake River, Deep Creek and Cedar Draw. Today, in addition to providing a consistent supply of water to the area’s municipal areas, Southern Idaho’s thriving agriculturebased economy still reaps the benefits of these century-old canals.
Luck of the Draw Feel lucky? If you play your cards – or slot machines – right, you could hit the jackpot in Jackpot, Nev., a gaming destination located less than one mile from the Idaho border. The city, about a 45-minute drive from Twin Falls, is home to many casinos including Cactus Petes Resort, with more than 26,000 square feet of gaming space, and Barton’s Club 93, which offers hotel rooms and a 24-hour restaurant along with its fully equipped casino. Other gaming hot spots in Jackpot include Four Jacks Hotel & Casino and the West Star Hotel & Casino.
6
I M AG E S S O U T H E R N I DA H O . C O M
S O U T H E R N I DA H O