Now, here’s an interesting theory. You’ve probably heard that Idaho’s Lost Rivers (Big and Little) are so named because they disappear into the desert lava, the water eventually finding its way into the vast Snake River Aquifer. That makes sense, and I’m not disputing it, but I ran across a somewhat alternate theory while researching the original name of Lost River.
Antoine Godin (also referred to in some sources as Thyery Goddin), was an Iroquois who was in what would become Idaho with Donald Mackenzie’s fur hunters. They were looking for whatever might grow fur, particularly beaver, for the North West Company out of Montreal. Godin, or Goddin, found what we today call Lost River. He was impressed enough with the area that he gave the valley and river his name, i.e., Godin River and Godin Valley.
According to Lalia Boone’s well-researched book Idaho Place Names, a Geographical Dictionary, when Godin later returned to the area, he couldn’t find the river, thus the name Lost River became popular. Of course, either explanation could be describing the same phenomena.
Thanks to Godin’s discovery, the river was trapped out of beaver by 1824.
Antoine Godin (also referred to in some sources as Thyery Goddin), was an Iroquois who was in what would become Idaho with Donald Mackenzie’s fur hunters. They were looking for whatever might grow fur, particularly beaver, for the North West Company out of Montreal. Godin, or Goddin, found what we today call Lost River. He was impressed enough with the area that he gave the valley and river his name, i.e., Godin River and Godin Valley.
According to Lalia Boone’s well-researched book Idaho Place Names, a Geographical Dictionary, when Godin later returned to the area, he couldn’t find the river, thus the name Lost River became popular. Of course, either explanation could be describing the same phenomena.
Thanks to Godin’s discovery, the river was trapped out of beaver by 1824.
A 1956 photo of the Idaho Historical Marker telling the story of Goddin (or Godin) River. Courtesy of the Idaho State Historical Society digital collection.
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