Post Falls Idaho

One Man's Dream

One Woman's Reality

One City's Evolution

The weight of responsibility hung around Frederick’s neck like a noose. He had completed his formal education; served his country in the military; and secured a respectable job as an overseer in the German-English mining company. Yet due to the import tariffs resulting from the Congress of Vienna, even a respectable job left Frederick suffocating from tedium and limited income. An entrepreneurial spirit and a supportive wife spurred Frederick to abandon their beautiful ancestral town of Herbern, Prussia for the innumerable possibilities awaiting them in America.

Uncertainty, disillusionment and a smattering of fear plagued Heidi as the world she knew began to slip through her fingers. She had finally found the perfect job with the perfect boss, when he surprisingly accepted a promotion half a continent away. Suddenly her fiance’s suggestion to relocate to North Idaho provided her with the chance to envision a new future.

"But oh, what a scene of beauty were they to behold from the heights. To the east beautiful Coeur d' Alene lay embedded like a blue sapphire in the deep gorges of the mountains. At their feet the river dashed a white sheet of foam through a narrow canyon. And before them stretched the valley where the Indian ponies and deer grazed peacefully" (Perkins, C. 1936). As if given the gift of foresight, Frederick knew his destiny. He worked to gain the trust of the local Indian tribe, while the Upper Falls of the Spokane River whispered their possibilities to him.

Finally at Treaty Rock on June 1, 1871 Chief Seltice agreed to sell Frederick Post 298 acres of land.

With growing excitement, Heidi and her new husband Phil searched for the perfect community to make their home. Nestled between the thriving metropolis of Spokane and the quaint vacation destination of Coeur d’ Alene they found their ¼ acre of paradise in Post Falls, ID.

Although Frederick could envision the settlement of the entire district, he patiently waited to develop his village until the country was penetrated by transportation lines. Therefore in May, 1890 the town of Post Falls, population 50, finally celebrated its first anniversary. Frederick looked north on Spokane Street and surveyed his community with pride.

The evening of February 20, 2006 Heidi and Phil travelled across the Idaho border and into Post Falls. The snow covered mountains hovered over the small city of 23,000. Too exhausted to cook, they celebrated their arrival by heading north on Spokane Street to eat at a favorite local restaurant, the White House Grill.

Frederick and all residents of Post Falls sought the latest news by turning to the Post Falls Post. In June of 1892, the fledgling paper proudly published all assets of the booming community of 600 people including the following: mills, factories, one first class hotel and one magnificent church building. Residents found all they needed in Post Falls. A train depot provided the ability to travel to Spokane when necessary. A local band performed at the park bandstand for those seeking a musical interlude. The U.S. Mail provided the lifeline of communication to loved ones left back home. Finally, grocery stores stocked local farmers' wares for public purchase.

In 2008, Heidi and most residents of Post Falls turned to the local television broadcast for soundbites of the current news. Shortly after her daily Channel 2 update, Heidi left her home for the 30 minute drive to her office in Spokane. Bored with the commute, she fiddled with the radio to find some musical entertainment or dialed loved ones across the country on her cell phone. Then, after 8 hours training financial professionals, an exhausted Heidi dashed into the local grocery store to grab a few last minute essentials for dinner.

As the population of Post Falls and the surrounding areas grew, residents sought opportunities to expand their knowledge through higher education at Coeur d’ Alene College, 7 miles from Post Falls. In particular, the business college appealed to those individuals eager to enter the business workplace.

Even as Heidi’s new career launched, the tentacles of doubt crept around her--had this new position been a mistake? Finally in summer 2008, her insecurities culminated in a moment of startling enlightenment--she must return to school for additional education and expanded career options. However, with mounting dread she knew her boss would forbid her to take time off work to attend classes. So, the Gonzaga Communication and Leadership Online Program provided the answer.

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Heidi started her first course in July, 2008. She accessed the internet-based classroom whenever time permitted, allowing her to expand her knowledge and paving the way for future opportunities. As Heidi successfully navigated each class, she knew with certainty that her future in Post Falls beckoned brightly.

"I've always looked forward more to the future of Post Falls than I have to its past...I consider Post Falls a stable town, an ideal place to live. We're not citified and we're not rural, but we have many advantages of both, and we are truly an American Town."

Frederick Post, August 10, 1908.

Frederick Post and Heidi Currey's Community Video

Heidi Currey Profile

Thank you to all of the wonderful sources who contributed to the historical details and photos of Post Falls including those listed in the References below. Also a special thanks to the staff at the Post Falls Library and to my videographer, Phil Currey.

References

Brown, K. (1987). Frederick Post. Vertical Files Post Falls History Of, #3. Post Falls, ID: Post Falls Library.

Crosby, M. (1962). A brief historical sketch of the Post family. Vertical Files Post Falls History Of, # 1. Post Falls, ID: Post Falls Library.

Dahlgren D. & Kincaid, S. (1996). In All the West No Place Like This. Coeur d' Alene, ID: PageWorks Publication Services.

Perkins, C. (1936). History of Post Falls. Vertical Files Post Falls History Of, #10. Post Falls, ID: Post Falls Library.

Singletary, R. (1994). Kootenai Chronicles: A History of Kootenai County. Post Falls, ID: PageWorks Publication Services.