Melville Jensen Development Property

Melville Jensen Development Property History - Written By: Lyle Jensen

In 1918 Grandpa Jensen, Henry and wife Carrie, migrated to Idaho from New Zealand. Arriving by Wagon from port in Portland with 2 children, Melville and Elsie ages 5 and 3, they traveled through Pocatello to Coulum, Idaho near Preston where Mr. Henry Jensen bought a small cattle ranch. The next year during the winter of 1919 the cattle froze to death standing on their feet. Broke and dejected the family migrated to Pocatello where Mr. Jensen secured a job digging ditch for water flue from Inkom to Pocatello. Mr. Gregerson, the foreman and member of Mr. Jensen’s church, accepted the Jensen family into their home. On occasion, Mr. Jensen spoke of his desire to purchase a farm in the area. One Saturday, in the spring of 1920, Mr. Gregerson and Jensen rode north on Yellowstone Highway to see what was available. Approaching the intersection of Yellowstone and Tyhee Road, Mr. Gregerson told Henry, “Now there are some farms to the left (west) some north (straight ahead) and right (east)”. Mr. Jensen said “let’s go east”. One mile east on Tyhee Rd. the Intersection bore left (north) or right (south) and ended to the east. Mr. Jensen noted a sign on the fence on the property going south. His interest was on the property which he discovered containing 100 acres. He then approached a widow lady, the owner, about the purchase which she told him she wanted $33,000 for the property, home and Carbide generator which generated the gas for lighting the home. On Monday a.m. Henry Jensen entered the Farmers and Merchants Bank to borrow $1,000 to secure part of the farm until finances could be arranged from his sister in New Zealand. On the visit the Bank Manager refused and again at noon he was refused, but on the 3rd visit, the Bank Manager opened his desk drawer and took out a check book, wrote out a check for $1,000 and told Mr. Jensen to take it to the widow and get his money! From these humble beginnings, Mr. Jensen started farming in the Tyhee area, served three 2-year missions for his church and added over 1700 acres to his original purchase. Raised 4 children, Melville, Elsie, Linda, and Veda, and paid off all the property before serving his 3rd mission to New Zealand from 1947 to 1949 with his wife Carrie. Some of the property consisting of a school section on the south of the Tyhee Chubbuck area cost him the change he had in his pocket and taxes. In the fall of 1949, a well was drilled (punched) to irrigate the 1700 acres added to the original purchase. The first year sugar beets, wheat, alfalfa and potatoes were raised yielding an abundant crop. The farm is one of the first sprinkler irrigated farms in Idaho, where upon Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft-Benson, later President of the LDS Church, brought 3 bus loads of Farm Bureau officials from various parts of the nation to tour and view the “new irrigation” system taking new farm land into production.

MELVILLE JENSEN DEVELOPMENT PARCEL

Introduction: The Melville Jensen Estate is situated in an ideal location off of Buffalo Road in (Tyhee) Bannock County, Idaho. It is ideally located in a Hub with numerous development possibilities. With history dating from 1920 and the influence of the early farming communities, this parcel has evolved into a land of many uses with a flavor of the past and a vision for the future.

Location: The property is situated east of the Hiline Canal of the Fort Hall Irrigation Project and West of Interstate I-15, in Bannock County, Idaho. Ideally located with Jackson Hole Wyoming approximately 100 miles north and Salt Lake City approximately 150 miles south via Interstate I-15. The property is centrally located for easy access and future development in a growing area.Property: The property consists of 400 +/- acres, with irrigation from a privately owned well centrally located on the property.Water: Together with Seller’s interest in approximately 2.24 cfs/770 afa for approx. 192.5 ac West I-15. Water Right Claim Number 29-2292. Also to include 0.66 cfs/282.1 afa Limited to 149.3 ac. w/in 192.5 acres west of I-15. Water Right Claim Number 29-13144 West of I-15, as per the Idaho Division of Water Resources.

Gas, Oil, Mineral & Geothermal Rights: Sellers to convey their interest, if any, in all gas, oil, mineral and geothermal rights.

Included Items: Sale of property to include 2 pivots, irrigation well and pump. All watering equipment and 4” hand lines presently on the property.

Utilities: Electrical service is provided by Idaho Power & Light Co.

Taxes: Taxes for 2004 were $6,855.04 as per Bannock County Assessor’s Office.

Development Potential: See City of Chubbuck, Comprehensive Plan, approved by vote of the council January 8, 2002.

Sales Price: The property is being marketed for $6,950,000.

Price:	$6,950,000
Location:	Pocatello (Chubbuck), ID
Acreage:	400 +/- Acres

Contact Information: Lorinda Seamons: (208) 339-3890; Tom Flinders: (801) 599-1933