National Register Listing

Empire School

300 South 50 East, Rupert, ID
Local significance of the building:
Education

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

education
Idaho was the first state to have a complete statewide system of television broadcasting. KIDO-TV, now KTVB, began broadcasting in Boise in 1953, and within a few years, the entire state was covered by a network of television stations.
Idaho random facts
Minidoka County, ID is located in the southern part of the state and was officially established on January 28, 1913. The county takes its name from the Dakota Sioux word for "a fountain or spring fed by water." The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Shoshone-Bannock and Northern Paiute, who relied on the region's natural resources for their sustenance.

In the late 1800s, settlers began to arrive in the area as part of the Homestead Act, which offered land to individuals who were willing to live on and cultivate it. The development of irrigation systems in the early 1900s led to increased agricultural activity in Minidoka County. The fertile soil and ample water supply attracted farmers, who primarily grew crops like sugar beets, barley, and potatoes.

During World War II, Minidoka County played a significant role in American history. In 1942, the Minidoka Relocation Center, one of ten internment camps established by the US government, was built in the county. Over 13,000 Japanese-Americans were forcibly relocated to the camp, enduring harsh living conditions and the loss of their civil liberties. The camp was eventually closed in 1945 after the end of the war.

In the post-war era, Minidoka County saw continued agricultural development, with farming becoming one of the main economic drivers in the area. The county also experienced growth in its retail and service sectors, as well as some manufacturing industries. Today, Minidoka County remains a primarily rural area, with a strong agricultural base and a small but close-knit community.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Minidoka County, Idaho.

  • 1863 - Minidoka County is established as part of the Idaho Territory.
  • 1904 - The Minidoka Irrigation Project begins, attracting settlers to the area.
  • 1910 - Rupert is incorporated as the first city in Minidoka County.
  • 1913 - Minidoka County is officially organized.
  • 1942 - Japanese-Americans are forcibly relocated to the Minidoka Internment Camp during World War II.
  • 1945 - The Minidoka Internment Camp closes at the end of the war.
  • 1959 - The Minidoka Dam and Reservoir are completed, providing additional water resources for the county.
  • 1975 - The Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge is established.
  • 1990 - The City of Paul is incorporated in Minidoka County.
  • 2006 - A severe windstorm causes significant damage in Minidoka County.