History · Rathdrum

Rathdrum’s history is
mostly unwritten

The public archives hold just one old photo of Rathdrum. The rest are in attics, shoeboxes and the historical society. Help start the collection.

1old images & papers

5recent photos

Rathdrum State Bank 1972, 1972 · Wikimedia Commons

The story

from WikipediaRead it all ↗

In the 1800s the town was initially called Westwood in honor of one of the founders of the town, a Pony Express rider and rancher, Charles Wesley Wood, also known as "Wes." But in 1881 the postmaster in the town was informed by the federal government that the town would need to change its name since it was already taken by another town in the territory. A local businessman, Michael M. Cowley, recommended the name "Rathdrum" from County Wicklow in Ireland, his place of birth.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Timeline

built from the dates on the items below

1972Rathdrum State Bank 1972Commons

1980–1999Nothing yet. Family albums go here.

Be one of the first

Start Rathdrum’s collection

The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Rathdrum’s history is told.

1 of 10 decades since 1900 have photos 🔁Retake an old viewRathdrum State Bank 1972, 1972: stand where they stood+15 📦Share a family photoSign in to add one+10

Famous people from RathdrumWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Rathdrum.Meet them →

By decade

Rathdrum, decade by decade

1970s1 item

CommonsRathdrum State Bank 19721972

1980s–
1990s

Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.

📷 Add from your album

Today5 photos