Cultural Attractions

The Idaho Centennial Carousel is Idaho's only antique wooden carousel. It is one of 170 antique wooden carousels still existing in the United States. It has authentic carousel music from an organ run on paper rolls, providing old-fashioned original sounds. The carousel is housed in a new building at Porter Park.

This beautiful antique wooden carousel was built by Spillman Engineering Company of New York in about 1926. It began life as a traveling carnival machine. In 1947 it was moved to Liberty Park in Salt Lake City, Utah and then to Ogden, Utah. In 1952, a public spirited group in Rexburg were disappointed by a cancellation of their expected 4th of July carnival. They heard of the merry-go-round for sale in Ogden, Utah, raised $5,500 in cash and pledges and went down and got it. It was set up with 2 days to spare and the community had a wonderful celebration. Two years later a dome was built on it to protect it from the weather. In 1976 the Teton Dam flood waters damaged it severely and several horses were lost. In 1988 the carousel was dismantled and skilled craftsmen restored it. It was renovated by 1990 in time to commemorate Idaho's 100th birthday. It has 12 newly carved horses and 26 repaired horses along with repaired chariots. Music is by Stinson Band Organ Company in Ohio. The organ runs on a paper roll, providing the old-fashioned original sounds.

This carousel is a major attraction in Rexburg and a delight to people of all ages. It is considered a “jewel" of Porter Park in Rexburg. Although it is unique and has a rich history, it is not considered a museum piece but rather a working carousel for people to ride.

The Idaho Falls Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is located on a beautiful spot of land overlooking the falls of the Snake River. The land was donated by the Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce. It was completed in 1945.

The temple is not open to the general public, but the visitor's center located directly in front of the temple is open to all visitors. At the Idaho Falls LDS Temple Visitors' Center special exhibits, video presentations, artwork and guided tours of the grounds are available to the public free of charge.

The cornerstone for the Idaho Falls Temple was laid on October 19, 1940. In March 1937 the First Presidency had announced that a temple was planned to be built in Idaho and even as early as 1918 plans for this temple had been discussed.

World War II caused construction work on meeting houses and also the Idaho Falls Temple to be slowed down due to a shortage of workers and building materials. Church members in a twenty-one stake area also helped by making financial donations to help with the costs of temple construction so it could be completed. On September 23, 1945, the temple was dedicated by Pres. George Albert Smith, who was President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the time.

This inspiring, one-towered white temple on the banks of the majestic Snake River was faced on the outside walls with white cast stone designed to sparkle with light. In 1983 a beautiful statue of the Angel Moroni was placed on top of the Idaho Falls Temple which is viewable from a long distance. This “Temple by the River" is truly a place of beauty and serenity.

The Tabernacle Building was purchased from the LDS Church after the Teton Dam collapsed and flooded the surrounding communities. This building sustained major damage. But after extensive renovation, the Teton Flood Museum opened the summer of 1982 in the basement of the Rexburg Tabernacle. Currently, the Tabernacle is maintained by the City of Rexburg.

In the renovation process the city was able to have the building listed on the national Register of Historic Places. The grounds have picnic tables for public use and are maintained by the city of Rexburg.

The building is used as a civic auditorium which seats 1000 people and is well known for its excellent acoustics. An Austin pipe-organ was restored to enhance the many musical programs which are offered here.

This Museum located in the basement of the Tabernacle houses the Upper Snake River Valley Historical Society Museum aptly named the Teton Flood Museum because of its extensive collections of flood memorabilia including but not limited to films, photos, and other items related to the Teton Dam disaster. The upstairs of this building is used as a civic auditorium which seats 1000 people and is well known for its excellent acoustics.

There are many pioneer relics, depicting the lives of early pioneers, an Idaho opal/agate collection, North American animal head collection, World War I and II items and much more.

History was written in the landscape of the surrounding communities by the scouring floodwaters of the Teton Dam on that fateful day, June 5, 1976. Much of the damage has been rectified but there are still tell-tale signs of the overwhelming devastation caused by the flood that can never be erased. A high water line marks the entrance to the museum indicating the level of flood water from the 80 billion gallons of water that came through Rexburg. Exhibits have been made possible through many donations, memberships, and other support of the museum. Many one of a kind items are housed here.