Just Down the Road

Butte County, Idaho, located in the southeastern part of the state, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The land was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Shoshone-Bannock and Lemhi Shoshone tribes, who relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering for their sustenance.

In the early 1800s, European fur trappers and explorers arrived in the area, including Lewis and Clark during their expedition. The establishment of the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s brought waves of settlers, primarily from the east, searching for fertile land and gold. Butte County soon became a prominent stop on the trail, with several established settlements to accommodate the increasing number of travelers.

In the late 1800s, gold was discovered in Butte County, leading to a gold rush and the rapid growth of mining towns. The town of Arco, which was originally a stage station, became a major center for mining and trade. The discovery of rich gold deposits in the Blackbird Mining District fueled the county's development, attracting miners from across the country.

However, as the gold supply began to dwindle in the early 1900s, many mining communities declined, leading to a shift in the county's economy. Agriculture became a dominant industry, with farmers cultivating crops such as potatoes, sugar beets, and grains. Today, Butte County continues to be an agricultural hub, known for its thriving farming and ranching communities. While mining may not be as prominent as it once was, remnants of its history can still be seen in the county's landscape, with abandoned mines and historic buildings preserving the memory of Butte County's early days.