Although Teton County Idaho
was only formed in 1915, settlement began as early as 1822 and many pioneers
began arriving in the late 1890s. This timeline shows important events that
relate to the settlement of Teton County.
Early – Called Broad Valley by
the many Indian tribes who visited the area for councils and for hunting.
1808 – John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, is believed
to be the first explorer to enter present-day Teton County. He arrived from
Jackson, Wyoming via present day Teton Pass in January 1808.
1812 –
Pierre Trevantiagon explored present Teton County and gave it the name Pierre's
Hole.
1811-12 – Party led by William Price Hunt visited the valley going
both ways on trip to Oregon from whom the original name of Teton Pass (Hunts
Pass) was taken. Journal of the visit was kept by Robert Stuart.
1820s –
Became a popular location with the Mountain Men. Some say that a few permanent
settlers arrived.
1848 – Oregon Territory created, with the long future
Teton County Idaho officially part of Linn County.
1851 – The new Lane
County in Oregon Territory included our future Teton County.
1859 –
Oregon was admitted as a state. Idaho area was transferred to Washington
Territory as Shoshone County.
1860 – Shoshone County was renamed as
Spokane County, still part of Washington Territory.
1861 – A new Shoshone
County was created which included the future Teton County.
1862 – The
area was once again renamed, this time as Idaho County.
1863 – Idaho
Territory was created from Washington Territory.
1863 – Area that now
includes Teton County became part of the original Idaho County, Owyhee 31 Dec
1893. It doesn't appear any county records were kept while our territory was
part of Owyhee.
1864 – Oneida County was formed 22 January 1864 from the
eastern half of Owyee County, including present day Teton.
1885 – Teton's
territory became part of the newly formed Bingham County, 13 Jan 1885.
1888 – Mormon pioneers from Salt Lake City started Driggs, beginning the a
significant increase in settlers.
1889 – Mormon pioneers from Cache
Valley Utah and Idaho started Victor.
1893 – Teton's future territory was
split, with the northern portion going into the new Fremont County 8 Mar 1893
and the southern portion remaining in Bingham County.
1911 – The portion
of Bingham County that would later become part of Teton County was moved to the
new Bonneville County 7 Feb 1911.
1913 – Madison County was created 18
Feb 1913, taking from Fremont County most of what would shortly become Teton
County.
1915 – Teton County was created 26 January 1915, taking portions
from Madison, Fremont, and Bonneville Counties.
