[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 130 (Tuesday, September 15, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9367-S9368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  GLENNS FERRY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate and 
acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the founding of the city of Glenns 
Ferry, ID. On September 26, 2009, the citizens of Glenns Ferry will 
gather in the high school gymnasium to commemorate the 100th year of 
its founding. This is a very historic and special day for this 
community.
  Glenns Ferry boasts a colorful Western heritage as one of the most 
famous river crossings on the Oregon Trail. Pioneers would ford the 
Snake River at the Three Island Crossing until 1869 when Gustavus 
``Gus'' Glenn constructed a ferry roughly 2 miles upstream. Gus's ferry 
would cut-off nearly 20 miles from the Southern Oregon Trail route, as 
it carried two wagons at a time across the river.
  In 1870, Gus's brother Oliver S. Glenn--known as O.S.--joined him in 
operating the ferry and together they ran it successfully until 1876. 
In 1871, the town site was platted just downstream from the ferry site 
and a community started to grow from the desert.
  In 1883, this area was inundated by a force of tracklayers whose duty 
it was to lay the tracks of the Oregon Short Line railroad. The 
tracklayers camp required 23 saloons and a dance hall. With the 
establishment of a post office and the appointment of O.S. Glenn as 
postmaster, the site required a formal name. And what more suitable a 
name than ``Glenns Ferry'' in recognition of the enormous contributions 
made by the Glenn family.
  The coming of the railroad caused the eventual discontinuation of the

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ferry service in approximately 1889. Although Glenn's Ferry was 
abandoned, the name was not, but was instead given to the city, which 
was incorporated in October of 1909.
  Since that time, Glenns Ferry has developed into a prosperous 
community along interstate 84 and has retained its historical western 
roots while incorporating new business and development. In 1971, the 
Three Island State Park was developed with campgrounds, cabins and a 
history center. Each August for the past 25 years, the park joined with 
the city of Glenns Ferry to reenact the crossing just like the pioneers 
in the 1800s prior to the ferry's development. Last month marked the 
last reenactment of the dangerous river crossing, but the annual 
festival will continue in celebration of the city's heritage.
  The economic backbone of Glenns Ferry is agriculture. Elmore County 
grows a wide variety of crops and animals--cattle, alfalfa hay, 
potatoes, grapes, sugarbeets, wheat, barley, and dairy. Glenns Ferry 
has become known for its award-winning wines at Carmela Vineyards and 
Cold Springs Winery. Glenns Ferry is also the home of Korey Hall, 
fullback for the Green Bay Packers and former Boise State University 
football star.
  Glenns Ferry has much to celebrate and look forward to in its next 
century as it provides important goods and services at home and abroad. 
Congratulations to the city of Glenns Ferry for 100 years of service 
and success.

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