History

The Shoshone-Bannock and Northern Paiute Indian tribes inhabited east central Idaho long before Lewis and Clark made their epic trek across the area in 1805. When the expedition returned from the Pacific Coast, John Colter left the party and journeyed southwest. He discovered Teton Pass and wintered in Teton Valley. Accounts by Lewis and Clark of the richness of the territory attracted trappers and traders to Idaho.

Father DeSmet held the first religious service in the West during 1834 in the Teton Valley near Driggs, or Pierre's Hole as it was known by trappers who gathered there each summer. Although settlers by the thousands passed through on the Oregon Trail, it was not until the discovery of gold in 1860 that the area attracted settlers. The ensuing gold rush brought a need for goods and services, and towns sprang up to serve as trade centers for the gold fields. 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 potatoes, grain, and other crops.

Today, folks describe Teton Valley as "the quiet side of the Tetons." The laid-back approach to life here makes for a very comfortable community. Old original farmsteads located throughout the valley blend with beautiful new homes along the foothills. The population is a diverse mix of pioneer families and recently arrived residents from around the world. Abundant wildlife including moose, deer, elk, and bear, can be found in this mountain valley and help make this a paradise on earth.

A mecca for winter and summer sports, the mountains and rivers attract thousands of visitors each year. Residents can work in the morning and in the afternoon enjoy a few runs at our nearby ski resort, bike the Big Holes, fish the pristine rivers, hike the Alaska Basin Trail or attend a local rodeo.

The valley has a new high school and the area hospital is one of the finest in the region. In addition, the arts community is flourishing and business is booming across the valley. Residents are becoming involved with innovative and lively entrepreneurial and cultural ventures with healthy, collaborative planning for a rich and rewarding future.