Lincoln County
More About Lincoln County |
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Lincoln County was established on March 18, 1895, with its county seat at Shoshone. It was the 21st county formed, one of only two created in 1895. Lincoln was much larger originally. In 1913, Gooding and Minidoka took about half the original Lincoln County. After the creation of Jerome County in 1919, Lincoln was left with only 1,206 square miles. It was named for President Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States, under whose administration the Idaho Territory was established.
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County statistics:
County Seat: Shoshone
Population: 4,645 (2009 estimate)
Borders: Blaine, Camas, Gooding, Jerome and Minidoka counties
Interesting Facts:
Lincoln is one of the most popular county names in the country, with 19 counties throughout the US named after the 16th President.
What To See And Do:
The Lincoln County Courthouse is located in the Shoshone, the county seat since 1895. The Courthouse was completed in 1904. It has been the site of several landmark cases concerning consumptive water use for irrigation and non-consumptive water use for hydro-electric power generation. The Courthouse was built of brick, sandstone and lava rock. The courthouse isn't the only structure made of lava. Many churches, homes, and even circular water systems have been made using this material. After viewing the courthouse a visitor may want to take time to see the large mansions of the sheep barons and railroad officials as well as the modest homes of Basque sheepherders and farmers.
Shoshone Ice Caves are open seasonally from May to September. They are located on Highway 75, about 17 miles north of Shoshone. The Shoshone Ice Caves are lava tubes with a collapsed roof serving as an entrance. The cold air that flows into the cave during the winter freezes all the water that enters the cave, and that produces a continuous layer of ice. There are various sculptures and attractions outside the cave entrance. It is also mentioned in a number of legends about the area.
Idaho's Mammoth Cave is open during the summer months and is located eight miles north of Shoshone, near the Shoshone Bird Museum of Natural History. The cave has a long history, beginning with a volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. At the turn of the 20th century, early settlers discovered the cave opening. A walking tour is available with propane lanterns provided.
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. It was one of the first areas in the National Park System to be designated as a federal wilderness area. The oddly-scenic landscape was once considered as a location for a movie needing a "moonscape." A 7-mile loop road runs through the area; it is driveable by automobile in the summer, and becomes a winter snow trail during that season. An on-site Visitor Center can assist with information and exhibits.
(Sources include The Idaho Blue Book.)