Snake River - Fruitland, ID
Posted by: 
Phydux
N 43° 59.629 W 116° 56.159
11T E 505133 N 4871188
This highway history lesson provides information on the river for which this rest area has such incredible views.
Waymark Code: WMKMAT
Location: Idaho, United States
Date Posted: 05/01/2014
Views: 7
The Snake River through here provided much needed transportation assistance for people moving west for many years before history has been recorded in this area. The river stops being a navigation aid just a little down stream from here as it goes through the spectacular Hell's Canyon. This river is definitely the life giver for the region.
When visiting this historical marker, take the time to walk about 100 feet behind the sign and see the beautiful views of the river and the valley behind it. The rest area was placed here to capitalize on the views the river bluffs provide of the surrounding area.
Marker Name: Snake River
Marker Type: Roadside
Marker Text:
Snake River
The valley of the Snake, historic passage from the Midwest to the Northwest, has been a primary route for travel since the days of the Indians and Fur Traders.
The Oregon Trail forded the fiver at Old Fort Boise, the Hudson's Bay Company post 12 miles upstream. Many a famous early westerner saw the valley you now see - though the look of the land has changed since white settlement brought irrigated farms. Today the river provides both irrigation and power along its thousand-mile course from the Yellowstone country to the Columbia. Highways, railroads, and airlines follow its open valley east of here; but to the north, Hell's Canyon of the Snake is still almost impassable to man.
County: Payette
City: Fruitland
Group Responsible for Placement: The Idaho Historical Society and the Idaho Transportation Department
Marker Number: 263
Web link(s) for additional information:
Date Dedicated: 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.