indicate the level to which a name has been verified.Type Political Subdivision & River
Usage North Western American
Meaning & History
The town of **Salmon**, Idaho, takes its name from the Salmon River, which flows through the region and is one of the major tributaries of the Snake River. The river itself was named for the abundant salmon runs that once filled its waters—especially Chinook salmon, which historically migrated hundreds of miles inland from the Pacific Ocean to spawn.
The name “Salmon” thus reflects both the natural ecology of the area and its importance to the Indigenous peoples, particularly the Shoshone and Nez Perce, who relied on the river’s fish for sustenance and cultural practices. The river was also a key route during the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, when they crossed Lemhi Pass and encountered the Shoshone near present-day Salmon.
The town of Salmon was officially established in the late 19th century as a hub for mining, ranching, and timber, and it remains a gateway to the rugged wilderness of central Idaho.
The name “Salmon” thus reflects both the natural ecology of the area and its importance to the Indigenous peoples, particularly the Shoshone and Nez Perce, who relied on the river’s fish for sustenance and cultural practices. The river was also a key route during the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, when they crossed Lemhi Pass and encountered the Shoshone near present-day Salmon.
The town of Salmon was officially established in the late 19th century as a hub for mining, ranching, and timber, and it remains a gateway to the rugged wilderness of central Idaho.