6 Must-See Historic Towns in Idaho

Idaho is the perfect emblem of a Western state. The Gem State is celebrated for its natural beauty, with landscapes that span plains sections, great swaths of thick forests, and stretches of the mighty Rocky Mountains. It also has a fascinating history, which encompasses early mining efforts and gold rushes, potato farming, and the rugged frontier of the Wild West. Travelers can see pieces of all these histories and much more through these tiny towns.

Wallace

A small mountain town in northern Idaho, Wallace is the world’s largest silver producer. It holds the distinction as the wealthiest mining town still in existence, as well as being the last town listed in America’s National Register of Historic Places. The Wallace District Mining Museum should be the first stop for anyone looking to explore this aspect of the town’s history. The Northern Pacific Railroad Museum, Oasis Bordello Museum and Barnard Stockbridge Museum are all other great ways to learn more broadly about the heritage of Wallace and the surrounding area. Besides its history, the town sits on some staggeringly beautiful land, surrounded by mountains and the nearby Coeur d’Alene National Forest, and features countless opportunities for camping and hiking. It is also the Center of the Universe, or at least has been declared so because, according to Wallace’s mayor in 2004, “it can’t be disproven.” A manhole cover on Main Street celebrates this unlikely moniker. 

Murray

Just twenty miles from Wallace along the Prichard Creek in the rugged terrain of the Coeur d’Alene mountains is the old frontier town of Murray. A true image of life in the late 1800s, Murray will instantly bring every visitor back to the days when miners and cowboys would walk and ride the dirt streets under the crisp mountain air. In fact, legendary lawman Wyatt Earp was a regular resident of Wallace and even ran his own saloon in town. The Sprag Pole Inn and Museum is the destination in Wallace and will teach guests about the idiosyncratic heritage of the area, including the local legend of Molly B’Damn. Walk the streets of Murray and catch a glimpse of the John C. Feehan House, an old 19th-century log cabin, and then stop at The Bedroom Goldmine Bar and Grill, a local favorite that brings to mind the saloons of old. 

Idaho City

Located near the confluence of the Mores and Elk creeks is the town of Idaho City. Once a boomtown surrounding the Boise Basin gold rush of the mid-1800s, Idaho City today is a quiet little slice of 19th-century history. Many historic buildings line the streets of the small town, including the Boise Basin Museum, which is housed in what used to be the local post office. The museum has artifacts dating back to the gold rush era and is a must-stop for anyone interested in the history of the town. Idaho City was also home to a sizable Chinese population during its heyday, and the Pon Yam House, which belonged to a successful member of the community, is today a great spot to learn about this part of the town’s fascinating heritage. There are many other stops to make in historic Idaho City, including the Pioneer Cemetery and the Boise Basin Interpretive Association’s Visitor Center, all of which will enlighten and entertain those visitors looking to step into the past.

Montpelier

Settled by Mormon travelers in 1863 in southeast Idaho, Montpelier is a small town with some surprising connections to the distinctly American history of the old Wild West. Once an important stop along the trails and railroads that ran through the country’s frontier, the town is today a quiet refuge of western-affected streets and parks. This was not always the case, and Montpelier’s biggest claim to fame highlights this. In the heart of town is the unassuming Bank of Montpelier which became famous after Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch robbed it. Today, the bank is a museum dedicated to the outlaw and stands as the only remaining bank robbed by him. Montpelier is also home to the National Oregon/California Trail Center, where guests can enjoy learning about the frontier history of the town with artifacts, photos, and even live performances. 

Franklin

South of Montpelier on Idaho’s border with Utah is the oldest permanent European settlement in the state: Franklin. Another municipality settled by Latter-Day Saints, the town has its roots in the particular farming heritage of the early settling Mormons. Today, Franklin is both the tiny, tight-knit community you might expect of a small town in the western United States and a living monument to the mid-1800s when it was founded. Original buildings, such as the Relic Hall, Hatch House, and the Franklin Cooperative Mercantile Building, are all still standing and maintained as part of the Franklin Historic District. Franklin also has a connection to much more recent history, being one of the distinctly western towns used as a filming location in the off-beat hit Napoleon Dynamite. 

Blackfoot

Blackfoot is an incredibly important town to the history and identity of the state of Idaho. If there is one thing Idaho is known for, it is the potato and the town of Blackfoot claims the title of Potato Capital of the World. Potato fields spread across Bingham County, where Blackfoot sits, and there are many opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in the culture of potatoes celebrated within the region. The Idaho Potato Museum is chief amongst these, telling the story of the potato industry in Blackfoot and its connection to the growth of the community. For even more historical context, guests should also check out the Bingham County Historical Society Museum, which features an extensive collection detailing the history of the region more generally.

A Journey Through Idaho's Historic Towns

The historic towns of Idaho are as varied as they are compelling. With connections to characters as distinct as Butch Cassidy and Napoleon Dynamite, there is no limit to the kinds of experiences visitors can have in their exploration of the history of the region. While these towns are just the beginning, they serve as the perfect jumping-off point for anyone looking into the rich history of one of the West’s most captivating states.