Page Contents for Clark Fork, Idaho

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

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Statistics & Facts

The Idaho state capital is Boise.
The population of Clark Fork is approximately 448 (1990), 536 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 236 (1990), 260 (2010).
The amount of land area in Clark Fork is 2.53 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Clark Fork to Washington DC is 2165 miles.
The distance to the Idaho state capital is 313 miles. (as the crow flies)
Clark Fork is positioned 48.14 degrees north of the equator and 116.17 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Clark Fork elevation is 2,084 feet above sea level.

Location

On Hwy 200 in the far northern panhandle of Idaho above Coeur D'Alene
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History & History Related Items

The City of Clark Fork became a viable town in the early 1880's during the construction by the Northern Pacific Railroad of a line through the Bitterroot and Cabinet Mountains. It has remained a small community throughout a 100 years plus of history and its citizens have seen considerable mining, logging, sawmills, farming, Forest Service activity, fish hatcheries, dam construction, fur trapping activity, collegiate studies and homes for teens. Also, for most of it's history the railroad maintained a station and section crew in Clark Fork. Clark Fork became an incorporated city in 1912.

Most of Clark Fork's residential and business district is platted on land laid out in lots by John and Annie Nagel in 1903. John Nagel had received patent from the Federal Government in the year 1900. Early settlers who have descendents in the area are Foster, Vogel, Mead, Klug, White, Hazelroth, Brashear, Reed, Bixel, Johnson, Webb, Derr, Nagel Sheilds and Daugherty. A 1950 News-Bulletin article mentions Herman (Fitz) Vogel, Sr. as the longest resident of Bonner County.

Until WWI there was a lot of sawmill activity, then to a lesser degree through the 1950's. Early sawmills include McGillis and Gibbs, Lane and Potter. From the start until the late 1950's, mining operations played an important role in the community's economy. Approximately 75 men were employed in the mining and milling industry during the peak years. The Whitedelph mine and mill located near the Spring Creek fish hatchery began operation in 1926 and ceased in 1958. It yielded galena ore assaying principally in silver, lead and zinc. There was Lawrence mine located on Antelope Mountain near Mosquito Creek and near what is known today as the University of Idaho field campus. There are numerous other prospect holes scattered all over nearby hills.

Until WWII the Clark Fork Valley supported numerous small farms which were usually homesteads staked out by early settlers. Since then, the small farms have disappeared and in their place are fewer large farms.
Taken from the Bonner County History Book

Here is a history page for Clark Fork.
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Attractions

Fine scenery, great fishing and excellent hunting
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Clark Fork City Government

Clark Fork City council
Phone: 208-266-1315

Clark Fork Chamber

Clark Fork Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 159
Clark Fork, ID 83811
Phone: 208-266-1552
Serving Hope, Trestle Creek and Clark Fork

Clark Fork Organizations

Clark Fork Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 159
Clark Fork, ID 83811
Phone: 208-266-1552
Serving Hope, Trestle Creek and Clark Fork