What’s with the Dover road names?

DOVER — The early days of Dover are captured in the city's newly completed “Dover, Idaho Roads and Landmarks” project.

The public is invited to the project's premiere on Thursday, May 26, at the Dover City Hall. The event begins at 6 p.m.

The project is a 20-page full-color booklet that traces the history of two dozen families with streets or park landmarks named after them in Dover Bay. Street names like Pomrankey, Ames, and Becker are a nod to those who have had an impact on Dover, some families with a legacy of nearly 100 years.

“For over a year, a group of Dover neighbors have contacted these families, collected photos, written up histories and genealogies and it is all compiled in this beautifully designed brochure,” said Joe Gibbs, chair of the Dover Historical Committee. “It has been an incredible labor of love.”

The ad hoc committee of 13 volunteers, many of them long-time Dover residents, began work on the project in January 2021. The May 26 event will be the first time the public sees it. Though it is not yet available in print, it will be viewed on a large screen.

“The Dover City Council recently passed Ordinance 176 to form an official, Dover Historical Committee,” said Dover Mayor George Eskridge, who is among those who worked on the project. “This great ‘Roads and Landmarks’ project will help preserve the culture and rich history of our small town as it grows. We want that work to continue and we are excited to support the new committee at City Hall.”

Dover City Hall is located at 699 Lakeshore Ave. near the Dover City Beach. Donations for the printing of the project may be made at the event. For those who cannot attend and would like to contribute, checks or money orders may be sent to Dover City Hall, PO Box 15, Dover, ID 83825. Checks should be made out to the City of Dover, with “Dover Historical Committee” on the memo line.