01
THE PROJECT
We found cabins from one end of the valley to the other, and we discovered a few of their stories.
The idea for this series came as a result of living in in a relatively rural, undeveloped area. Unlike some metro and resort areas, our part of Idaho hasn't been subject to rapid development and large-scale construction projects. Consequently, many old cabins, school houses, corrals, and other structures are still standing, some of them well over 100 years old.
Many travelers in Idaho's Big Lost River Valley pass by these small settler cabins without noticing them. Recognizing these local treasures, we built a library of photographs and discovered many interesting and colorful stories of local history.
Join us on our journey through our stunning images, on-location interpretive talks, and archived, historic media. Learn of the intriguing, colorful history of the Western United States.
03
THE HISTORY
On May 20, 1862, President Lincoln signed the Homestead Act into law.
President Abraham Lincoln ratified the Homestead Act on May 20th, 1862. The Civil War did not end until 1865, so brother was still killing brother. The Homestead Act gave the U.S. citizens and prospective citizens up to 160 acres of government lands provided they live on their allotment, improve it, and pay a nominal registration fee.
More than 160 million acres of public land, or nearly 10 percent of the total area of the United States, went to creating their independence and freedom. What they built and earned was theirs and could be passed on to their children.
02
THE CABINS
As we hunted these little structures, we started to build a fascinating library of photos.
In this series, you will visit many old structures and learn of their construction techniques, uses, and roles in the early communities of rural Idaho. The locations include:
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Anderson Cabin
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Antelope Dance Hall
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Copper Basin
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Custer Town Site
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Pass Creek
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Pony Express Station
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Mackay, Idaho - Brothel, Jail, and Museum
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Whiskey Springs
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Willow Creek