Montpelier, Bear Lake County, Idaho Genealogy

United States Idaho  Bear Lake County  Montpelier

City Hall
City of Montpelier 534 Washington Montpelier, ID 83254 (208) 847-0824

Georaphy
Montpelier is located at 42°19′13″N 111°18′13″W﻿ / ﻿42.32028°N 111.30361°W﻿ / 42.32028; -111.30361 (42.320416, -111.303703).[1]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.8 km²), all of it land.

History
Sixteen families settled in the spring of 1863. Like most western communities, the town name was changed numerous times. First known by Oregon Trail travelers as Clover Creek, it later became Belmont and finally was given the name Montpelier by Brigham Young after a town in his birth state of Vermont. Within the first year, businesses sprang up along the strip later known as Fourth Street. It was a choice location because of the heavy Oregon Trail "traffic". Trail travelers tell of fresh produce, dairy products and beef that were available for purchase. Learn more http://www.montpelieridaho.info/

On August 13, 1896, Montpelier was the site of an infamous bank heist that became an integral part of Bear Lake folklore. Butch Cassidy and the Montpelier Bank Robbery for more information. http://www.bearlake.org/butch.html

Current
Bible Believers Baptist Church 388 Webster Street, Montpelier, ID 83254-1019 (208) 847-0629

Current
There are 5 wards (congregations) and one branch in Montpelier.

Historic
Many of the original records of church units are in the Church History Library in Salt Lake City. Many of the membership records covering these units from the date of their creation to about 1948 have been microfilmed and are available at the in Salt Lake City or at its Family History Centers.

Historic
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City has microfilmed copies the records (1912-1944) found in the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho. These films can be viewed at the Library in Salt Lake City or in any of its Family History Centers.

Current
Bear Lake Community Church 134 Hillside Drive, Montpelier, ID 83254-1561 (208) 847-2628

Current
Blessed Sacrament

270 North 8th Street Montpelier, ID 83220 US

(208) 547-3200

Historic
Church of the Blessed Sacrament. The Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Montpelier kept these parish registers between 1908 and 1920. The records were kept out at Lava Hot Springs between 1920 and 1934. From 1934-1946 the name of the church changed to the. The headquarters of the Holy Ghost Mission was located in Pocatello, Idaho at St. Anthony's Church from 1934-1946 and in Preston, Idaho at St. Peter's Church from 1947-1956. In 1957 the name of the church was changed back to The Church of the Blessed Sacrament with the center of the parish being in Montpelier until 1963. At that time the center of the parish was moved to Soda Springs and the name of the church became St. Mary's. The  in Salt Lake City has microfilmed these records found at the Archives of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Boise, Idaho. They are available for viewing at the Library in Salt Lake City or in any of its Family History Centers.

Funeral Home
Matthews Mortuary 702 Clay St Montpelier, Idaho 83254 (208) 847-0451

Directories
The Idaho State Archives has in its collection copies of city, county, state and regional directories.

Current
News-Examiner P.O. Box 278 Montpelier, ID 83254 Ph. 208-847-0552 email - rmoosman@dcdi.net Weekly

Historical
The Idaho State Archives has in it collection copies of many Idaho newspapers including the following from Montpelier:

Bear Lake County news 1922:1:19-1937:9:9 Bear Lake gazette  1985:8:10-1986:1:15  Daily news  1920:1:20-1922:1:18  Montpelier examiner  1896:2:29-1937:9:9  News-examiner  1937:9:16-1994:12:21

Societies, Libraries and Museums
Bear Lake County Library 138N 6th St Montpelier, Idaho 83254 (208) 847-1664

Websites
Montpelier, Idaho Old Photos