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 Entrepreneur J.J. Goff Posted by:  Volcanoguy
N 45° 25.566 W 116° 18.723
11T E 553817 N 5030516
The “Entrepreneur J.J. Goff” sign in Riggins, Idaho.
Waymark Code: WMAR3Z
Location: Idaho, United States
Date Posted: 02/15/2011
Views: 2
This history sign, about J.J. Goff, is one of a series on the Salmon River Heritage Walking Tour in Riggins, Idaho.
Marker Name: Entrepreneur J.J. Goff
Marker Type: City
Marker Text:
Goff Trail and Ferry
Before the wagon road from White Bird to Meadows was completed in 1903, travelers endured a trecherous and roundabout overland journey. Seeing the need for a faster and more direct route, the enterprising J.J. Goff offered ferry service across the Salmon River at Race Creek and built a one-mile trail from Race Creek to Gouge-Eye Flat. Parts of the primitive trail are still visible today.
Goff’s Exclusive Rights
In 1866, Idaho County Commissioners granted J.J. Goff the exclusive right to establish toll charges for his trail and ferry on Race Creek.
Goff -- Salmon River Stage Stop
By the late 1870s, the area at the mouth of Race Creek was known as “Goff.” Ever the entrepreneur, Goff bought the Race Creek property, including a stone house and race. The race, or water ditch, was used for irrigation and nearby placer mining. In 1894, John Levander purchased the property, built the Goff Hotel and Store, and established a post office and stage stop. Levander’s sons, Homer and Edgar, also operated the nearby Goff Ferry.
Goff Bridges
The first automobile bridge spanning the Salmon River at Goff was built in 1911 and 1912 at the then astronomical cost of $15,000. Construction of this bridge completed the first auto road between north and south Idaho.
The original bridge was replaced in 1934 with a $34,000 bridge that lasted 65 years.
In 1999, the bridge was replaced with the present modern design at today’s thrifty sum of 12.4 million dollars.
County: Idaho
City: Riggins
Group Responsible for Placement: City of Riggins
Marker Number: None
Date Dedicated: Not listed
Web link(s) for additional information: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
In your log, please say if you learned something new, and if you took any extra time to explore the area once you stopped at the historic marker waymark.
If possible please post a photo of you OR your GPS at the marker location.
Also if you know of any additional links not already mentioned about this bit of Idaho history please include that in your log.
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