John & Alice Hansen Move into Town

Source: Idaho Register (December 11, 1914)

In late 1914 John Hansen completed construction of a beautiful new home for his family located in Idaho Falls.  The home was located at 499 'E' Street which was only about 800 feet from the edge of the Snake River and a quarter of a mile from the future site of the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.  He continued to run the  ranch and farm in Taylor, which was less than 10 miles away from the new home.

It is unknown at this point when John acquired the land and started construction of their new home. As seen on the following Sanborn Map of Idaho Falls the future home site was vacant as of the November 1911 publication.  Across the street from where the home is to be built was a small LDS Chapel occupying only a small portion of the block which was owned by the church.

Source: Sanborn Map Idaho Falls, Idaho (November 1911)

By the time John completed construction of his home the LDS Church had built the LDS Auditorium directly across the street from his home complete with a performance stage and dance hall.  The April 1921 Sanborn Map, shows John and Alice Hansen's home as well as the new LDS Auditorium. The property John constructed his new home on was 50' x 140' and was located on the corner of Capital and 'E' Street.  Behind the home was a free standing garage for John to park the Studebaker he had purchased a few years earlier. 

Source: Sanborn Map Idaho Falls, Idaho (April 1921)

While in this home John and Alice also had living with them Alice's father, Alfred Bateman for a time.  They also raised their 16 month old granddaughter Lula Hansen after her mother, Nettie Lords Hansen (married to Sidney Lorenzo Hansen) passed away as a result of complications related to child birth.  Both mother and baby passed away in June of 1917.  Other's of their children lived with them, their babies were born in this home with the help of Alice, and many others visited over the years they were in this home.

Also, according to the 1920 US Census John Hansen owned the home and property free and clear of any mortgage.  The census also indicates that Alice could not read or write.

Sometime between 1937 and 1940 Alice Hansen and her daughter Ellen Lords moved from the home at 499 'E' Street to a new home a few miles away located at 311 11th Street. Alice lived in this home until her death in 1961 (This home still stands today).

The home on 'E' Street was torn down long ago as have most of the homes in the area to make way for progress. I have been unable to locate any photographs of the home as it looked then or any other details about the home.  If you have additional information, photographs, or stories please contact me.