Bingham County

	More about Bingham County
County Statistics
Interesting Facts
What To See and Do

Bingham County, the 14th county created in Idaho, was established on January 13, 1885, with its county seat at Blackfoot, from the east and north parts of Oneida County. At that time, Bingham County included what became Bannock, Bonneville, Teton, Jefferson, Madison, Clark, Butte, Power and part of Alturas County, which later became Blaine County. Fremont County was carved out of Bingham in 1893, Bonneville in 1911, Power in 1913, and Butte in 1917.

 

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County statistics:

County Seat: Blackfoot
Population: 43,205
Bingham County website

Borders:  Bannock, Blaine, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Jefferson and Power counties

Interesting Facts:

Blackfoot, the county seat, calls itself "The Potato Capital of the World." The area around Blackfoot is considered prime ground for growing potatoes.

There is conflicting information regarding how Bingham County was named. The first explanation is that it was named by Territorial Governor William M. Bunn for his friend Henry Harrison Bingham, a Pennsylvania Congressman who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1879 to 1912. The second explanation is that the name was determined by the winner of a race between two citizens of Blackfoot and Eagle Rock (now Idaho Falls). The contender to reach Boise first in the race would have the honor of selecting the county seat and have the county named for him. The winner was Blackfoot's Elisha E. Bingham, a native of Riverside, Utah, who homestead in Blackfoot in 1883. According to the Bingham County website, "Mrs. Ada Katseanes, a daughter of Elisha Bingham, recalls hearing her parents talk of the race having been made with a team of horses.

What To See And Do :

Bingham County Historical Museum: This museum, open seasonally from May through October, is housed in a restored Southern mansion featuring area historical relics, historical photographs and other artifacts unique to Bingham County.

The Idaho Potato Expo Center, in Blackfoot Idaho, part of Bingham County can be found in the old Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot. Built in 1912, the depot was once the center of a flurry of activities. Now the home of the Expo, the depot reminds people of the significant link between the railroad and the potato industry. It was potatoes carried from Utah to Judge Stephens on a freighter that led to the first planting in Blackfoot. More and more potatoes were planted and the Blackfoot area and Southeast Idaho in general has since become the largest potato-producing region in Idaho. You can learn about the history of spuds and view the world's largest Styrofoam potato as well as the world's largest potato chip.

Those visiting this unique museum will discover the world of Idaho's Famous Potatoes®. The expo showcases the history of the potato and its journey through the revolutions of the potato industry. From the original potato planted in Idaho, to the largest potato chip made by the Pringle's Company. Visitors of all ages will be intrigued. The Potato Expo also provides information on the growing and harvesting process, nutrition, trivia and other educational facts.