Idaho Falls history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Idaho Falls dates back to the mid-1860s, during the era of the active settlement of the West. Initially, the settlement was known as Eagle Rock. This name originated from a small island on the Snake River, where eagles nested on the basalt rocks.

The actual founding of the city can be considered the construction of a wooden toll bridge across the Snake River in 1864 by entrepreneur Matt Taylor. The bridge replaced an unreliable ferry crossing and became a critical link for prospectors and wagon trains heading towards the gold mines of Montana.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a roadside station into a fully-fledged city was driven by a combination of geographical and infrastructural advantages:

• Strategic Geography: Its location at a narrow point of the Snake River canyon made the city a natural gateway for travellers and traders.
• Railway Boom: A decisive moment was the arrival of the Utah and Northern Railway in 1879. Eagle Rock turned into a major railway hub with repair workshops, leading to a sharp increase in population.
• Water Resources: Proximity to a powerful river provided opportunities for the development of irrigation and, later, hydropower.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In 1891, residents voted to change the city's name to Idaho Falls. This was a marketing move by land developers intended to attract new settlers and investors by mentioning the picturesque rapids (falls) on the river.

The economy of the early period quickly reoriented from servicing transit cargo to agriculture. Thanks to the creation of one of the most extensive irrigation systems in the country, the arid steppe around the city was transformed into fertile land. This laid the foundation for the region's development as a major centre for growing potatoes and grain crops.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1864 — Matt Taylor builds a wooden toll bridge across the Snake River, around which the settlement of Eagle Rock begins to form.
• 1879 — The arrival of the Utah and Northern Railway turns the settlement into a key transport hub for supplying the region.
• 1891 — Residents vote to rename the city from Eagle Rock to Idaho Falls to highlight the presence of picturesque rapids on the river.
• 1903 — The opening of a large sugar beet processing factory gives a powerful impulse to the development of agriculture and the economy.
• 1911 — Construction of the first municipal hydroelectric power station is completed, providing the city with an independent energy source.
• 1927 — The historic Hotel Bonneville is erected, becoming the centre of the city's social life and an architectural landmark for many years.
• 1949 — The National Reactor Testing Station is founded west of the city, turning Idaho Falls into a centre for atomic research.
• 1951 — At a testing ground near the city, the EBR-I reactor generates electricity using nuclear energy for the first time in human history.
• 1976 — The collapse of the Teton Dam causes flooding in the region, after which the city plays a key role in relief operations and recovery.
• 1990s — Active landscaping of the Snake River embankment and development of the Greenbelt park system for the recreation of residents and tourists.
• 2002 — A new modern building for the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho opens on the riverbank, becoming an important cultural centre.
• 2017 — Opening of the reconstructed Broadway Bridge, improving transport infrastructure and pedestrian accessibility to the centre.

Key Stages of City Transformation

The development of Idaho Falls was not linear; the city underwent several cardinal changes, each of which shaped its modern appearance and economy. Here are the main milestones that defined the fate of the region:

• Railway Industrialisation (1879). The arrival of the Utah and Northern Railway turned the trading post at the crossing into a full-fledged logistics centre. The construction of repair workshops and depots attracted workers and business, making the city the main distribution hub of Eastern Idaho.
• Agro-industrial Boom (early 20th century). The opening of a sugar beet processing plant in 1903 marked the transition from simple farming to industrial agriculture. This attracted investment and cemented the city's status as the agricultural capital of the region.
• Energy Autonomy (1910s). The construction of municipal hydroelectric power stations on the Snake River provided the city with cheap electricity. This became a unique competitive advantage, allowing the development of local production and maintaining low tariffs for residents for a century.
• Scientific and Technological Breakthrough (from 1949). The creation of the National Reactor Testing Station (now INL) west of the city radically changed demographics and the economy. Idaho Falls filled with engineers and scientists, transforming from an agrarian centre into a city of high technology and nuclear energy.
• Infrastructural Renaissance (post-1976). The liquidation of the consequences of the Teton Dam failure, although caused by tragedy, led to a large-scale modernisation of urban infrastructure and the rallying of the local community, which gave impetus to the renewal of housing stock and communications.
• "Greenbelt" Urban Project (1980–90s). The decision to turn the banks of the Snake River from industrial zones into a unified park system (the "Greenbelt") completely changed the look of the centre. This created a recreational framework for the city, becoming the main point of attraction for tourists and locals.
• Cultural Expansion (2000s). The expansion of the Museum of Idaho and the opening of new cultural venues allowed the city to become an educational hub, attracting large exhibitions and promoting educational tourism.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The urban development of Idaho Falls is inextricably linked with the Snake River. The city was formed not as a chaotic cluster of houses, but as an organised structure where the river initially served as a source of energy and a transport artery, and later became a central aesthetic element. The city's architecture reflects its journey from a frontier settlement to a centre of nuclear energy.

Historic Centre (Late 19th — Early 20th Century)

The heart of the city, its historic downtown, was formed during the railway boom and the development of agriculture. The American Commercial style and Brick Eclecticism prevail here. Buildings of this era are characterised by functionality, the use of red brick, and decorative cornices.

• Broadway Street and Park Avenue: Two- and three-storey buildings have been preserved here, which previously housed banks, hotels, and trading shops. Today they are adapted for modern shops and restaurants, preserving the spirit of the Old West.
• Influence of Neoclassicism: In administrative and banking buildings of the early 20th century, a striving for monumentality can be traced, expressed in strict lines and the use of stone.

Architectural Dominants and Styles

In Idaho Falls, one can encounter several striking examples where the architectural style clearly correlates with a historical period of the city's prosperity:

• Italian Renaissance (1920s): The brightest representative is the Hotel Bonneville, built in 1927. This building symbolised the economic success of the city. It is distinguished by elegant proportions, arched windows, and decorative elements referring to European traditions.
• Art Deco and Early Modernism (1930–1940s): The Civic Auditorium building demonstrates a transition to more modern forms with geometric patterns and simplified decor, characteristic of public buildings of the "New Deal" era.
• International Style and Expressionism (1940–1950s): The Mormon Temple (Idaho Falls Idaho Temple), dedicated in 1945, became the first sign of modernism in the region. The snow-white building with a spire reaching upwards and strict vertical lines is reminiscent of the Art Deco style but already leans towards the purity of forms of the mid-century. It remains the main high-rise dominant feature on the riverbank.

Modern Urban Planning and Landscape Design

In the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, the vector of development shifted from the erection of individual monuments to the creation of a comfortable urban environment. A key project became the Greenbelt — a large-scale example of landscape urbanism.

Instead of industrial development, the riverbanks were turned into an extensive park zone. The modern architecture of the city, represented by the buildings of the Museum of Idaho and the ARTitorium cultural centre, harmoniously fits into this landscape, combining modern materials (glass, metal) with historical context.

Historical Figures

• Matt Taylor — City Founder, Entrepreneur.
  A key figure in the history of the region. In 1864, Taylor built the first wooden toll bridge across the Snake River. It was around this crossing that the settlement of Eagle Rock arose, which subsequently grew into modern Idaho Falls. His initiative turned the location into an important transport hub for gold seekers and traders.

Politics and Business

• Mike Crapo — Politician, US Senator.
  A native of Idaho Falls who became one of the most influential politicians in the state. He has served in the US Senate since 1999. His career began in his hometown, where he worked as a lawyer before moving to the federal level.
• Frank VanderSloot — Entrepreneur, Billionaire.
  Founder and CEO of Melaleuca, headquartered in Idaho Falls. VanderSloot is a key employer in the region and is known for his significant contribution to the economic development of the city, turning it into a centre for direct sales and health product manufacturing.
• Greg Carr — Tech Entrepreneur and Philanthropist.
  Born in Idaho Falls. He made his fortune in telecommunications (voice mail), after which he devoted himself to charity. He is known for a large-scale project to restore Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, as well as supporting educational initiatives in his native Idaho.

Culture and Sport

• Wilson Rawls — Writer.
  Author of the classic American novel Where the Red Fern Grows. Rawls lived and worked in Idaho Falls during the period of creating his famous book. An interesting fact: he burned the first manuscript of the novel but later restored the text from memory in this very city.
• Yo Murphy — Professional Athlete.
  An American football player born in Idaho Falls. He played as a wide receiver in the NFL, including playing in Super Bowl XXXVI with the St. Louis Rams. His success serves as an example for local young athletes.