Discover the Rich History of the Emmett Ranger District

Whether you want to read about the guard station that was converted from a local tavern or a friendly gunfight, there is plenty of history in your forest! Click on the area of the map below that interests you, or use our drop menu to find a specific place. There is a story behind every old bridge and cabin on the district!

In 1905, Congress established the U.S. Forest Service to manage the nation’s timberlands. President Theodore Roosevelt issued proclamations for five new forest reserves in southern Idaho. The Payette, Sawtooth, and Weiser Forest Reserves covered what is today the Boise National Forest. Two years later Congress renamed forest reserves as National Forests. In 1908, Roosevelt partitioned Idaho’s reserves into smaller national forests. The Emmett Ranger District was included in the “old” Payette National Forest.

In 1944, Congress combined the “old” Payette and Boise National Forests. The “new” and present Payette National Forest, with headquarters in McCall, was established from the Idaho and Weiser National Forests.

List of Historic Places on the Emmett Ranger District:

Old Payette National Forest, 1914. Consolidated with the Boise National Forest in 1944.
Area now included in the Emmett, Cascade, and Lowman Ranger Districts.