Historical Markers
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i.... L Table of Contents c Tribute to Merle Wells 5 L Introduction: History Surrounds Us 6 L: About Idaho Historical Markers 8 L: How to Use This Guide 9 Historic Trail Map 10 I L Idaho Historical Markers c by Highway Route 12 Index, by Highway 150 L Alphabetical Index 156 [J County License Plate Designators and History 160 c The Idaho Highway Department's first truck (now the Idaho Transportation Department). An Idaho History Primer 162 The "cook shack" moved with the crews. c Credits 163 I c For More Information 163 c 3 A painting of this freight wagon scene near Ketchum in the Idaho HistoriCal Museum is worth about $45,000. Bald Mountain is in the back~round. A Tribute To Merle Wells State historian emeritus Dr. Merle Wells Wells wrote the legislation creating has been instrumental in the development the state archives. He was head of the and continuing progress of the highway National Register of Historic Places historical marker program. program in Idaho and has worked for Dr. Wells has identified and written the the Idaho State Historical Society, majority of the texts for the signs and has both officially and as an unpaid been involved with the program since its volunteer, for nearly 50 years. He has inception in 1956. His efforts have made taught in six college departments and Idaho's historical marker program one of written over 113 articles and 15 the finest in the nation. books about the state or region. The depth and breadth of Wells' impact Arthur Hart, director emeritus of the on the state's historical markers is re Idaho State Historical Society, flected in a Utah historian's journal entry likened Wells to a walking encyclopedia. precious store of closely integrated as he traced the route of fur trader "For anybody who studies or writes about information, as if he had been there when Alexander Ross: Idaho history, Merle Wells is the final ... the territorial government of Idaho was authority," said Hart. established." "I was sure I was onto something nobody c else had ever figured out, and then, as I Since Wells' official retirement in 1986, he Wells continues to add to a lasting rounded a bend on the road to Galena has continued writing historical books historical legacy and has left an indelible Summit, here was this big historical sign and conducting research and consultation mark on the historic marker program. As with the headline, 'ALEXANDER ROSS.' at the state archives he helped create. future generations travel Idaho highways, Merle Wells had been there before me, At Wells' retirement, David Stratton, they'll learn about Idaho's past thanks to a and for the rest of the summer I kept professor emeritus at Washington State great teacher, Merle Wells. running into more of his signs." University said, "Wells has accumulated a 5 . \ - uwhat is ail :-~- !' ... ..- . knowledge tao '.. ~_, -'i but r~corded ~xp~rkn~~;::..;· ::~ . - . .... .>: ·~. ·;. _and a produc_t of history... ,,·. -~ - .:. _· "-~,-- -~-~:;;.-~ ""'.l Evolution of the Historical Marker Program The Idaho Transportation Department of the highway to read them. Road signs and the Idaho Historical Society began announcing the historical markers are prqmoting the historical heritage of Idaho typically posted about 1,000 feet in through the use of highway markers in advance of the site to provide an opportu 1956. Before the organization of this nity to slow down and turn out safely program, historical markers of various The program was revitalized in 1986 with shapes and sizes were installed through the installation of over 100 new signs in the efforts of private organizations or by preparation for Idaho's centennial celebra relatives of the pioneers. In most cases, tion of statehood in 1990. There are now these markers were installed, properly 244 historical markers along the gem dedicated and then left to the elements state's highways. and vandals. The new program organized, standardized and maintained the state's historical markers. The Idaho Historical Society proposes sites and prepares preparation, location, installation and information for maintenance of the four-foot by eight-foot the signs. The wooden signs. Idaho Transporta The signs are located at roadside turnouts tion Department or near other available parking so that directs the you will not have to park on the shoulder 8 How to Use This Guide All too often people drive by historical markers and wonder, "What did it say7 " Sign Title This guide provides answers in advance and may lead to interesting and rewarding stops in your travels. The guide also General allows travelers to pass a marker without Location stopping while a passenger reads the text. The signs in the guide are arranged by highway number starting with U.S. 2 and ending with Idaho 200. South to north highways have odd numbers while west to east highways are evenly num bered. Since the milepost markers begin from the western and southern most point, the booklet follows odd-numbered Highway highways from south to north and even numbered highways from west to east. Interstate mileposts are used for both Some of the texts in the guide may vary By providing the location and text for directions, unless otherwise noted. Two from those on the signs. The signs are each historical marker, this guide acts as a L indexes in the back of the guide are periodically reviewed by the Historical historical compass to enhance the travel arranged numerically by highway number Society and updated as appropriate. Signs ing pleasure for both Idahoans and their or alphabetically by sign title. Each sign may also be moved for historical, safety or visitors. has a unique sign number, which is noted accessibility reasons. L at the bottom of each sign entry. 9 Historic Trails __,, • • • • • • • Oregon Trail - - Oregon Trail South Alternate -I I I I -I I I I Lewis and Clark Trail - - Kelton Road Hudspeth's Cutoff/California Trail --.... - r -··-··- Nez Perce Trail (upper and lower) I I I I I I I I I I I I I Lander Road/California Trail - . ---- Lolo Trail J , ....... Goodale's Cutoff ( ( ( c c c c Seneacquoteen Saint Joseph The Mullan Road Milepost: 15 Indian Mission Milepost: 95.7 At Laclede Milepost: 92.4 Long before white men discovered this On November 4, 1842, Father Nicholas Designed to connect the Missouri and the river, Indians used to camp here at this Point began a] esuit mission that settled Columbia rivers, this military wagon road important early crossing. here after a winter at Coeur d'Alene. was constructed past here in 1859. Fur traders, surveyors and miners Eagerly sought by the Coeur d'Alene Swamps in the St. Joe Valley had to be followed the old Indian trail that forded Indians, the black-robed missionaries corduroyed with logs, and 70 men spent a the river here at Seneacquoteen - a supervised the building of a log cabin and week digging out sidehills south of here Kalispell word meaning "crossing." in the spring began to teach "the myster and chopping through three miles of During the Kootenay gold rush of 1864, a ies of plowing and planting." Soon, two forest. But after all that work, spring wagon road came from Walla Walla to a thirds of the tribe was baptized. But floods floods made this route impassable. Two ferry here. The Wild Horse Trail - a pack gave trouble here and in 1846, the years later, Mullan had to survey and route - ran on north to the Kootenay mission moved north to Cataldo. build a new section of his road around the mines in British Columbia. Sign number: 42 north of Coeur d'Alene Lake. Sign number: 177 Sign number: 285 13 Frisco Mill John Mullan Milepost: S. I Milepost: 7.1 Milepost: 17.8 At John Mullan Park in St. Maries During a gun war that broke out between Lead-silver discoveries in 1884 attracted a John Mullan was the Army officer who in company and union miners here, several railroad to Burke by 1887. Hundreds of 1859-62 surveyed and built the Mullan boxes of dynamite were exploded, miners lived there in a canyon so narrow Road from Walla Walla, Washington, to shattering a four-story mill, July 11, 1892. that they scarcely had room for streets. Fort Benton, Montana. Overwhelmed by union miners, company So in 1888, S.S. Glidden's Tiger Hotel had The road was to connect the Missouri and managers surrendered. Six fatalities - to be built over, rather than beside, the Columbia rivers. Congress approved it half from each side - preceded four Canyon Creek. Railroad tracks and in 1855. Indian troubles and lack of funds months of martial law and military Burke's only highway also had to run delayed the job, but the road was com occupation by 1,000 soldiers. A long through his hotel. When a second railroad pleted in 1862. The first route in 1859 series of battles followed. Resumed in arrived in 1890, its tracks had to be laid had passed about six miles west of here, North Idaho in 1899, this conflict contin in Burke's only street. No other hotel had but floods forced a change, and the final ued in Colorado, Montana, Nevada and two railroads, a street and a stream road passed north of Coeur d'Alene Lake. Arizona. running through it. Interstate 90 follows Mullan's final route. Sign number: 424 Sign number: 426 Sign number: 286 14 Lewis and Clark Chinese Hanging Canal Gulch Milepost: 17.2 Milepost: 27.5 Milepost: 28.6 Journeying toward the Clearwater River, Charged with hacking a prominent local The famous gold rush days of Idaho six men under William Clark met the merchant to pieces, five Chinese were began on September 30, 1860, when WF Nez Perce Indians not far from here, hanged here by vigilantes Bassett struck gold just about here.