These 8 Towns In Idaho Still Look Like Something Straight Out Of The Wild West
Living in Idaho is like living in a time capsule. Just a short distance from any urban area in the Gem State is a town that looks like its been stuck in the mid 1800’s for the past 150 years. They are a wonderful reminder of the rich history our state has from the mining days of the gold rush. Although many of these towns still have a good number of residents to them, they’ve been perfectly preserved to reflect what life was like to Idaho’s early residents. If you’re looking for a fun day trip to take with the family, consider visiting one of these beautiful towns.
Roseberry is an especially
interesting historic town because during its heyday in the late 19th
century, it was considered one of the most important towns in Idaho.
However, many business owners and residents abandoned it in 1914 when a
railroad was built just a few miles away (at what would become
Donnelly). In the last few decades, though, there has been an enormous
effort to bring this town back to what it once was. And that's just what
has happened. Many of the historic buildings have been newly renovated
and shops like the General Store are back in business. The town even
hosts many annual events including The Summer Music Festival at
Roseberry.
If you find yourself driving along
the Salmon River Scenic Byway you will undoubtedly pass through Challis.
The popular resort town of Sun Valley is only a mere 80 miles away but
the two towns couldn't be more different. Challis has maintained a very
Western vibe. On the main street in its "downtown" area, the same
structures that were bustling with bodies during the mid-nineteenth
century are still maintained by small business owners. Challis feels
like it never really left the Wild West, and that's what makes a trip to
the town so interesting.
Nestled in the very southeastern
corner of the state is the very first permanent European settlement in
Idaho. Founded in 1860, Franklin's original structures still stand tall.
The streets of Franklin used to stay busy with stagecoaches going to
and from Yellowstone National Park. Today the town still attracts a lot
of visitors who are curious as to what Idaho's first town looks like,
and it maintains a population of around 600 people.
With a population of merely 16
(yes, 16) long term residents, it's hard to believe that Warren once
attracted thousands of people to the area after the discovery of gold.
The peaceful town is made of the same wooden structures that were built
at the town's beginning in 1862. Tucked away in the mountains and
surrounded by forest, the remoteness of Warren makes it feel like it
exists in a snow globe where time stands still!
The entire town square of this
southern Idaho town is recognized on the National Register of Historic
Places and it feels exactly like a reenactment of how people lived a
century ago. The downtown area consists of specialty shops that just
don't exist in cities any more, such as a shoe store and a quilting
shop. The historic buildings that have existed since the early 1900's
are in incredible shape and look like they could've been built recently.
A visit to Rupert doesn't feel like looking back at history, it feels
like living history.
A sign in this northern Idaho town
still reads "This is the town founded by a jackass and inhabited by his
descendants." The town still bears a certain gruffness of an old western
town and it's obvious that Kellogg is still very much proud of the role
it played in the mining industry. Although the town is slowly becoming a
small resort town with the popular Silver Mountain Resort nearby (which
has the largest gondola ride in North America, by the way), tokens of the mining town it once was are still very prominent.
Harrison was once considered to be
the largest town on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Presently, it perfectly combines
the old with the new to be what is now an incredibly picturesque lake
town. A century ago, the lake's marina was full of steamboats. Now, it
is usually home to personal boats used for recreation on the pristine
waters of Lake Coeur d'Alene. The charm of Harrison remains, however,
making it one of the most scenic of Idaho's historic towns.
Approximately two hours from
Spokane, Washington is the peaceful and almost forgotten town of Murray.
Whereas a lot of Idaho's old mining towns are still widely recognized
for their role during the silver and gold rush, Murray has taken a
backseat in these conversations. Most people don't know that Murray
produced a hefty amount of silver back in the day (1.2 billion ounces to
be exact). Today, it is almost completely abandoned. However, it is
still home to some incredible historical sites. Old mining equipment can
still be found along the streets and you can even visit one of the
original houses where an owner in the past dug a 36 feet deep hole in
his bedroom, convinced that he could find gold beneath the house. The
town may be quiet today, but the history of the once booming Wild West
town speaks for itself.
Have you been to any of these “Wild West” towns? What Idaho towns do you believe belongs on this list? Let us know! While you’re at it, check out the 10 Most Beautiful, Charming Small Towns In Idaho!
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