Mount Idaho, Idaho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mount Idaho
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 Mount Idaho, Idaho
Location in the United States
Mount Idaho, Idaho
Location in Idaho
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| Country | United States |
| State | Idaho |
| County | Idaho |
| Elevation | 3,640 ft (1,110 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Mount Idaho is a fascinating ghost town located in the western part of the United States. You can find it in Idaho County, Idaho. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and it's no longer a lively community. For many years, from 1875 to 1902, Mount Idaho was actually the most important town in Idaho County. It served as the county seat, which means it was the main center for government and official business.
Contents
The Story of Mount Idaho
Early Days and a Brave Founder
Imagine a long trail, about 45 miles (72 km) long, that opened near Mount Idaho in 1860. This trail was one of the very first "toll roads" in the area. A toll road is like a special path where you have to pay a small fee to use it.
Local stories say that the owner of this road, Mose Milner, had an amazing adventure. He was forced to sell the area after getting hurt in a fight with a wild mountain lion! The person who bought it was Loyal P. Brown. Many people consider Brown to be the founder of Mount Idaho.
The town of Mount Idaho officially started around 1862. It was set up as a helpful outpost for people working in the nearby gold mines. By 1873, Mount Idaho was well-connected. You could travel there by stagecoach from Lewiston, which was a big deal back then!
Mount Idaho During the Nez Perce War
In 1877, a big conflict called the Nez Perce War happened. During this time, a hotel in Mount Idaho was used as a hospital. It helped people who were injured in the fighting. Some of the soldiers who died in the war were even buried in the town's cemetery. A very important battle, the Battle of White Bird Canyon, was fought very close to Mount Idaho on June 17th of that year.
The Town Changes Over Time
By 1892, Mount Idaho was becoming a rival to a nearby town called Grangeville. Grangeville was only about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to the northwest. Both towns wanted to be the most important place in Idaho County.
Ten years later, in 1902, Grangeville won this friendly competition. The county seat was officially moved from Mount Idaho to Grangeville. This was a big change for Mount Idaho. By 1922, the town's post office closed down. This meant that Mount Idaho had mostly become part of Grangeville. It was no longer a separate, bustling town.
