The Idaho Potato Museum
Located in the old Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot you'll discover the world of Idaho's Famous Potatoes®. The Idaho Potato Museum is a unique museum which appropriately showcases Idaho's Famous Potatoes®. The rich graphics showcasing the history of the potato will lead you through the revolution of the potato industry. From the original potato planted in Idaho, to the largest potato chip made by the Pringle's Company in Jackson, TN. You'll be intrigued as you stroll through the Museum which was built in 1912. Once a bustling flurry of activity, the stone depot represents significant ties between the railroad and the potato industry. The Potato Museum provides information on potato history, the growing and harvesting process, nutrition, trivia and educational potato facts. Watch a short video presentation on how the potato industry has developed.
The museum is located in downtown Blackfoot, Idaho at 130 NW Main St. Parking with ADA access with plenty of room for Motor Coaches and RV's. Relax in the small park with a picnic area. The next time you're in "The Potato Capital of the World," or just passing through, please take some time to tour the Idaho Potato Museum.
Bingham County Historical Museum 190 North Shilling Avenue - Blackfoot, ID 83221 The museum, once the social center of Blackfoot, was built in 1905 by John G. and May Brown. He brought his family from Tennessee, complete with servants,
chauffeur and Chinese cook to live in the mansion.
The home was built of lava rock from the basement to the second floor, with the
upper floor being of painted lumber, with four Greek columns supporting the
gingerbread-railed balcony that roofs the front porch. With its fifteen rooms, glasswalled
sunroom, and promenade balcony overlooking the big front room, this grand
home soon became the social center of Blackfoot.
The Browns owned and operated a fine furniture store located on Bridge Street and
the Brown & Hart Mercantile on Main Street. After the death of Mr. Brown, Mrs. Brown returned to Tennessee, having sold the home in 1927 to Stewart Hoover Post 23 of American Legion. It was remodeled for their use as a Legion Post until Bingham County bought it in 1974 to be used as a museum.
At this time, the building was renovated, relics arranged and it was opened to
the public. In 1977 restoration began to restore the home as it was originally built.
From the rock-walled basement to the restored bedrooms upstairs, along passage
ways lined with old pictures and rare artifacts, this museum is set up as a beautiful
Southern mansion and reflects life in Blackfoot at the turn of the century.
The museum is for the benefit of the people of this county, and to aid in the
perpetuation and display of pioneer histories and relics. It is non-political and
non-sectarian. It is open three days a week: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from 1 pm to 4:30 pm, from the 2nd week in May through the 2nd week in
September. For special tours call 785-0397 or 782-0750.
Nuart Theater Blackfoot's cultural arts scene is centered at the Nuart Theatre. The Nuart was built in the 1920's, intended to show silent movies and was equipped to show “talkie” movies in 1930. The theatre has the distinction of being listed among only seven Idaho theatres on the National Register of Historic Places.
The theatre has been vigilantly restored by the Blackfoot Community Players, in conjunction with community volunteers and is now a community performing arts facility, opened in 1988. The full stage complete with dressing areas under-neath it, has been
preserved. Adorned in the Art Deco style, featuring floor-to-ceiling plaster motifs, the Nuart Theatre is a beautiful site for the productions held several times by the Blackfoot Community Players and other groups each year.
Community Swimming Pool Phone: 785-8625 Whatever the outside weather may be, Blackfoot residents are
able to enjoy swimming at the Blackfoot Municipal Pool. The
heated, indoor pool is covered by a Temcor, all-aluminum
geodesic dome, and includes a party room and a hot tub. Each
month brings special discounts and swim days.
Swimming lessons, water aerobics, lap swimming, birthday
parties, private rentals, life guard training, swim team, and
water safety instruction are offered year round. The pool also
accommodates kayak training and scuba training.
Eastern Idaho State Fair
The Eastern Idaho State Fair was established in 1902
by a group of cattlemen who purchased some ground around Blackfoot
with aspirations to run a livestock show and sale. The Fair has managed
to run continuously since that time, with various groups in charge,
except for two years. During the war in 1942 and 1943, the Fair Board
decided to shut down the fair operation and rented the buildings to
store surplus foodstuffs. However, in 1944 the fair was again part of
Blackfoot.
The Fair is a tradition that is part of Blackfoot, with activities starting
Labor Day weekend. Be it a family activity with the small children, a
social event for teenagers, or a get-together with old friends for
seniors, the Fair is the “place to be.” Food is a large part of the tradition,
with Tiger Ears sold by the Boy Scouts is a perennial favorite of fair
patrons. While egg rolls, turkey legs, Indian tacos, scones and famous
Idaho baked potatoes also top the list. And there's just something
about the smell of frying onions that can bring on a hunger attack.
Animals are also part of the attraction of the Fair. Farmers, ranchers
and 4-H kids from far and near bring their animals to compete for the
cash prizes offered. The size of the big draft horses takes your breath
away, as does the sight of the long-horn cattle. Who can resist the soft
bunnies and cuddly lambs?
The carnival, the world-class entertainment, and the stunning
displays of quilts, photographs, art work and crafts contribute to the
success of the Fair. Commercial exhibitors who bring every conceivable
item to sell, are also an important part of the event. Exhibits by
governmental agencies are also very popular with the 210,000 visitors
attending the Fair each year.
The Fair employs over 500 local people during fair week, with 7 employees working year round. Like many other businesses, the Fair
purchases building supplies, fencing, concrete, electrical and plumbing
supplies, vehicle and machinery parts, office supplies and equipment,
computers, paint, flowers and fertilizer. The Fair buys vehicles, tractors,
tires and fuel, and pays taxes, telephone bills, credit card charges,
insurance fees, water and sewer charges, and power and gas bills.
The Fair Board is a strong believer in community service and many
local service organizations help with Fair activities. We are proud to be
a part of the tradition of Blackfoot.
Ph. 208 785-2480 website or e-mail
Jensen Grove The crowning jewel in the Blackfoot park system owned and maintained by the City of Blackfoot, is Jensen Grove. A large picnic shelter and many picnic tables in the open are available to use for family reunions or business parties make this the location for the annual Independence Day Celebration sponsored by local businesses. This multi-functional park also provides many playground equipment stations to entertain the children and a skate park that is a model for surrounding communities. There is a two mile paved walking path, running the circuit of Jensen Lake, 55 acres of water which hosts many summer activities, including swimming, boating, and jet skiing.
Blackfoot Golf Course
Rated in the top five in Idaho by Golf Idaho magazine, The 18-
hole course boasts a 6,735 yard fairway for men and 6,385 yard women's fairway and is the location of many major state golf tournaments every year. The course rating is 70.5 and it has a slope rating of 127 on Blue grass. Designed by George Von Elm, the Blackfoot golf course opened in 1960.
Surrounding Area
Wolverine Canyon, located northeast of Blackfoot, offers hiking, whitewater rafting, camping, and fishing during the summer, and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling during the winter. All just minutes from Blackfoot!
Hells Half Acre National Landmark
This interesting interpretive nature trail takes visitors though an incredible 5,200 year-old lava flow with paved walkways and 25 engraved signs on the hike identifying aspects of the lava flow's unique ecosystem.
The Hells Half acre lava flow, which emerged from a shield volcano, is one of many basalt flows on the Snake River Plain. It is relatively young, and it has only been partially colonized by vegetation. It is also a very large and mostly roadless flow. Nevertheless, it is near the population centers of Idaho Falls and Blackfoot, and Shelley, Idaho (less than ten miles). Interstate highway 15 cuts through a small portion of the flow. At rest stops on the Interstate, there are short paved walks providing an interpreted trail across the very rough surface.
Blackfoot River Canyon
For a great backcountry scenic drive, check out this portion of the Blackfoot River Canyon. It's a smaller version of the Snake River Birds of Prey Area. Steep canyon cliffs, aspen and cottonwood trees support nesting golden eagles, prairie falcons, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls and other raptor species. Use turnouts along the road for parking and walk approximately 200 yards to the rim for viewing. A few road spurs provide access to the canyon bottom.
Bird Watching
Snake River at Blackfoot & Wolverine Canyon Conifer, Sagebrush Steppe, Forest Grouse
An outdoor recreation paradise, Blackfoot is in the heart of some of the country's best known recreational areas.
Two major motels facilities with a total of 121 rooms.
One smaller motel with
21 rooms.
Meeting rooms accommodating up to 150.
In addition, the Stout House is
a Bed & Breakfast with themed rooms for all occasions.
Media
The Morning News has a circulation of over 5500 papers daily and over 9000 circulation of Wednesday’s “Market Edition”.
Four network affiliated TV stations, 1 PBS channel, with multiple satellite and cable providers.
Seven local radio stations, AM and FM.
Financial Institutions
Financial Planning Consultants: 1
Financing: 2
Banks: 7
Credit Unions: 4
Upcoming Events In Blackfoot
Chamber Sponsors
The Greater Blackfoot Area Chamber Of
Commerce Located at 130 N W Main The Idaho Potato Museum Building Mail: P. O. Box 801 Blackfoot, Idaho
83221-0801 Phone: (208) 785-0510 Fax: (208)
785-7974 Copyright 1998 - 2008 Greater
Blackfoot Area Chamber Of Commerce, All Rights Reserved
Located in the old Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot you'll discover the world of Idaho's Famous Potatoes®. The Idaho Potato Museum is a unique museum which appropriately showcases Idaho's Famous Potatoes®. The rich graphics showcasing the history of the potato will lead you through the revolution of the potato industry. From the original potato planted in Idaho, to the largest potato chip made by the Pringle's Company in Jackson, TN. You'll be intrigued as you stroll through the Museum which was built in 1912. Once a bustling flurry of activity, the stone depot represents significant ties between the railroad and the potato industry. The Potato Museum provides information on potato history, the growing and harvesting process, nutrition, trivia and educational potato facts. Watch a short video presentation on how the potato industry has developed.
190 North Shilling Avenue - Blackfoot, ID 83221
Nuart Theater
Community Swimming Pool
The Eastern Idaho State Fair was established in 1902
by a group of cattlemen who purchased some ground around Blackfoot
with aspirations to run a livestock show and sale. The Fair has managed
to run continuously since that time, with various groups in charge,
except for two years. During the war in 1942 and 1943, the Fair Board
decided to shut down the fair operation and rented the buildings to
store surplus foodstuffs. However, in 1944 the fair was again part of
Blackfoot.
And there's just something
about the smell of frying onions that can bring on a hunger attack.
Animals are also part of the attraction of the Fair. Farmers, ranchers
and 4-H kids from far and near bring their animals to compete for the
cash prizes offered. The size of the big draft horses takes your breath
away, as does the sight of the long-horn cattle. Who can resist the soft
bunnies and cuddly lambs?
The carnival, the world-class entertainment, and the stunning
displays of quilts, photographs, art work and crafts contribute to the
success of the Fair. Commercial exhibitors who bring every conceivable
item to sell, are also an important part of the event. Exhibits by
governmental agencies are also very popular with the 210,000 visitors
attending the Fair each year.
Wolverine Canyon, located northeast of Blackfoot, offers hiking, whitewater rafting, camping, and fishing during the summer, and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling during the winter. All just minutes from Blackfoot!
The Hells Half acre lava flow, which emerged from a shield volcano, is one of many basalt flows on the Snake River Plain. It is relatively young, and it has only been partially colonized by vegetation. It is also a very large and mostly roadless flow. Nevertheless, it is near the population centers of Idaho Falls and Blackfoot, and Shelley, Idaho (less than ten miles). Interstate highway 15 cuts through a small portion of the flow. At rest stops on the Interstate, there are short paved walks providing an interpreted trail across the very rough surface.
Blackfoot River Canyon
