Lava Hot Springs to celebrate its beginnings with annual Founders Day celebration on July 27

John Hall with his wife Salina and their five children left England in 1883 to sail to better offered opportunities in America, eventually settling for the next seven years in Oxford, Idaho.

In 1890, they moved to Dempsey, Idaho, and created a 160-acre homestead along the Portneuf River.

After travelers started to visit the natural hot springs on his land, Hall decided his homestead should be a city. After much work and diligence, Hall established plots sold for homes and businesses. By 1911, the townsite had its first residents and Hall named the town “Hall City.”

The history books show that on July 24, 1915, the city council signed on Bannock County records that the town's new name was “Lava Hot Springs” after citizens decided to rename the community after its unique water resources.

The town also began holding a Founders Day celebration every year in late July to celebrate its beginnings.

This year's Founders Day will be held on July 27. There will be a pickleball tournament kicking off at 7 a.m. and a fun run/walk at 8 a.m. The Main Street Parade will be at 10:30 a.m. and the Party in the Park follows from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Buddy Campbell Park at 482 W. Main St. will be the primary location of all the events.

Please register online to participate in the pickleball and fun runs at https://runsignup.com/Race/ID/LavaHotSprings/FoundersDayFunRun.

All proceeds raised by Founders Day will go to support the music and reading programs at Lava Elementary School.

All Founders Day events and activities are open to the public.