Local Weiser women preserving history

In 1916, Frank Mortimer and his wife opened the Oregon Trail Park on an island on the Weiser River, where the couple planted trees and installed several attractions including a carousel.
 The Oregon Trail Park, known by locals as “Mortimer’s Island,” became a sensation around the Treasure Valley and Weiser River Valley areas, said historian Dottie Emert.
 Called “the pride and delight of the city” by the Weiser Signal American in 1929, the park was a popular visitor and recreation site.
 Mortimer’s Island remained popular and successful until its closure in 1933. After the park closed, Mortimer and his wife continued to live in Weiser. He passed away in 1957, was cremated and buried next to his wife, without a headstone.
 Snake River Heritage Center board member Lisa McKnight, with the board’s approval, said she will host a community fundraiser to build a headstone for the Weiser historical figure as well as clean his wife’s current headstone.
 “We don’t want him forgotten,” said McKnight.
 After learning Mortimer lacked a headstone from a colleague working at Hillcrest Cemetery, McKnight joined the Snake River Heritage Center museum board and began the project toward obtaining a headstone.
 Mortimer initially did not receive one likely due to lack of funds and lack of close family relations in the Weiser area. His body was cremated, and his remains were buried next to his wife’s with a plaque signifying its placement.
 “You couldn’t find anything bad about him anywhere,” said Emert. “He was always considered a very congenial man, a very outgoing man, a very community minded man. I’m glad we’re going to find a tombstone for him.”
 Settling in Weiser after his traveling entertainment group made a stop, Mortimer soon bought the Weiser Newsstand, a business which he operated until selling in 1940.
 The large piece of glass shelving furniture featured behind the newsstand counter when owned by Mortimer can now be seen on display at the Snake River Heritage Center, along with several other historical pieces associated with him.
 “The younger generation doesn’t know this,” said McKnight. “We want them to know our history and learn from our history and honor our history.”
 A total of $2,210 will be raised by public tax-deductible donations. The price includes a headstone for Mortimer as well as a deep cleaning for the wife’s headstone. Both Emert and McKnight said their efforts were to preserve the history of Weiser and to honor a man that helped build the town.
 In 1952, he willed Mortimer’s Island to the city. It now houses the filtration plant and still has its trees planted by its namesake.
 “It saddens me that he doesn’t have a headstone in the town he did so much for,” said McKnight.
 To donate and help raise money for Frank Mortimer’s headstone, cash or checks are being accepted at Thomason Funeral Home, Hillcrest Cemetery offices between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., at the Weiser Signal American or can be mailed directly to Lisa McKnight at 1291 E. Ninth St., Weiser, Idaho.