During the first session of the Idaho Territorial Legislature in 1864, lawmakers created Oneida County, naming Soda Springs as its county seat. Although other counties had been created, Soda Springs was the first county seat to be named.
General Patrick Connor is credited with founding Soda Springs. In a sense, he founded two towns side-by-side. Connor’s troops led about 325 Morrisites to the valley where they platted the village of Morristown in 1863. Several years of cold weather discouraged the residents of Morristown, most of whom left for greener pastures. The Morristown site is mostly covered by Alexander Reservoir today.
Connor established Camp Connor on the hill above Morristown and laid out the town of Soda Springs above the fort. For a time, the two communities were known as Upper Town and Lower Town. The county offices for Oneida County were located at first in General Connor’s adobe store and hotel.
Soda Springs wasn’t the county seat for long. After three years Malad became the county seat of Oneida County. The town became a county seat again in 1919, this time for Caribou County when the Legislature divided up Oneida County. It remains the county seat today.
The area is famous for its soda deposits and numerous surrounding springs. The area was known as Soda Springs long before it was settled. Oregon Trail pioneers often stopped there.
The town has some interesting historical artifacts and one unique claim to fame. It has a mechanically timed geyser in the middle of town.
General Patrick Connor is credited with founding Soda Springs. In a sense, he founded two towns side-by-side. Connor’s troops led about 325 Morrisites to the valley where they platted the village of Morristown in 1863. Several years of cold weather discouraged the residents of Morristown, most of whom left for greener pastures. The Morristown site is mostly covered by Alexander Reservoir today.
Connor established Camp Connor on the hill above Morristown and laid out the town of Soda Springs above the fort. For a time, the two communities were known as Upper Town and Lower Town. The county offices for Oneida County were located at first in General Connor’s adobe store and hotel.
Soda Springs wasn’t the county seat for long. After three years Malad became the county seat of Oneida County. The town became a county seat again in 1919, this time for Caribou County when the Legislature divided up Oneida County. It remains the county seat today.
The area is famous for its soda deposits and numerous surrounding springs. The area was known as Soda Springs long before it was settled. Oregon Trail pioneers often stopped there.
The town has some interesting historical artifacts and one unique claim to fame. It has a mechanically timed geyser in the middle of town.
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