Historic photos give us a glimpse into life decades ago. A single photo can share details that are sometimes hard to put into words. In the 1970s, the world was changing, and here in Idaho, it was a challenging time, particularly during the Teton Dam Flood. We’ve gathered nine historic photos of Idaho from the 1970s that give us a glimpse into life during this time — the good, bad, and everything in between.
1. In May 1973, a jet boat travels along the Snake River between Lewiston and Hells Canyon to deliver mail to remote ranches.
At the time of the dam’s collapse, the reservoir was approximately 270 feet deep and completely drained in under six hours. The collapse of the Teton Dam resulted in 11 deaths. Thousands of livestock were also killed, and total damage estimates of the flood were more than $2 billion. The dam was never rebuilt.
8. People launch a boat in the middle of Rexburg during the Teton Dam Flood in 1976.
What do you think of these historic photos in Idaho? Do you have any family photos from the 1970s that you’d love to share? Did you live in Idaho during this time period? If so, feel free to share your photos and stories in the comments!
And, if you want to check out even more vintage photos of Idaho, take a look at these 10 photos that show what life was like living in Idaho in the early 1900s. You can also check out what living in Idaho was like in the 1960s by viewing these nine historic photos.
Running straight through Southern Idaho and forming the lifeblood of the state, the mighty Snake River is a powerful, magnificent body of water that has carved the intimidating Snake River Canyon over the course of thousands of years. While the plunging depths of the gorge are definitely intimidating, reaching over 500 feet deep, what's perhaps most impressive is the canyon's girth. At certain points, the canyon reaches around 1600 feet wide; nearly 1/4 of a mile across.
advertisement
The scenic canyon slices through the outskirts of Twin Falls, and without going around the region, there's only one way to get across the canyon: the Perrine Bridge. In fact, when it was built in 1927, the Perrine Bridge over the canyon — which stands at an impressive 486 feet — was the tallest bridge in the world.
You might have heard the story of how a famous daredevil, one Evel Knievel himself, decided that there was another way to get across the gorge: a steam-powered rocket. What you might not know is that the Snake River Canyon wasn't his first choice for his now-famous stunt — or that the terrifying stunt was recreated.
The Snake River Canyon is an intimidating sight, but one you might not even see from a distance because of how sharply the canyon walls plummet down to the Snake River.
At 212 feet, this raging beauty is taller than Niagara Falls and delightfully unexpected as the water pours out of the rocky, desert landscape.
In the early 70s, world-famous Evel Knievel decided he wanted to jump the Grand Canyon by motorcycle. When his request was denied, he scouted the country in search of a comparable challenge ... finding it in humble Idaho.
To meet legal restrictions, he leased land on both sides of the canyon and set to work building an angled dirt ramp and a 180-foot tall launch structure for the rocket he hoped would get him to the other side: the steam-powered SkyCycle X2.
But every test jump, each of them sans Knievel, plunged straight into the raging Snake River at over 350 miles per hour.
The custom-built machine sat perched on an almost vertical-angled launch structure, equipped with multiple parachutes to help Knievel land (somewhat) gently on the other side of the 1600-foot canyon. Already well up in years, Knievel's greatest concern before launch was that the G-force of the rocket would make him blackout and release the safety parachute too early.
As millions watched on TV and thousands more gathered in person, the parachute opened even before Knievel was off of the launch pad and fully deployed mid-air, bringing the rocket to a near-halt over the middle of the canyon.
Hearts fell as the SkyCycle began plunging — spinning — towards the water. Paddlers rowed towards the center of the river as quickly as they could. Fortunately, strong canyon winds blew the X2 backward towards the rocks just in time and Knievel was able to escape the rocket with only a broken nose. The cause? An electrical issue.
A monument was placed in the visitor center on the southern end of the Perrine Bridge in commemoration of the attempt.
The 1974 stunt was one of the last for the aging Knievel.
Recently, world-class stuntman Eddie Braun decided to recreate the jump and succeed where Knievel couldn't.
advertisement
Were you watching when either of these famous daredevils took flight over the Snake River Canyon?
The Snake River Canyon, Shoshone Falls, The Perrine Memorial Bridge, and even the Evel Knievel jump site are all excellent road trip stops. For some other road trip ideas, check out our list featuring some of our favorites. Just make sure you are prepared for your road trip with some of the best car-friendly snacks!
If you're searching for another must-visit spot to visit in the area, check out the Twin Falls Visitor Center, one of the coolest visitor centers in Idaho.
This Historic Park Is One Of Idaho’s Best Kept Secrets
Nez Perce National Historical Park in Idaho offers a unique historical adventure with 38 sites spanning four states, showcasing the rich history of the Nez Perce people.
Few people realize that one of the most unique national parks in the country is located here in Idaho. The Nez Perce National Historical Park preserves an important time in Idaho history. It's at this historic park that you can see incredible sites and artifacts from before the Gem State was even a state. This hidden gem park in Idaho is a great place for history buffs but anybody and everybody can find a reason to love this destination. Visit this little-known side of Idaho for an adventure you're bound to appreciate.
advertisement
Spanning four states, the Nez Perce National Historical Park seeks to preserve a notable piece of Idaho history. The Nez Perce have called this region home for thousands of years and this historic park is a great place to explore and learn all about them.
The park does not follow the format of most national parks. It is composed of 38 individual sites that span four states (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington). These sites are not linked by geography but rather they are linked by history.
A whopping 26 of the park's sites are located throughout northern Idaho, near or on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. If you plan it just right, you may be able to see all of them in just one day. There's a lot to see in this park and you'll want to cover every inch of it!
A great place to start is the visitor center located in Spalding, Idaho. This place provides the perfect introduction to the Nez Perce story. Here you'll find information about the rest of the sites, guidelines for visiting, and interpretive trails that will take you to the surrounding historical attractions.
Also inside the visitor center is a museum featuring a stunning collection of clothing, tools, weapons, and ceremonial objects. You'll find the visitor center just 11 miles east of Lewiston, off of U.S. Highway 95.
You'll soon discover that many of the park's sites are strongly associated with the resistance of Chief Joseph and his band who were involved in many skirmishes with the U.S. Calvary. The White Bird Battlefield is a notable stop, located just south of Grangevile. Here you'll find a viewpoint that looks out onto the battlefield and the rolling hills of Whitebird.
Located near Orofino is another fascinating site called Canoe Camp. This place is known for being the spot where the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery worked with the Nez Perce to carve the very same canoes that would take them to the Pacific Ocean in 1805.
A visit to the park isn't complete without a stop at the Weippe Prairie. This gorgeous prairie has always been a traditional gathering place for the Nez Perce, where families would come together to dig for camas bulbs, socialize, and worship. If the historical significance isn't enough, the unending beauty is bound to enchant you.
There's a ton to see throughout this incredibly historic park. We just highlighted a few of the most notable spots. Explore a side of Idaho that goes back centuries when you visit the Nez Perce National Historical Park.
For more information on the Nez Perce National Historical Park, visit the National Park Service website.
Have you visited this hidden gem park in Idaho? It's hard to believe more people don't know about this Idaho historic park. What is your favorite Idaho historic park? Let us know in the comments!
If you love visiting historic places in Idaho, you aren't alone. Check out this small town in southern Idaho that's full of Idaho history. It's the perfect road trip stop!
