Gem County, Idaho

Please add profiles of those who were born, lived or died in Gem County, Idaho.

Named for the state nickname, "Gem State," the county was established on March 15, 1915. Fur trappers were in the area as early as 1818, and Alexander Ross explored Squaw Creek in 1824. Prospectors and miners moved through the county in 1862 en route to the gold rush in the Boise Basin around Idaho City, and by the next year irrigation began along the Payette River. Under Washington Territory, the area was part of Idaho County from the time of settlement until the territory south of the Payette River became part of Boise County at its creation in 1863. Picket's Corral, northeast of Emmett was the base of operations for a gang of horse thieves and "bogus dust peddlers" between 1862 and 1864. The Payette Vigilance Committee eliminated the gang, bringing safety for citizens of the area.

Adjacent Counties

• Adams County
• Washington County
• Valley County
• Boise County
• Ada County
• Canyon County
• Payette County

Cities & Communities

• Emmett (County Seat)
• Letha
• Ola
• Sweet

Links

Wikipedia

Gem County Museum

Emmett Presbyterian Church

First Baptist Church of Emmett

Sweet Methodist Episcopal Church

Boise National Forest (part)