Blue Lakes Country Club
A Blue Lakes Country Club, to be established at what was known as the Blue Lakes Ranch, was in the minds of Twin Falls citizens dating back to 1922. Articles of incorporation were filed in that year by A.L. Swim, L.L. Breckenridge, E.J. Ostrander and L.A. Chapin.
A letter from Hortense (Mrs. I.B.) Perrine dated March 27, 1922, reads, "I have concluded that the attempted sale... of the Blue Lakes Ranch... I do not wish to consummate it. Please take notice to this effect"; thereby concluding negotiations at that time.
On December 27, 1944, W.G. Swim, Claude Detweiler, Bert Sweet and C.R. Nelson met with and procured from Burton Perrine, Jr. and wife, Emerald, an option to lease the property known as the Blue Lakes Ranch in the Snake River Canyon in Jerome County for a term of fifty years, with renewal privilege of forty-nine years, beginning with January 1, 1945, for the sum of $3600.00 per year.
The founding board was elected by unanimous ballot and included Frank Cook, W.A. VanEngelen, Clark Heiss, C.R. Nelson, Al Westergren, A.W. Tingwall, W.G. Swim, Claude Detweiler and E.D. Bolte.
Initially the membership was limited to 500 with 100 reserved for men and women in the United State Military service. The membership fee in 1945 was $100.00 with no dues for the year. Thereafter membership fees would be $125.00 with yearly dues of $50.00.
The $50.00 yearly dues took care of the lease payments and the taxes. Members donated time and materials to improving the club grounds by building fireplaces and tables at the picnic areas, building bridges and ditches, spraying for weeds and poison ivy and hauling sand and gravel for a beach at Bass Lake.
At the August meeting in 1947, Francis I. James was employed to do a preliminary survey of the proposed golf course.
The road to the property was a major problem but was finally solved by selling four percent debentures to club members raising the necessary $15,000.00 to shoot off the high places, level, widen, straighten and hard surface. Duffy Reed spearheaded this project and it was finished in 1947.
Stagecoach on the Blue Lakes Grade
In 1947, Cecil Jones, architect and Fred Reed, contractor presented plans for the clubhouse. Plumbing and wiring services were provided by Detweiler Brothers at cost. Bert Sweet furnished all furniture, furnishings and fixtures at cost. Duffy Reed hauled the lumber from McCall without charge.
The first annual meeting of the membership was held September 11, 1949, in the new clubhouse with President Tofflemire presiding.
On October 1, 1964, an agreement of sale for the Blue Lakes property was concluded by Jack Claiborne, president of the club and Emerald and Burton Perrine, Jr. The price was $60,000.00. On May 12, 1967, Vern Riddle, then president assisted by Jack Claiborne negotiated the purchase from the State of Idaho all canyon land east to the Perrine Bridge for the sum of $1,375.00
In October 1960, a fire completely destroyed the original clubhouse. Through the dedicated efforts of Voy Hudson, John Robertson, and Gordon Edgar, the present clubhouse was designed and built in 160 days for a cost of approximately $180,000.00. During this construction period, the club activities were operated out of what is now the equipment building.