Sacajawea was born in this valley in about 1788. When she was about 12 years old, she was captured by marauding Indians of the Blackfeet Nation and taken away from her homeland. She lived with the Hidatsas, in what is now Montana, until she was "won" by Toissant Charbonneau in a game of chance. She then became Charbonneau`s "wife" and was living with him in the Mandan village when Lewis and Clark met her. 

When the Expedition reached Lemhi Valley, Sacajawea was reunited with her brother, Chief Cameawait, and other family members. She was instrumental in negotiations with the Lemhi Shoshoni for food and horses in order to continue the exploration. 

Looking west from Lemhi Pass. Captain Lewis's first look at the Columbia River drainage and the Lemhi Valley of Idaho, near the present city of Salmon. 

During their 23 days in Lemhi County, the explorers determined that they could not descend the Salmon River safely in dugout canoes, so they purchased horses and procured a guide, in order to continue their journey by land. The Expedition traveled north through the County to Lost Trail Pass where they entered the present state of Montana. Their Indian guide, old Toby, missed the proper trail and led the expedition over was is now "Lost Trail" and "Lost Trail Pass."

Sacajawea again left her homeland and proceeded on with The Expedition to the Pacific Ocean.

Salmon started out as a mining "boom" town in 1866. The discovery of gold at Leesburg, 16 miles west of here, gave Salmon its start as a point where men and supplies were ferried across the Salmon River, in order to get to the gold fields of Leesburg.

Entrepreneurs soon brought in beef and milk cows, knowing that beef, milk, and butter could be exchanged for the miner's gold. Salmon's agricultural economy was born!

Two bridges were built across the Salmon River during the summer of 1867, and, with these points established, permanent buildings began to appear. Colonel George L. Shoup, a prominent businessman, was instrumental in laying out the town site, with a main street and two cross streets! A variety of businesses sprung up, including a brewery. A school was also established during this first year of Salmon's existence.

1867 and 1868 were the two greatest years of gold production at Leesburg. After that, many of the miners returned to Salmon and the surrounding valleys, took up land, and began ranching. The City of Salmon continued its growth and development. Permanent businesses sprang up along the main street, and a "Chinatown" of approximately 100 Chinese miners and businessmen developed.

Lemhi County was organized on January 9, 1869, in order to bring civil government to the community. Salmon became the center of activity for many mining communities in the area, the agricultural interests, and a budding timber industry. The 1870 census indicated that Salmon had 86 dwellings, 69 families, and a total population of 224!

Salmon grew steadily as a center for all activity in this part of Idaho Territory. The first brick building, a Methodist church, appeared about 1885, made of locally produced brick. Several more permanent brick buildings immediately followed.

Lumber production was an important part of the local economy at this time. One sawmill, built up Jesse Creek, west of town, utilized it's initial production of lumber to build a flume down the creek with which to transport finished lumber and firewood to the city.

Salmon was 24 years "old" when Idaho became a state on July 3, 1890. It has the distinction of being one of the oldest cities in Idaho. Colonel George L. Shoup, who laid out the City of Salmon, also had the distinction of being Idaho's last Territorial governor, and its first State governor.

As the mining boom passed, lumber production took over as a major portion of Salmon's economy. Several sawmills flourished over the years in the valley. In 1907, the U. S. Forest Service began managing our local forest lands, and that management eventually led to the demise of the timbering industry in Salmon.

In May of 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC`s, came to Lemhi County. Hundreds of young men worked at many projects to improve our area. Most of the projects can still be seen today, and are enjoyed as part of the heritage of local residents.

Salmon had a railroad for several years. The Gilmore and Pittsburgh RR was completed in April of 1910, and it operated for some thirty years before being dismantled. Highway 28 now occupies the old roadbed.

Today, with a population of 3400, Salmon is a busy community engaged in agriculture and tourism with some manufacturing. The Lemhi Valley, birthplace of Sacajawea, is the perfect mountain setting for one of the last frontier towns of the West.