Shoshone Historic Walking Tour

SHOSHONE HISTORIC WALKING TOUR

The Village of Shoshone was laid out in October 1882 in anticipation of railroad construction. The Union Pacific Oregon Shortline construction camp set up near the town in February 1883. Shoshone is known as the oldest town in the Magic Valley area and once to have the "widest main street in the world" due to the four sets of tracks running through the center of the business district.

Shoshone is the county seat for Lincoln County, a rural farming area of just over 5,300 people. The town is small, friendly, rustic and full of historic treasures, folklore and unique architecture. The residents are culturally and ethnically diverse and include representatives of the Basque, Portuguese, Hispanic and Oriental cultures as well as European and Scandinavian backgrounds.

Agriculture is the main economic base and the area has suffered in some farm economic setbacks. The area is largely farm ground, surrounded by ancient lava flows and is irrigated through an ingenious system of man-made irrigation canals. Magic Reservoir, north of the city, was constructed between 1909-1911 and has been proclaimed as one of the "dam-building marvels of the world". The area is also a major livestock producing area with several dairies and a cheese processing plant located at Richfield, 16 miles northeast of Shoshone. The National Woolgrowers Association was started in Shoshone by Idaho sheepman, Governor and U.S. Senator Frank R. Gooding. Gooding has the distinction of being the only sheepman ever to be elected to the Cowboy Hall of Fame for his contributions to the livestock industry.

The town features many unique lava rock structures, homes, businesses, churches and even circular water cisterns made from square lava blocks. The county courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was built in 1904. A visitor can see the large mansions of the sheep barons and railroad officials as well as the modest homes of Basque sheepherders, railworkers, farmers and small businessmen.
Major employers in Shoshone include the Bureau of Land Management which maintains a central district and fire control office, Idaho Transportation Department that houses the District Administration Office and Operations Yard. Other Large employers include 4-Bros Dairy, Big Wood Canal Company, Glanbia Nutritionals, Rocky Mountain Hardware and Valley Country Store.