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Horseshoe Bend, circa 1912 Courtesy Idaho State Historical Society
In 1862, prospectors found gold in Boise Basin, located east of Horseshoe Bend on the other side of Boise Ridge.
Horseshoe Bend blacksmith George Zimmer, 1916 Courtesy ISHS
Their discovery led to one of Idaho's largest gold rushes. A year later, the basin's population swelled to between twelve and fourteen thousand people.
Horseshoe Bend was established when miners headed for Boise Basin settled on the river to wait out the winter snows. For a short time, the town was known as Warrinersville, after a local sawmill operator.
In 1867, the name was changed to Horseshoe Bend. That year, a Kentucky miner named Felix Harris built a toll road to Placerville. It was rumored that Harris sometimes collected $1,000 a day in toll fees paid with gold. After the gold rush subsided, Horseshoe Band developed into a prosperous ranching and logging community.
Horseshoe Bend hotel, circa 1907 Courtesy ISHS
The school on Jackass Creek, shown below, served the community of Horseshoe Bend for over twenty years.
Horseshoe Bend school on Jackass Creek, circa 1895 Courtesy ISHS
