SHOSHONE COUNTY, ID HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Shoshone County, Idaho: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the heart of the Idaho Panhandle, Shoshone County is a rugged and historically rich region defined by the Bitterroot Mountains and the vast mineral wealth of the Coeur d’Alene Mining District, also known as the Silver Valley. Its history is a compelling story of Native American life, massive silver and lead mining operations, violent labor conflicts, and resilient boom-and-bust communities.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Shoshone County’s origin as a massive territory and its role as a “mother county” to many others is essential for locating the correct records for ancestors who lived in the Panhandle.

  • 1864: County Formed: Shoshone County was officially organized by the first Idaho Territorial Legislature on February 4, 1864. It was one of the original counties of the Idaho Territory.
  • Parent County: The county was first created by the Washington Territorial Legislature in 1861 from a portion of Spokane County. When the Idaho Territory was formed in 1863, the existing Shoshone County fell within its boundaries. Therefore, the earliest records for the area may be found in Washington Territory records.
  • Subsequent County Formations: Originally encompassing most of the Idaho Panhandle, Shoshone County was partitioned multiple times. Kootenai County was created from it in 1864. Latah County was formed from its southern part (and a part of Nez Perce County) in 1888. Clearwater County was created from its southeastern part in 1911. Benewah County was formed from its western part (and a part of Kootenai County) in 1915.
  • Name Origin: The county is named for the Shoshone Native American tribe, whose traditional lands were primarily in southern Idaho.
  • County Seat History: The first county seat was Pierce (now in Clearwater County). It was moved to Murray in 1884 following a mining boom there, and finally established in Wallace in 1893, where it remains today.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The ancestral lands of this region belong to the Schitsu’umsh, or the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Their lives were intrinsically linked to the rivers, lakes, and mountains of the area long before European arrival.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: Settlement was driven almost exclusively by mining. A gold rush to Pierce in 1860 initiated the first wave of prospectors. The discovery of one of the world’s richest silver and lead deposits in the 1880s created the Coeur d’Alene Mining District (the Silver Valley) and led to a massive influx of settlers. Mining camps grew into the towns of Wallace, Kellogg, Mullan, and Wardner. The economy was dominated by mining, which also led to some of the nation’s most violent labor wars in the 1890s between miners and mine owners.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Shoshone County.

  • Courthouse: Shoshone County Courthouse is located at 700 Bank Street, Wallace, ID 83873. The Clerk of the District Court holds probate (wills), court cases, and marriage records. The County Recorder, in the same building, holds all land records (deeds) from the county’s formation.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Idaho began on July 1, 1911. Records from that date forward are held by the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. For births and deaths prior to 1911, researchers should check with the Shoshone County Recorder, though these records are often incomplete. Church records, obituaries, and cemetery records are critical substitutes.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1864 to the present are held by the Shoshone County Recorder.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Wallace District Mining Museum: Located in Wallace, this museum is an essential resource for understanding the area’s history and the people who lived there.
    • Staff House Museum: Located in Kellogg, it focuses on the history of the Bunker Hill Mine and the community.
    • The public libraries in Wallace, Kellogg, Osburn, and Pinehurst all have local history materials. For broader research, the Idaho State Archives in Boise is the main repository for the state.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Bonner County, ID
    • Kootenai County, ID
    • Benewah County, ID
    • Latah County, ID
    • Clearwater County, ID
    • Mineral County, MT
    • Sanders County, MT

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks