

WASHINGTON TERRITORY 1859-62
| 1859 | Oregon admitted as a state, all of Idaho included in Washington Territory. |
| 1860 | Idaho's oldest town, Franklin, is founded just north of the Utah border on April 14. Miss Hannah Cornish starts the first school for white children in Idaho. Gold discovered on Orofino Creek in August, leads to the establishment of Idaho's oldest mining town, Pierce. Mullan military wagon road built just north of Coeur d'Alene. |
| 1861 | Lewiston established as a service community for Idaho mines on May 13. Salmon River mines discovered revealing the Florence diggings causes a mining stampede October 11. |
| 1862 | First newspaper published in Idaho is the Golden Age in Lewiston. George Grimes and a party of prospectors establish the Boise Basin mines, leads to the creation of Idaho City. Packer John's Cabin built between New Meadows and McCall. Gold discovered near present day Warren. |