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Kooskia

Kooskia

Kooskia, Idaho (pronounced koo-ski)
Region: Clearwater Region in North Central Idaho
County: Idaho
Location: 73 miles East of Lewiston at the junction of Hwy 12 & Hwy 13 on the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway

Kooskia was named for what is now the Clearwater River. The Nez Perce Tribe called it Koos-Koos-Kia meaning "where the waters meet." Nestled amid protective hills at the confluence of the Southfork and Middlefork of the Clearwater River lies the city of Kooskia. Lumber production, farming, cattle ranching, logging, and tourism are the major industries of the Kooskia area.

The town site was established in 1895 and was originally known as Stuart, named for James Stuart, a Nez Perce surveyor and merchant. The railroad track was laid into Kooskia on March 13, 1900. There was a tram from Kooskia's flourmill to the Camas Prairie grain fields from 1903 to 1939. The tramway had two cables running the entire length of a mile and a quarter, which carried thirty buckets for transporting grain.

Kooskia was known among western horsemen, during the 1900's as the home of the Decker saddle. The saddle was developed by Oliver P. Robinett, a blacksmith and packer in 1906. Some accounts also credit Robinett for the Polaski, a mattock-axe tool that is standard equipment for forest fire crews.

Community Links:

• Kooskia Chamber of Commerce

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