History sometimes turns up in the most surprising places. For instance, Riverside Boot and Saddle in Blackfoot is a store stuffed with Western wear and riding gear. They have a great selection of new and used trailers. They also have stores in Jerome and Caldwell.
I know that sounds like a commercial, but it’s only background for a little Idaho history trivia.
Up until 1972 the building where the Blackfoot store resides sat alongside railroad tracks in Mackay. In fact, it was the Mackay Depot, built by Union Pacific in about 1901. The Mackay Branch line was discontinued in 1961.
It’s not unusual for an old railroad depot to find another purpose, but the move from Mackay to Blackfoot (Rockford, to be exact) must have been one of the longer ones for traveling depots, a distance of about 80 miles.
I know that sounds like a commercial, but it’s only background for a little Idaho history trivia.
Up until 1972 the building where the Blackfoot store resides sat alongside railroad tracks in Mackay. In fact, it was the Mackay Depot, built by Union Pacific in about 1901. The Mackay Branch line was discontinued in 1961.
It’s not unusual for an old railroad depot to find another purpose, but the move from Mackay to Blackfoot (Rockford, to be exact) must have been one of the longer ones for traveling depots, a distance of about 80 miles.
This is a photo of the Mackay Depot in 1962, about a year after the spur line shut down.
It's not easy to spot the depot in its new role as Riverside Boot and Saddle.
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