According to Liuxers, Custer County is located in central Idaho and is the state’s ninth largest county. It covers an area of 2,957 square miles and has a population of around 4,500 people. The county seat is Challis, which is also the largest city in the county.
The county was named after General George Armstrong Custer who fought in the Battle of Little Big Horn during the Indian Wars. Custer County is home to several mountain ranges including the White Cloud Mountains, Sawtooth Mountains, Salmon River Mountains, and Boulder Mountains. The highest point in the county is Mt. Heyburn which stands at 11,212 feet above sea level.
The economy of Custer County is largely based on agriculture with cattle ranching being one of its primary industries. Other industries include timber harvesting and mining operations as well as tourism due to its many recreational opportunities such as fishing, camping, hunting, and skiing at nearby Sun Valley Ski Resort.
Custer County is also home to several historical sites including the historic mining town of Bayhorse which was established in 1871 and abandoned in 1941 due to a fire that destroyed much of its buildings. There are also numerous ghost towns scattered throughout the county that were abandoned during Idaho’s gold rush days as well as several old military forts from when Idaho was part of Oregon Territory before it became a state in 1890.
The educational system within Custer County consists primarily of public schools with no private schools or universities located within its borders. There are four public high schools located throughout the county as well as eight elementary schools and three middle schools.
History of Custer County, Idaho
Custer County was established in 1877 and named after General George Armstrong Custer who fought in the Battle of Little Big Horn during the Indian Wars. It is located in central Idaho and is the state’s ninth largest county, covering an area of 2,957 square miles. The county seat is Challis, which is also the largest city in the county.
Before it became a state, Idaho was part of Oregon Territory and Custer County was home to several military forts that were established to protect travelers heading west. Some of these forts included Fort Hall near present-day Pocatello, Fort Boise near present-day Boise, and Fort Lemhi near present-day Salmon.
During the gold rush days of 1864, prospectors flocked to Custer County in search of their fortunes. Many towns were established throughout the county during this time including Bayhorse which was founded in 1871 and abandoned in 1941 due to a fire that destroyed much of its buildings. Other ghost towns scattered throughout the county were also abandoned during this time when miners moved on to other areas when gold became scarce.
The economy of Custer County has been largely based on agriculture since its founding with cattle ranching being one of its primary industries. Other industries include timber harvesting and mining operations as well as tourism due to its many recreational opportunities such as fishing, camping, hunting, and skiing at nearby Sun Valley Ski Resort.
The educational system within Custer County consists primarily of public schools with no private schools or universities located within its borders. There are four public high schools located throughout the county as well as eight elementary schools and three middle schools.
Major cities and towns in Custer County, Idaho
Custer County is home to several cities and towns that offer a variety of amenities and services to its residents. The county seat is Challis, which is the largest city in the county with a population of 1,091 according to the 2010 US Census. Located at an elevation of 5,040 feet above sea level, Challis has a semi-arid climate and provides access to a variety of outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, camping, hunting, and skiing at nearby Sun Valley Ski Resort.
The city of Mackay is located in the southwestern part of Custer County and has a population of 637 people according to the 2010 US Census. It is home to several attractions such as Mackay Bar Outfitters which offers guided horseback riding trips along the Salmon River and the historic Mackay Mansion which was built in 1903 by wealthy silver mining magnate John W. Mackay.
The town of Clayton is located in eastern Custer County near the Lost River Range with a population of 140 people according to the 2010 US Census. It serves as a gateway town for visitors heading into nearby Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve or those looking for outdoor recreation opportunities such as camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
The city of Bayhorse is located on Highway 75 in northern Custer County with a population of 24 people according to the 2010 US Census. It was founded during Idaho’s gold rush days in 1871 but was abandoned by 1941 due to a fire that destroyed much of its buildings leaving behind only ruins from its former glory days.
Other smaller towns located throughout Custer County include Ellis which had a population of 22 people according to the 2010 US Census; Leadore which had a population of 33 people; May which had 27 people; Pahsimeroi with 11 people; Stanley with 19 people; Tendoy with 39 people; and White Bird with 55 people according to 2010 US Census data.
Airports in Custer County, Idaho
Custer County, Idaho is served by two regional airports: Challis Airport (U78) and Mackay Airport (U70). See Idaho airports. Located in the county seat of Challis, the Challis Airport is a public use airport owned by the county. It features one asphalt runway measuring 4,200 feet in length and is home to several local aviation services including charter planes, flight instruction, and aircraft rentals. The airport also offers maintenance and repair services for small aircraft.
The Mackay Airport is located approximately two miles northwest of downtown Mackay and is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It features one paved runway measuring 4,000 feet in length as well as a small terminal building with a lounge area and basic amenities such as restrooms and vending machines. The airport provides access to nearby recreational activities such as fishing on the Salmon River or visiting Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve.
Both airports offer general aviation services including fuel sales, aircraft maintenance, hangar rentals, tie-downs, repairs, and pilot supplies. There are also several rental car companies located at each airport for visitors looking to explore Custer County or nearby attractions such as Sun Valley Ski Resort or City of Rocks National Reserve.
In addition to these two regional airports, there are several other airstrips located throughout Custer County that serve private pilots flying into or out of the area. These airstrips include Big Creek Airstrip (ID92), Ellis Airstrip (ID22), Leadore Airstrip (ID08), May Airstrip (ID77), Pahsimeroi Airstrip (ID50), Stanley Airstrip (ID85), Tendoy Airstrip (ID05) and White Bird Airstrip (ID25). All these airstrips feature unpaved runways ranging from 2,400 feet to 3,400 feet in length suitable for smaller single-engine aircrafts only.