Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Comments (0)     E-mail article     Print view

Idaho fire laid bare remnants of Oregon Trail ruts

A wildfire that destroyed nine homes and damaged 10 others in southeast Boise last month also revealed remnants of the Oregon Trail. Members of the Idaho...

BOISE — A wildfire that destroyed nine homes and damaged 10 others in southeast Boise last month also revealed remnants of the Oregon Trail.

Members of the Idaho Chapter of the Oregon-California Trails Association plan to mark portions of the pioneer trail that are now visible after the Aug. 25 fire.

Before the blaze, two parallel pathways measuring about a half-mile altogether had been covered by tall brush. The paths, which are light depressions in the ground, stretch across a vacant field below a ridge where the homes were burned.

The pathways were discovered in satellite photographs taken days after the fire.

"We plan to mark it before the snow flies," association member Wally Meyer told The Idaho Statesman.

He said the last wagon through southeast Boise probably crossed the flat plain about 1890 on the property now owned by the Idaho Power Co., which is negotiating with the group to allow signs along the newly found pathways.

Investigators have concluded that an equipment failure on one of the company's electricity lines ignited the fire.

Meyer said that in the 1970s, he unsuccessfully tried to save the section of the Oregon Trail where the subdivision was built.

Meyer said the recent discovery is not a major surprise given what's known about the Oregon Trail's route through Boise.

"Nobody's ever really looked before," Meyer told The Associated Press. "But the Oregon Trail is always easy to find after a fire."

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

Comments
No comments have been posted to this article. Start the conversation.

advertising

Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan

Flood fears dampen business, home sales

Nicole Brodeur: Homeless woman bent on giving

Chuckanut Drive to be closed up to a week

Everett Symphony may cancel rest of season after holiday shows

Advertising

Video

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle

Marketplace

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

nwautos

Less is more: Group rides, good gas mileage have led to a scooter swarm in Seattlenew
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising