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Idaho State...
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Idaho Counties
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Idaho Counties
There are 44 counties in Idaho.
Counties are the largest political divisions within the state.
When Idaho became a territory in March, 1863, there were four counties in existence: Boise, Idaho, Nez Perce and
Shoshone. By the time Idaho became a state 27 years later, there were 15 counties. The rest of the 44 counties
came into existence during the 30 years after Idaho became a state. Two of the former counties disappeared
during this time. Alturas, which was created in 1864, was later divided into the many counties now found in
central Idaho. Logan County was only in existence for six years, from 1889 to 1895. It was combined with Alturas
to form Blaine County and Lincoln County, which was formed just two weeks after Logan lost its identity. |
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Owyhee County, Idaho
Owyhee County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education
County Seat: Murphy
Year Organized: 1863
Square Miles: 7,678
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Court House: 20381 State Hwy 78
County Courthouse
Murphy, ID 83650-0000
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Etymology - Origin of County Name
Owyhee County is named for the Kingdom of Hawaii. Hawaiian fur trappers had explored (and had been
mysteriously killed in) the area around 1820.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick
Facts
History
Established December 31, 1863 with its county seat at Ruby City. This was the first county to be established by the
first territorial legislature. In 1867 the county seat was moved to Silver City and in 1934 to Murphy. Named for the
river, mountains and mining area explored by Hawaiian fur trappers in 1819-1820. Hawaii and Owyhee are different
spellings of the same word. Gold was discovered on Jordan Creek in 1863, and millions of dollars of gold and silver were
taken from Silver City region until the industry declined in the early 1900s.
Neighboring Counties:
- North: Ada County
- Northeast: Elmore County
- East: Twin Falls County
- Southeast: Elko County, Nev.
- Southwest: Humboldt County, Nev.
- Northwest: Malheur County, Ore.; Canyon County
Cities and Towns:
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- Grand View |
city |
Incorporated Area |
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- Homedale |
city |
Incorporated Area |
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- Marsing |
city |
Incorporated Area |
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- Murphy
(County Seat) |
County Resources:
Enter County Resources and Information Here
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County Resource Guide
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The history of our nation can be seen as a prolonged struggle to define the relative roles and powers of our governments: federal, state, and local. And the names we've given our counties, our most locally based jurisdictions, reflects the "characteristic
features of our country!"
But age, size and colorful names of our counties isn't the only reason to explore counties' role in American history, or the history of county government itself. In fact, the story of county government reflects the larger meanings of American history.
Today's counties are the most flexible, locally responsive and creative governments in the US. They are the most diverse, varying in size, population, geography, and governmental structure. In their politics and policies, they express a 1990's political slogan "Think globally,
act locally." |
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