Pre-Ride & Start / Finish Host Community: August 9 Idaho Falls, Idaho
Population: 50,730Elevation: 4700 feet
Idaho Falls is the second largest metro area in the state behind Boise/Nampa and is the largest city in the Eastern Idaho region. The city is served by the Idaho Falls Regional Airport and is home to the Idaho Falls Chukars minor league baseball team. Its sister city is the town of Tokai-Mura, Japan.
Although settlers by the thousands passed through Idaho on the Oregon Trail, it was not until the discovery of gold in 1860 that Idaho attracted settlers in any numbers. The ensuing gold rush brought a need for goods and services, and towns sprang up to serve as trade centers for the gold fields.
In 1864, Harry Rickets established a ferry to cross the Snake River nine miles north of the present city of Idaho Falls. Late in that same year and in the following year, J.M. (Matt) Taylor, a freighter, recognized the need for a bridge across the turbulent river, so he constructed a log toll bridge. The community was originally know as Taylor's Bridge, then changed to Eagle Rock.
The name was derived from an actual rock 7 miles upstream. Those who traveled along the river to access the ferry discovered an isolated basalt island in the Snake River that was the nesting site for approx. 20 eagles. A small community, Payne, was built near this location on the railroad track. Today this area is called Osgood. In 1972, a Boy Scout from Idaho Falls constructed a small monument on the west shore of the river, within sight of Eagle Rock. Today, no eagles nest on this rock. Today, the location is visited mostly by fishermen.
Later, the town voted to re-name itself Idaho Falls, after the rapids that existed below the bridge in what was then called Black Canyon. The name was changed to Idaho Falls on August 26, 1891.
As the veins of gold played out, miners and transients abandoned the area. Those who remained, including the early Mormon pioneers, turned to farming and irrigated the arid land. Water turned the desert into rich agricultural land, which now yields most of the state's potatoes, grain, and other crops.
Situated along the Snake River at the western edge of the world famous Rocky Mountains, Idaho Falls has all the features of big city living, but still embraces a small town charm. The skyline consists of the majestic Teton Mountain Range, and in its backyard is the world's most famous park - Yellowstone.
Offering its own symphony, opera, chamber orchestra, community drama, performing arts groups, museums, zoos, and of course professional minor league baseball, it's hard to imagine finding nothing to do.
As the regional epi-center for healthcare, shopping, and entertainment, Idaho Falls is rapidly attracting small and large businesses alike and consistently finds itself listed in the top ten rankings of many prestigious magazines, newspapers and professional community research publications
Web Sites:
Chamber of Commerce: http://www.idahofallschamber.com/
Idaho Falls: http://www.ci.idaho-falls.id.us/main/Index.asp
Lodging:
Ride Idaho Camping for Saturday, August 9 (NO CAMPING arranged Saturday, August 16)
Russ Freeman Park
Baseball Rd.
Ameritel Inn (2.5 mi from campsite & 2.5 mi. from airport)
645 Lindsay Blvd.
(208) 523-1400
Holiday Inn Express (6.3 mi from campsite & 0.8 mi from airport)
2270 Channing Way
(866) 270-5110
Best Western Cotton Tree Inn (2.0 mi from campsite & 2.1 mi from airport)
900 Lindsay Blvd.
(208) 523-6000
Comfort Inn (2.5 mi from campsite & 1.8 mi from airport)
195 S. Colorado Blvd.
(208) 528-2804
Shilo Inn Suites Hotel (2.2 mi from campsite & 2.3 mi from airport)
780 Lindsay Blvd.
(208) 523-0088
Hilton Garden Inn (2.4 mi from campsite & 2.5 mi from airport)
700 Lindsay Blvd.
(208) 522-9500
Le Ritz Hotel & Suites (2.4 mi from campsite & 2.4 mi from airport)
720 Lindsay Blvd.
(208) 528-0880
Best Western Driftwood Inn (2.3 mi from campsite & 2.4 mi from airport)
575 River Parkway
(208) 523-2242
Red Lion on the Falls (2.3 mi from campsite & 2.5 mi from airport)
475 River Parkway
(208) 529-9610
