Preserving Box Elder History for Future Generations
Across the nation, communities are preserving pieces of their history through time capsules. In 2026, Box Elder joined that tradition by creating its own Centennial Time Capsule.
The time capsule will be opened in 2064, marking 100 years since the City’s first ordinance was established in 1964.
Community members were invited to contribute items representing three themes: 2026 Box Elder, Culture & Arts, and Family History & Community Life.
The capsule includes school memorabilia, a church program, Girl Scout items, letters to future generations, Ellsworth Air Force Base memorabilia, City publications, 17 patches, and 12 challenge coins.
Thank You to Our Contributors
We are grateful to everyone who contributed to this time capsule and helped preserve a piece of Box Elder history for future generations.
Our thanks go to Mayor Larry Larson; the Box Elder Police Department; Ellsworth Service Girl Scout Unit; Air & Space Museum; Security Forces; 89th Attack Squadron; the Marauders; Novum Nano; Hangar Pub; MercyGate Church; and community members Doris Nelson, Nancy Maynard, and Mayor Glen Baldwin.
Sentinel Federal Credit Union donated a flash drive featuring a video about their mural, painted by former Box Elder resident Aaron Pearcy. We also thank City staff, the Finance Department, Ana Curry, Chaz Kokesh, and Rebecca Bader for their contributions.
Below is the time capsule box being filled with items.
Final Photo of all the donated items.
A Piece of Our Story
These items cannot tell the entire story of Box Elder in 2026, but perhaps they don't need to.
Each item is a small reminder of a much bigger story: generations of young people, community service, local families, the City's history, and the lasting partnership between Box Elder and Ellsworth Air Force Base.
When the capsule is opened in 2064, we hope these pieces make future generations curious about the people who placed them here and the community we were building.
We were here. This was our Box Elder. And we cared enough to save a little piece of it for you.
Centennial Time Capsule Dedication
The Centennial Box Elder Time Capsule was officially dedicated on September 12, 2026, during the 9th Annual Salute to Ellsworth.
The dedication brought together community members, City staff, local organizations, and contributors to celebrate Box Elder’s history and leave a small piece of 2026 for future generations to discover.
