6 Idaho Cities That Will Take You Back in Time

Idaho is known for its diverse landscape of rivers, mountains and farmland in the Pacific Northwest, adjacent to Washington and Oregon. In addition to its breathtaking scenery, this magnificent state is home to numerous picturesque towns with fascinating history. Idaho’s history lies in its native peoples, the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the pioneers of the Oregon Trail. Traveling to small towns like Montpelier or Lewiston provides a vivid picture of past lives and times.

Montpelier

Montpelier is part of Bear Lake County and is known for its numerous outdoor activities near Bear Lake, but that’s not all. The charming city also has a long history. The community was founded as a stop on the Oregon Trail and has since been home to phosphate mines, the railroad, and thriving farmers and ranchers. To relive the time when pioneers traveled in wagons along the trails that once ran through the city, spend a day at the National Oregon/California Trail Center. Another historical connection to the city is the Bank of Montpelier, which Butch Cassidy and his crew robbed in 1896. The Butch Cassidy Museum, which houses memorabilia and other artifacts from this infamous period, is located in the old bank building. Visit the Montpelier Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and learn about its past.

Lewiston

Lewiston became Idaho’s first capital in 1863 during the Idaho Gold Rush and remained so until Boise replaced it in 1865. The Nimiipuu, also known as the Nez Perce tribe, have lived there for thousands of years. The Nez Perce County Historical Society showcases its culture and traditions through interactive exhibits and exhibits. Follow in their footsteps on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which stretches beyond Idaho’s eastern and western borders. The Lewis & Clark Discovery Center is another way to understand Lewiston’s history. The center, located at Hells Gate State Park, features a two-acre outdoor interpretive facility, educational exhibits, a gift shop and a short film commemorating Lewis and Clark’s journey to the region. In addition to exploring the past, you can also experience Lewiston’s adventurous side by discovering the untamed splendor of Hells Canyon.

Wallace

Wallace and the surrounding area have produced significant amounts of silver and are considered one of the most productive silver mining areas in the United States. You can discover this part of Wallace’s fascinating past by taking one of the many mining tours available. Experienced miners will guide you through the main tunnel of an underground silver mine on the Sierra Silver Mine tour. You can also book the Crystal Gold Mine tour, the Northwest’s only true underground gold mine tour dating back to the 1880s. In addition to various tours, the Wallace District Mining Museum offers further insights into this mining town. The Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum also details Wallace’s rich history. There, explore historical exhibits and exhibits by entering a replica of a former train station that was still in use. Wallace also offers world-class recreational opportunities. Hike the Blossom Lakes Trail, fish on the Coeur d’Alene River, or enjoy a snowmobile ride in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

Pierce

Pierce is a notable historic town because it was near the site of the first significant discovery of gold in the Idaho Territory. By the end of 1861, over 10,000 miners flocked to the area when Pierce was founded. Prepare to step back in time and visit the J. Howard Bradbury Logging Museum, home to artifacts from mining, logging and local history. For a taste of the past, visit Pierce in August when the annual 1860 Days event takes place. This community tradition celebrates Pierce as Idaho’s first mining town and provides insight into the beginning of the Idaho Gold Rush. You can also learn about the city’s past along the Gold Rush Historic Byway using a map of nearby landmarks and kiosks highlighting important figures and Pierce’s history.

Silver City

To understand Silver City’s rich mining history, visit the Poorman Mine, whose rocky remains are reminiscent of a once-thriving mining village in the 1860s. In neighboring Murphy, the Owyhee County Historical Society Museum & Library details the early lives of farmers, ranchers and miners. A visit to Silver City isn’t complete without a visit to the Idaho Hotel, the state’s oldest hotel. The historic hotel wasn’t always in town, however, as it was built in 1863 in Ruby City, about a mile away. The hotel was dismantled and later transported to Silver City in 1866. Additionally, the Idaho Hotel is also home to Our Lady of Tears, the third oldest Catholic church in Idaho, in Silver City.

Idaho City

Idaho City grew rapidly during the Boise Basin Gold Rush and was briefly one of the largest cities in the Pacific Northwest. It was founded during the largest gold rush since the California gold rush, the Boise Basin Gold Rush, in late 1862. To distinguish it from Bannack in southwestern Montana, the city was renamed Idaho City by the newly formed Idaho Territorial Assembly as its population increased. Today, a piece of Idaho City’s history remains. Historic structures include the Boise Basin Museum, housed in the old Pinney Post Office and displaying a collection of mining relics. Other famous places that will take you back in time include the Masonic Temple and Boot Hill Cemetery.

These Idaho towns will take you back in time

It would be worth traveling to the small towns of Idaho. Explore mining areas like Wallace and Pierce or learn about notorious criminal Butch Cassidy and his famous bank robbery in Montpelier. With a wealth of historic sites, museums and cultural institutions, these cities will take you back in time.