The claimant was required to show proof of reclamation, irrigation and cultivation over the course of 3 years, after which time, for a payment of $1.25/acre, the deed could be issued.

[3] In the case of Charles Tautphaus, the process of claiming and giving final proof to the Government Land Office in Blackfoot, Idaho took 6 years.

[4] He met and married his Irish immigrant wife Sarah Kane Tautphaus in Alameda, California where their 5 daughters were born.

He filed his claim on the acreage encompassing present-day Tautphaus Park in 1884 and proceeded to build a series of canals, a reservoir and a ranch over the subsequent 6 years.

After hosting many private parties at their home, in 1904 the Tautphaus family began toying with the idea of opening their property to the public as a park.

[5] Charles Tautphaus’ untimely death from pneumonia in 1906 while freighting in Tonopah, Nevada put an end to this dream.

[6] During his 60-year lifetime, Charles Tautphaus held many careers, including butcher and miner, but his lasting legacy is his irrigation of the semi-arid lands of Eastern Idaho and his namesake park.

By 1912 a grandstand was erected in time for the first War Bonnet Roundup Rodeo which was held in conjunction with the annual fair.

In 1914 the Fair Association was financially unable to continue operating the park and title reverted to widow Sarah Tautphaus.

Frank Reno, as he was known, was a long time friend of Charles Tautphaus and a founding member of the War Bonnet Roundup Rodeo.

In an Idaho Falls Times article published Feb 10, 1916, Smith Realty Company describes brokering the sale.

[16] Buildings still in existence on Tautphaus Park property from this time period include the caretaker's residence, the log hut used by bathers and one of the horse barns.

Today the zoo sits on 7 acres within Tautphaus Park and houses over 300 individual animals representing 130 exotic species.

[18][19] Tautphaus Park Zoological Society is a non-profit corporation dedicated to helping the City promote and expand the zoo.

Funland was restored and re-opened in 2023 to bring back the history and nostalgia, while also providing a safe and enjoyable experience for young and old.

A master plan study from 2016 illustrates the goals for the future of Tautphaus Park which has seen some of the objectives completed over time as funding becomes available.