Stokes give $100,000 for historic Oneida Stake Academy building restoration

Larry and Brock Stokes and Stokes Market gave $100,000 to the restoration of the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation, helping to make installation of an HVAC system possible. (Left to right) Pictured with them are (front) Alexis Beckstead, Larry Stokes, Brock Stokes, John Olsen; (row two) Stacy Barton, Diana Higley, Kris Swainston, Troy Graves and Tyler Seamons; (row three) Kylee Olson, Karolee Read and Jim Cooper; (back) Mike Reed, Aaron Winward and Shannon McCabe. Not pictured are Kim Coats and Jason Moffitt.

Photo by NECIA P. SEAMONS

In honor of many generations of family members who attended the Oneida Stake Academy, Stokes Market has committed $100,000 towards the building’s restoration.

When complete, it will be a cultural center and museum of local history for the people of Preston and Franklin County.

“It’s a jewel. It’s like you go mining and you find that gem in the dirt and polish it up,” said Larry Stokes, owner of Stokes Market.

Although he grew up elsewhere, Larry’s roots run deep in Franklin County as a descendant of Parkinsons, Packers, Becksteads, Stokes, Smiths and Cowleys who helped to build this community.

Larry came to Preston over 50 years ago as a new dentist, taking over the practice of Dr. L. V. Merrill. Since then, his son Derek has followed in his footsteps, and they have discovered another local dentist in the family. Their great-uncle Samuel Packer attended the Oneida Stake Academy with his siblings, loved playing on the school’s basketball team and graduated in 1913. He practiced dentistry in Preston from 1916 through the 1940s.

He was also a charter member of the Preston Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the Rotary Club, a member of the Preston City Council for six years, a member of the Boots and Saddle club, and a Red Cross worker.

Sam’s sister, Edna, was a member of the Aurora Girls Chorus at the Oneida Stake Academy, from 1913-1914. She married Henry Stokes, who had been born in Franklin, Idaho, and they became Larry’s grandparents. Henry got into the grocery business, beginning another family legacy in Preston which is being carried on by another of Larry’s sons, Brock. 

“Preserving and restoring the Oneida Stake Academy is not only about maintaining a beautiful historic building, it’s about keeping those memories of our ancestors and pride for our local heritage alive; and I am grateful that our family has played a small role in making the restoration of the Academy possible. I look forward to taking my own kids to this building to tell them of what our ancestors have done, and what we continue to do to treasure their hard work and sacrifice,” said Brock.

He, like others, has recently come to appreciate the value of the building to this community.

“Very seldom does anyone find a young teenager who appreciates the history of his community. Growing up, I would frequently see the Oneida Stake Academy as a faint backdrop to high school football games. But, at the time, it was just another building.

“Over time, I came to appreciate how historic buildings play an important role in teaching us what we sometimes take for granted, such as the sacrifices our ancestors have made in order to provide a quality education to their children and their descendants. We, including my own family, are the beneficiaries of that legacy,” he said.

Of the 200 employees of Stokes Market, most of them have some family connection to the OSA building. For over a century, the Academy building played a pivotal role in setting the feet of area youth on the path of education and success.

“I’m grateful to the Stokes family and employees for their generous donation and support! It’s great that local people are seeing the vision of what this building can become. We all have some connection to the Academy and it’s important that we do our part in preserving it,” said John Olsen, board member of the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation.

“The Stokes Market donation capped off efforts of the Oneida Stake Academy Foundation to raise just over half a million dollars to install an HVAC system in the building, and we are incredibly grateful,” said Alexis Beckstead of the OSAF.

Others who made significant contributions to this phase are the Larry Miller Family Foundation, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, and others.

Construction will begin as soon as parts come in, said Shane Wilde of DWA Construction, which manages the contractors doing work on the building according to drawings completed by Design West.

The foundation is now raising funds to complete plumbing, electrical, framing and drywall in the building. Once those stages are completed, the building just needs finish work and an elevator to be open to the public.

“We invite the descendants of the people who built and attended this grand icon of Preston’s pioneer spirit to join us in funding its restoration,” said Beckstead.

Doing so is simple. Funds may be sent to P.O. Box 555, Preston, Idaho 83263, or sent via Venmo to @oneidastakeacademy.

Also, the OSAF’s recent book “Academy Memories,” illustrates the wide influence the building had on area residents. Persons interested in purchasing copies may contact Beckstead at (208) 851-2570.

(Originally published by NECIA P. SEAMONS Citizen correspondent Jul 9, 2024)