Histories

History of Teton County
Timeline of Teton County

History of Teton County

Situated on the eastern border of the state, the northeast corner being only about ten miles from the Yellowstone National Park, is Teton County, one of the new counties of Idaho. It was taken from Madison County by the act of January 26, 1915, with the following boundaries: “Beginning at a point on the boundary line between Madison and Bonneville counties two miles east of the range line between ranges 42 and 43 east; thence easterly and southerly on the boundary line between Madison and Bonneville counties, as now established, to a point where said boundary line intersects the boundary line dividing the states of Idaho and Wyoming; thence north along the boundary line between the states of Idaho and Wyoming to a point where said dividing line intersects Birch Creek; thence westerly and down the center of said creek to where it intersects and runs into the main channel of the Teton River; thence down the said main channel of the said Teton River to where the same intersects the section line
between sections 16 and 17, township 7 north, range 43 east; thence due south along said line to the place of beginning.”

The county was named for the Three Tetons, prominent peaks forming part of the main range of the Rocky Mountains. It was attached to the Ninth Judicial District and the governor was authorized to appoint officers within thirty days after the taking effect of the act, which located the temporary county seat at Driggs, a permanent county seat to be selected by the voters at the general election of 1916. Pursuant to the provisions of the act the governor appointed the following officers: E. B. Edlefsen, M. E. Phillips and Benjamin Jones, commissioners; W. F. Robertson, clerk of the District Court; S. R. Evans, sheriff; H. D. Fullmer, assessor; Charles Cherrington, treasurer; B. W. Driggs, prosecuting attorney; Samuel Swanner, probate judge; Ezra C. Dalby, superintendent of public instruction; Samuel Kunz, coroner.

These officers assumed their duties at various times between March 4, 1915, and the first of July following and served until the general election of 1916, when Driggs was made the permanent county seat. Teton County is bounded on the north by Fremont County; on the east by the State of Wyoming; on the south by Bonneville County and on the west by the County of Madison. It is one of the smallest and highest counties in the state, its average elevation being 5,500 feet above sea level. It comprises the Teton Valley and the tributary country along the Wyoming line. A large part of the county lies in the Palisade National Forest, where grazing is the leading occupation. Timothy, alsike clover and field peas are the principal farm crops and dairying is becoming an important industry. The rainfall ranges from twenty to twenty-four inches annually and farming is carried on without the aid of irrigation. There is fine hunting in the mountains and fishing in the streams, and this fact, with the cool summers, brings many sportsmen and tourists every year.

Driggs is the most important town. Victor, in the southern part, is the terminus of the Teton Valley branch of the Oregon Short Line railway system. Judkins and Tetonia are small villages on the line of railroad, and Bates, Hunnidale and Palisade are the largest in the interior. The population in 1910 was included in that of Fremont County, which was 24,606, and in 1918 the assessed valuation of property was $2,884,727.

Contributed 2024 Oct 13 by Norma Hass, transcribed from History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains by James H. Hawley, published in 1920 by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Volume 1, Pages 678-681

Timeline for Derivation of Teton County

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.