IDAHO STATE -When digging into the roots of the Gem State, the historical timeline begins in the small, quiet town of Franklin. Founded on April 14, 1860, it is the oldest permanent European settlement in Idaho. Interestingly, the pioneers who built it didn't even know they were in Idaho at the time—they thought they were still in Utah.
The Founding: April 14, 1860
Franklin's origins are directly tied to the expansion of Mormon pioneers moving north from the Salt Lake Valley.
- The Pioneer Party: A group of 13 families, led by Thomas S. Smart, was sent by Brigham Young to settle the Cache Valley. They arrived in the spring of 1860 and immediately began constructing cabins and planting crops.
- A Border Confusion: Because the exact boundary line between the Utah Territory and the Washington Territory (which then included Idaho) had not yet been surveyed, the settlers believed they were establishing a town in Utah. It wasn't until a 1872 survey that they learned they were just north of the border, making Franklin the first town in what would become Idaho.
Indigenous Roots
Long before the Mormon pioneers arrived with their plows, the Cache Valley was a vital resource for the Shoshone people. The valley was known for its lush grasses and abundant water, making it a prime hunting ground for buffalo and small game. It also served as a wintering ground for the Northwest Shoshone bands. The arrival of permanent settlers in 1860 drastically altered the land use and led to significant conflicts, culminating in the tragic Bear River Massacre nearby in 1863.
A Technical Distinction: Settlement vs. Incorporation
While Franklin is undisputedly the oldest settlement, it was not the first city to be legally incorporated or to serve as a political hub. That distinction belongs to Lewiston.
Located at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, Lewiston was founded in 1861, driven by the frantic energy of the gold rush. Because of its rapid growth and economic importance as a port, Lewiston was designated as the first capital of the Idaho Territory in 1863 and was officially incorporated that same year. Franklin, which remained a quiet agricultural village, did not incorporate until much later.
Franklin is the oldest city in Idaho, settled by Mormon pioneers on April 14, 1860. It represents the first permanent agricultural community in the state, though its founders initially believed they were in Utah. The Shoshone people had utilized the Cache Valley for centuries prior to this expansion. While Franklin holds the settlement title, Lewiston (founded in 1861) holds the distinction of being the first capital and the first legally incorporated city in Idaho's history.
Sources
- Idaho State Historical Society. "Idaho History Timeline."
- City of Franklin. "History of Franklin, Idaho."
- Britannica. "Idaho: History."
- City of Lewiston. "City History."
- Intermountain Histories. "The Settlement of Franklin, Idaho."