Defining Rexburg: The History and the People
Overlooking Rexburg from a rooftop on Main Street.
Steinbeck, in his rhetorical wisdom, knew that the idealistic foundation of America was more than just Old Faithful, The Grand Canyon, or Mt. Rushmore. He understood that the pride of this nation rests upon the moral backbone of its everyday people. Steinbeck clearly states this when he says, “For it is my opinion that we enclose and celebrate the freaks of our nation and of our civilization.” He also says “Yellowstone National Park is no more representative of America than is Disneyland” (Travels with Charlie 161). Steinbeck recognized locations as merely abstract ideas of America’s essence. Although these, and various other attractions sprinkled throughout America, are inspiring, they do not reflect the unique foundation of this wonderful land. Our country is a conglomeration of the distinctive, small towns made up of people that exude attributes like hospitality, service, love, diversity, artistry, etc. In search of the true base and origins of America, we found Rexburg. Rexburg represents the ideal, American small town because of the local people like Rinnie McCulloch and the Gundersen family who transform it from a seemingly ordinary city to one that reflects the actual foundation of America.
Rinnie McCulloch and her sons
Two years ago, Rinnie McCulloch moved to Rexburg, Idaho from Provo, Utah. Although Rinnie lived in Rexburg from 6th to 12th grade, she always said she would never return to a place with such cold, windy winters. However, fifteen years later, when she wanted to find somewhere that felt like home for her and her two sons to live, her choice was Rexburg because of its location, its history, and its people.
Nestled among the majesty of the Grand Tetons and the beauty of the Snake River, this safe haven has a long, eventful history. During the late 1870’s, several men entered the “fertile Snake River Valley” as a result of the mining operations located in Montana (“Rexburg”). As word spread of the luscious southeastern Idaho area, LDS Church President John Taylor instructed W. B. Preston and Thomas E. Ricks to stake out an area for settlement in this new territory. In 1883, Ricks, and a small group of people, began settling the area. Later, Ricks College (now Brigham Young University-Idaho) was established and with it various businesses interested in participating in the growth of a new family and college town. Since its beginnings, Rexburg, Idaho has seen enormous development as it continues to thrive in several areas (i.e. religion, education, health, recreation, economics, and culture) and continually house new restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues. According to the Rexburg City of Commerce, “since March 1883, the town has literally been transformed from a sagebrush desert into the beautiful thriving agricultural community of today” (“Rexburg”).
Nestled among the majesty of the Grand Tetons and the beauty of the Snake River, this safe haven has a long, eventful history. During the late 1870’s, several men entered the “fertile Snake River Valley” as a result of the mining operations located in Montana (“Rexburg”). As word spread of the luscious southeastern Idaho area, LDS Church President John Taylor instructed W. B. Preston and Thomas E. Ricks to stake out an area for settlement in this new territory. In 1883, Ricks, and a small group of people, began settling the area. Later, Ricks College (now Brigham Young University-Idaho) was established and with it various businesses interested in participating in the growth of a new family and college town. Since its beginnings, Rexburg, Idaho has seen enormous development as it continues to thrive in several areas (i.e. religion, education, health, recreation, economics, and culture) and continually house new restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues. According to the Rexburg City of Commerce, “since March 1883, the town has literally been transformed from a sagebrush desert into the beautiful thriving agricultural community of today” (“Rexburg”).
With a current population of 27,575, Rexburg is just one small town among the thousands scattered across Idaho and the United States (Bestplaces.net). And yet, this growing city has developed a number of establishments (such as BYUI, local parks, and family-owned and operated businesses) that not only make the city largely self-sufficient, but also work hard to provide its people with a feeling of hospitality and warmth.
Seventeen years ago, Roy and Susan Gundersen found a way of contributing to the autonomy and individual focus of Rexburg when they began their own small business: Gunderson Carpet and Vinyl. This business, among others, has assisted in strengthening the economy of Rexburg while also providing both a personal and a professional way for the Gundersens to interact and support the community. The Gundersen family, which has lived in the valley for generations, describes Rexburg as a community dedicated to serving and supporting individuals. The Gundersens have continued the ideals exemplified by the Rexburg community through their own personal dedication to supporting a self-reliant, caring, small town society. Their business and services exemplify the community’s desire to help each other build a safe and independent community capable of looking out for one another.
For the Gundersens and for Rexburg, the dedication to service truly began in the aftermath of the 1976 Teton Dam flood. Author, Bruce D. Blumell described the day as follows:
Just before noon on Saturday, June 5, 1976, the Teton Dam, in southeastern Idaho, collapsed, releasing eighty billion gallons of water down the Teton River. The surging water entered the Snake River and was finally trapped several days later at the American Falls reservoir west of Pocatello, Idaho. In the course of an 85-mile rampage this torrent spread out in some places up to eleven miles, engulfing the communities of Wilford, Sugar City, and Rexburg. In Wilford, for example, 120 of the 154 homes were destroyed almost immediately, and most of the others were severely damaged . . . [T]his deluge wreaked havoc with all kinds of construction and machinery, killed about 11,000 head of livestock, damaged or ruined approximately 90,000 acres of crops, destroyed an estimated 5,000-10,000 acres of land, and damaged or destroyed approximately 360 businesses, more than 4,000 homes, and at least as many farm structures. The total loss in property was estimated at close to $1.5 billion.
Seventeen years ago, Roy and Susan Gundersen found a way of contributing to the autonomy and individual focus of Rexburg when they began their own small business: Gunderson Carpet and Vinyl. This business, among others, has assisted in strengthening the economy of Rexburg while also providing both a personal and a professional way for the Gundersens to interact and support the community. The Gundersen family, which has lived in the valley for generations, describes Rexburg as a community dedicated to serving and supporting individuals. The Gundersens have continued the ideals exemplified by the Rexburg community through their own personal dedication to supporting a self-reliant, caring, small town society. Their business and services exemplify the community’s desire to help each other build a safe and independent community capable of looking out for one another.
For the Gundersens and for Rexburg, the dedication to service truly began in the aftermath of the 1976 Teton Dam flood. Author, Bruce D. Blumell described the day as follows:
Just before noon on Saturday, June 5, 1976, the Teton Dam, in southeastern Idaho, collapsed, releasing eighty billion gallons of water down the Teton River. The surging water entered the Snake River and was finally trapped several days later at the American Falls reservoir west of Pocatello, Idaho. In the course of an 85-mile rampage this torrent spread out in some places up to eleven miles, engulfing the communities of Wilford, Sugar City, and Rexburg. In Wilford, for example, 120 of the 154 homes were destroyed almost immediately, and most of the others were severely damaged . . . [T]his deluge wreaked havoc with all kinds of construction and machinery, killed about 11,000 head of livestock, damaged or ruined approximately 90,000 acres of crops, destroyed an estimated 5,000-10,000 acres of land, and damaged or destroyed approximately 360 businesses, more than 4,000 homes, and at least as many farm structures. The total loss in property was estimated at close to $1.5 billion.
This flood was a time of tragedy that profoundly unified Rexburg’s people. The immediate response to the call for humanitarian aid, as well as the compassion and resilience shown in a time of great distress demonstrates a morale that is unmatched by other places. It is the people of Rexburg who make it “America’s family community” (city “welcome” sign).
Rinnie and her sons
So, besides the friendly businesses and unique history, what continues to make Rexburg such a safe and accepting place for Rinnie, Roy and Susan Gundersen, and so many other people living here? As Rinnie said, “everyone [in Rexburg] is looking out for everyone; everyone cares about each other.” To Rinnie, and to so many others like her, there is no such thing as being too busy to serve. She remarkably finds time to manage her personal life while still attending BYUI, providing food for her on-campus tutors, taking meals to sick friends, inviting people over for holiday meals, and volunteering at the local elementary school. To Rinnie, service is her way of giving back to a community that she feels has offered her and her family love, safety, acceptance, and a greater chance to succeed.
Rexburg’s commitment to service is not only built by numerous individuals, but is also maintained and supported through a myriad of city-sponsored service programs such as “Shop with a Cop”; an establishment that focuses on accepting, loving, and helping financially disadvantaged families. Every year, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department heads the event where children are escorted by an officer while shopping for Christmas items. The day starts with the officers taking the children to breakfast at the local McDonald’s, and ends with a Kmart shopping spree. Detective Colin Erickson of the Rexburg Police Department says that “at first [the kids are] scared, but by the end they’re friends with the cops.” The unity and love of Rexburg are built upon service activities such as this (Rexcc.com). A year ago, when Rinnie’s children were chosen to participate in this program, she described their excitement as nearly uncontainable. Now, her two young boys still talk about how important it made them feel to spend a morning with kind police officers. Through these types of activities, Rexburg City, just like the Gundersens and Rinnie, shows how service can be performed, expressed, and lived in many different capacities.
The community that Rinnie and the Gundersens describe isn’t perfect, but it is filled with people dedicated to making Rexburg a prosperous sanctuary for its citizens. To Rinnie, the Gundersens and others, Rexburg is a family community because of the over-reaching feeling that everyone, and anyone, belongs. With thousands of students swarming to BYU-I every semester this family ideal may seem hard to attain; however, to Rinnie and others it’s only a matter of making every person feel appreciated and loved.
Whether it is something as small as police officers taking children of in-need families shopping for Christmas, or community member’s individually and collectively rallying to fix a problem, the Rexburg community focuses on the worth of individuals. What truly makes Rexburg distinct and inviting is not the parks or the schools, but rather the unique assortment of people living here. As Rinnie says, “it doesn’t matter where you are in life or how old you are, it [all] comes back to loving one another.” To echo the Rexburg City Council, this is “a city worth celebrating.”
WORKS CITED
Blumell, Bruce D. “The LDS Response to the Teton Dam Disaster in Idaho.” Sunstone (1980). Google Scholar. Web. 13 Nov.2009.
Gundersen, Roy and Susan. Personal Interview. 8 Nov. 2009.
“History of Rexburg.” Rexburg, Idaho Chamber of Commerce. Jan 2009. Web. 13 Nov. 2009.
McCulloch, Rinnie. Personal Interview. 12 November 2009.
“Rexburg, Idaho.” Sperling’s Best Places. 2009. Web. 12 November 2009.
Rexcc.com. Ed. Rexburg Chamber of Commerce. 2009. 16 November 2009. Web. 14 Nov. 2009
Steinbeck, John. Travels with Charley: In Search of America. New York: Penguin Books, 1961. Print.
Rexburg’s commitment to service is not only built by numerous individuals, but is also maintained and supported through a myriad of city-sponsored service programs such as “Shop with a Cop”; an establishment that focuses on accepting, loving, and helping financially disadvantaged families. Every year, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department heads the event where children are escorted by an officer while shopping for Christmas items. The day starts with the officers taking the children to breakfast at the local McDonald’s, and ends with a Kmart shopping spree. Detective Colin Erickson of the Rexburg Police Department says that “at first [the kids are] scared, but by the end they’re friends with the cops.” The unity and love of Rexburg are built upon service activities such as this (Rexcc.com). A year ago, when Rinnie’s children were chosen to participate in this program, she described their excitement as nearly uncontainable. Now, her two young boys still talk about how important it made them feel to spend a morning with kind police officers. Through these types of activities, Rexburg City, just like the Gundersens and Rinnie, shows how service can be performed, expressed, and lived in many different capacities.
The community that Rinnie and the Gundersens describe isn’t perfect, but it is filled with people dedicated to making Rexburg a prosperous sanctuary for its citizens. To Rinnie, the Gundersens and others, Rexburg is a family community because of the over-reaching feeling that everyone, and anyone, belongs. With thousands of students swarming to BYU-I every semester this family ideal may seem hard to attain; however, to Rinnie and others it’s only a matter of making every person feel appreciated and loved.
Whether it is something as small as police officers taking children of in-need families shopping for Christmas, or community member’s individually and collectively rallying to fix a problem, the Rexburg community focuses on the worth of individuals. What truly makes Rexburg distinct and inviting is not the parks or the schools, but rather the unique assortment of people living here. As Rinnie says, “it doesn’t matter where you are in life or how old you are, it [all] comes back to loving one another.” To echo the Rexburg City Council, this is “a city worth celebrating.”
WORKS CITED
Blumell, Bruce D. “The LDS Response to the Teton Dam Disaster in Idaho.” Sunstone (1980). Google Scholar. Web. 13 Nov.2009.
Gundersen, Roy and Susan. Personal Interview. 8 Nov. 2009.
“History of Rexburg.” Rexburg, Idaho Chamber of Commerce. Jan 2009. Web. 13 Nov. 2009.
McCulloch, Rinnie. Personal Interview. 12 November 2009.
“Rexburg, Idaho.” Sperling’s Best Places. 2009. Web. 12 November 2009.
Rexcc.com. Ed. Rexburg Chamber of Commerce. 2009. 16 November 2009. Web. 14 Nov. 2009
Steinbeck, John. Travels with Charley: In Search of America. New York: Penguin Books, 1961. Print.
