Lewiston, Idaho, started with wild beginnings and stayed that way for generations. Officially founded in 1861, its origins are born from a gold rush. When gold was discovered up the river in a neighboring town called Pierce, it brought hopeful miners from near and far panning up and down the river. From that population sprang a tent city that would become Lewiston, along with the stories that informed of Lewiston's early history and growth, full of gambling, drinking, wild women, and the occasional murder. This volume covers Lewiston's history, beginning with its official founding in 1861 and expanding the history through the early 1970s, while focusing on the town's heyday in the 1950s.
Clarkston, Washington, and Lewiston, Idaho, are twin cities that meet at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in southeast Washington. Gold was discovered upstream in the Clearwater drainage in 1860. A few settlers crossed the Snake River to an area called Jawbone Flats. It was flat and covered with sagebrush. Thirty years later, investors from back East arrived with big plans. C. Van Arsdol designed the first irrigation system, and Charles Francis Adams was a big influence in bringing irrigation and education to Clarkston. By 1899, Clarkston became prosperous with their award winning fruit orchards. In 1896, Edgar H. Libby received the franchise to build a bridge to connect with Lewiston, Idaho. The name finally became Clarkston in 1902, when the town was incorporated. In the 1970s, slack water brought big changes to the area called the "Banana Belt." With the dikes and the smooth waters, the valley became an ideal place for boating, fishing, and tourism.
Clarkston, Washington, and Lewiston, Idaho, are twin cities that meet at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in southeast Washington. Gold was discovered upstream in the Clearwater drainage in 1860. A few settlers crossed the Snake River to an area called Jawbone Flats. It was flat and covered with sagebrush. Thirty years later, investors from back East arrived with big plans. C. Van Arsdol designed the first irrigation system, and Charles Francis Adams was a big influence in bringing irrigation and education to Clarkston. By 1899, Clarkston became prosperous with their award winning fruit orchards. In 1896, Edgar H. Libby received the franchise to build a bridge to connect with Lewiston, Idaho. The name finally became Clarkston in 1902, when the town was incorporated. In the 1970s, slack water brought big changes to the area called the "Banana Belt." With the dikes and the smooth waters, the valley became an ideal place for boating, fishing, and tourism.
Lewiston, Idaho, started with wild beginnings and stayed that way for generations. Officially founded in 1861, its origins are born from a gold rush. When gold was discovered up the river in a neighboring town called Pierce, it brought hopeful miners from near and far panning up and down the river. From that population sprang a tent city that would become Lewiston, along with the stories that informed of Lewiston's early history and growth, full of gambling, drinking, wild women, and the occasional murder. This volume covers Lewiston's history, beginning with its official founding in 1861 and expanding the history through the early 1970s, while focusing on the town's heyday in the 1950s.
Asotin, Anatone, Cloverland, Clarkston, and Silcott are all towns within Asotin County, an area rich in local history. Names like Lewis and Clark, Chief Joseph, Capt. Benjamin Bonneville, Capt. Edward Steptoe, Chief Looking Class, Chief Timothy, and Henry Spaulding all had early ties to the area. Asotin was carved out of Garfield County on October 27, 1883. There are fascinating stories of early pioneers, such as Weissenfels, Floch, Wilson, Stone, Critchfield, Halsey, and many more, who came from far and wide to settle the area, becoming farmers, building towns, and establishing an irrigation system. Through the years, Asotin has encountered floods, murders, hangings, a disastrous fire, and a fight to retain the county seat. At one point, the residents thought they might have to battle the Nez Perce Indians, but they were peaceful and very kind to the people.
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