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This is a life, a name, the ages will revere, He
seeks a country new, afar, the pioneer. On March 3, 1863, Idaho
Territory was organized out of parts of Washington, Nebraska and
Dakota Territories, with Lewiston the capital. The new Territory
contained four counties which had been created in the following
order, while forming a part of Washington Territory, namely,
Shoshone, Nez Perce, Idaho and Boise, ten mining towns and 20,000
people.
The first session of the Territorial
legislature met at Lewiston on December 7, 1863. During that session
three counties were created in the following order, to-wit : Owyhee,
Oneida and Alturas. This made seven counties in the new Territory.
Alturas County was created on February 4, 1864, with Esmeralda the
county seat. The latter was situated near the present site of
Featherville, on the South Boise River, about six miles in an air
line from Rocky Bar, but its exact location is unknown. The county
seat soon there after was removed to Rocky Bar, and thereby hangs a
tale.
Alturas County at this time included all lands north of Snake River
from the mouth of Bruneau to Little Lost River and as far north as
the Sawtooth Mountains. Bancroft in his history of Washington, Idaho
and Montana says Alturas is a Spanish word meaning "Mountainous
Heights." It was said by the Indians who inhabited that part of the
country to mean "Heavenly Heights."
Alturas County Biographies
Alturas County Source:
Based on History of Alturas and Blaine Counties, Idaho |
