Quote from Angela on March 1, 2021, 2:36 pm

The area surrounding McCall was originally inhabited by 19th century Shoshone Indians and furtrappers. One of whom was Francois Payette, one of the original French-Canadian furtrappers.

Francois was noted for his assistance aiding travellers crossing the Payette River. To his delight he noted the river to be filled with fish and surrounded by yielding Ponderosa pine trees.

In 1890 the beautiful Idaho wilderness became the official 43rd State in America and Boise was designated as the State capital. Francois Payette eventually went on to manage Fort Boise. The Payette River was named in his honour.

At a time when many were uprooting in the search of new and promising opportunity, Tom and Louisa McCall along with their daughter and four sons left their working farm and headed to Idaho via train from Missouri to Nampa. They had been informed of a beautiful land with fish filled lakes and surrounding fertile fields.

So, with dreams of running their very own family ranch, and pondering that this may be ideal cattle-raising land, they braved the winter and started their journey. They initially took up ranch work in Emmett. 

They crossed the mountain area of what is recognised today as Cascade, tragically losing one of their beloved sons to a longstanding illness. Yet even through heartbreak, heroically, they went on.

Finally, they reached the river and set about constructing a home. The village continued to expand as word rapidly spread about this thriving new settlement with many more families joining them.

In 1892 with the introduction of vehicles they erected their very first wooden crossing bridge, which reached over to the Bardot settlement, enabling miners and tree loggers to travel to and from work. 

They traded goods, cattle and wagons, together developing a good and strong community. By the late 1800s McCall village (today known as downtown McCall) was established, the McCall we know and love today.

The very first hotel erected here was the Hotel McCall, after Tom McCall, and was located at Lake Street and 2nd, a very successful hotel frequented by visitors from the Treasure Valley. The hotel changed hands several times and was also known as The Peabody Hotel and The Hotel Lakeview. Sadly the building suffered a fire and burned down in the 1940s.

A man named Jack Wyatt started a steamboat tour excursion service along the river which proved extremely popular with family celebrations and 4th July parties!

Tom began working as a post man and his wife Louisa started a school for the local children. These men toiled continuously through the years and the seasons, and from nothing they established a whole town from the glorious lands of Idaho.

You see Idaho wasn't simply founded by good men, it was founded by truly great and honourable men.

Just like the words of a song, "They aspired to heights of glory" and you know something, they surpassed those heights so magnificently that all Idahoans ought to feel proud of their heritage today.

I suppose this is the part where we could say 'the rest is history'.

Scenic views, alpine skiing, boating, fishing, camping and restaurants. Some truly idyllic settings. Visit Idaho today and walk the lands where noble men have walked.

Song reference 'Ladys Maid' from the movie Titanic.