Enjoy and Explore the Mini-Cassia Area
There truly is something for everyone in the Mini-Cassia area. Whether you are looking for adventure in the great outdoors, exploration into history, a neat little boutique, or just some great food; we have it here!
Mini-Cassia is home to 12 cities and towns plus 7 state & national parks, forests, and reserves. The area boasts the ski resort with the longest season and most snowfall as well as the best water skiing area on the Snake River. There is never a dull moment with the multitude of events from festivals and fairs to tournaments and triathlons. The Mini-Cassia area has something for everyone! Come and stay awhile!
For brochures or questions,
contact the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce.
Phone: (208) 679-4793
Email: visitorinfo@pmt.org
There truly is something for everyone in the Mini-Cassia area. Whether you are looking for adventure in the great outdoors, exploration into history, a neat little boutique, or just some great food; we have it here!
Mini-Cassia is home to 12 cities and towns plus 7 state & national parks, forests, and reserves. The area boasts the ski resort with the longest season and most snowfall as well as the best water skiing area on the Snake River. There is never a dull moment with the multitude of events from festivals and fairs to tournaments and triathlons. The Mini-Cassia area has something for everyone! Come and stay awhile!
For brochures or questions,
contact the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce.
Phone: (208) 679-4793
Email: visitorinfo@pmt.org
City of Minidoka
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This tiny Minidoka County town, about 13 miles northeast of Rupert, has a big history. The city was established in 1884 as a mainline railroad siding. Until a 1906 fire destroyed more than half the town, it was the original county seat. In those days, Minidoka boasted 55 businesses, all of which sat on the north side of the Oregon Short Line Railroad track. Population then was 2,000 to 2,500. Minidoka is the southern entrance to the Great Rift area, with access road for anyone who like to go on desert explorations.
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Mayor: Jim Cook
City Council: Carmen Rodriquez, Bonnie Hoffmeister Office Phone: 531-4101 Population: 103 |
City of Albion
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The original Cassia County seat, Albion is set in a quiet mountain valley at the base of Mt. Harrison, about 18 miles southeast of Burley. As a tourist destination, the town is the gateway to skiing at Pomerelle Mounting Resort, camping and fishing at Lake Cleveland and historical study on the City of Rocks Backcountry Byway. Rich in history, Albion is also a popular getaway for Mini-Cassia residents who come for fine dining or to spend a weekend in the mountains. The historic campus of the former Albion State Normal School is a popular attraction, and regular events are held in the city park. The city library is open Saturdays, as is a Normal School museum on campus.
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Mayor: Sharon Hardy-Mills
City Council: Chad Manderscheid, Zack Alexander, Isaac Loveland, Kevin Lloyd Office Phone: 673-5352 Population: 259 www.albionidaho.org |
City of Almo & City of Elba
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While these two communities are separated by a lot of beautiful countryside, they share a common ranching and pioneer heritage that binds them together. Nestled at the base of Cassia County's highest peaks, Elba is about 32 miles southeast of Burley, and Almo is another 12 miles south of Elba along the City of Rocks Backcountry Byway. With some of the best scenery in Mini-Cassia, the Elba-Almo valley is a popular weekend escape. Almo is situated at the entrances to both City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park. Both parks draw rock climbers from around the world. The towns have a wealth of pioneer heritage with many signs still visible today. Remaining small and committed to a Western way of living, much in Almo and Elba has remained unchanged for generations. The Almo Creek Outpost offers fine meals and a few convenience items for visitors, but plan to stop in Albion or Malta if you forget to bring something from home. The Outpost also features themed cabins and nearby Durfee Hot Springs is a great place to relax during your getaway.
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For more information visit Castle Rocks State Park
For more information visit City of Rocks National Reserve |
City of Burley
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The City of Burley, founded in 1905, has a rich history. Its location, next to the mighty Snake River in the shadows of the mountains, has been a strategic place for centuries. With a population just over 10,000, Burley is the county seat for Cassia County. Burley is a farm, marketing and distribution center. Burley enjoys outdoor activities year round. In the summer the beautiful snake river is a haven for boaters and personal water craft. The mountains surrounding Burley are full of intense mountain bike and hiking trails, pristine lakes and hidden hot springs.
Burley offers many great amenities and offers a business friendly environment and welcoming and friendly atmosphere. |
Mayor: Steve Ormond
City Council: Casey Anderson, John Craner, Jon Anderson, Randy Hawkins, Russ Mallory, Bryce Morgan Office Phone: (208) 878-2224 Population: 9,316 http://burleyidaho.org |
City of Declo
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Where did they come up with a name like Declo? Legend has it Marshfield became Declo in April 1917, after it was decided the city would be named with an acronym of the first letter of the last names of the next five people who walked into the General Store. Those people were a Dethlefs, Enyart, Cooley, and either a Logan or Lewis and an Osterhout or Olsen. The last two are where the controversy lies. There are five different versions of the story, depending on who you talk to, says City Clerk Terri Koyle.
Situated eight miles east of Burley on Hwy 81, Declo is one two Mini-Cassia towns known as the home of the Hornets. The other is Oakley. Declo Elementary, Declo Junior High and Declo High School are all on the education campus at the southeast edge of town. Most students come from outside the city from as far away as Raft River and Albion, to attend school here. With a population of 350, Declo is famous for its motto, "Our town; our people," retains a small-town atmosphere residents treasure. The atmosphere is demonstrated during the community's one big celebration each summer on the second weekend of July—Declo Days. The all-day event includes a parade, community barbecue in the park, games for kids and a special patriotic tribute by veterans. |
Mayor: Jay Darrington
City Council: Ron Knowles, Clint Heward, Mark Payne, Lawrence Gillette Office Phone: 654-2124 |
City of Heyburn
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The City of Heyburn lies north of the Snake River and south of Interstate 84 between Idaho 30 and Idaho 27. It hosts several businesses, a police station, elementary school and post office. The Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce built it's new home and Visitor's Center in Heyburn since Heyburn's central location allows easy access to visitors and locals in both Minidoka and Cassia counties.
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Mayor: Cleo Gallegos
City Council: Joanne Justesen, Chad Anderson, Dick Galbraith, Rose Schmitt Office Phone: 679-8158 Population: 2,781 www.heyburnidaho.org |
City of Malta
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Situated in the heart of the Raft River Valley about 38 miles east of Burley, Malta is the center of activity for residents of eastern Cassia County stretching all the way to the Utah border. Much of Malta's events revolve around Raft River Elementary and Jr. and Sr. High School. The Raft River Trojans produce consistently top-performing athletes who take state titles at an alarming rate. Malta is a jumping-off point for hunting and other recreation in the vast wide open spaces of the Raft River Valley. Approximately 20 miles east of Malta on Forest Road, is Sublett - a popular area for its fishing and camping recreation.
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Mayor: Tina Loock
City Council: Rick Neff, Kim Thorton, Richard Hall and Gary Bake. Population: 177 Cassia County Sheriff's Dept: 878-2251 |
City of Oakley
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One of Cassia County's oldest communities, Oakley, is situated 20 miles south of Burley on Hwy 27. It is the western gateway to City of Rocks National Reserve and the eastern gateway to the South Hills, where an abundance of recreational opportunities abound all year round. This community is home of the world-famous Oakley Stone; Oakley Dam, the largest earthen filled dam in the world at its completion in 1911; the site of more historic homes per capita than anywhere in the U.S.; and the Oakley Valley Arts Council and Howells Opera House (one of the few continuously operating theatres built in 1907).The Oakley museum, on Main Street, is open May through Labor Day.
The big event of the year is Oakley Pioneer Days, a three-day community celebration held in July. Events include nightly rodeos, barbecue, booster breakfast, parade, kids' rodeo, Pony Express Race, Dutch oven cook off, dance and a musical play held at the historic Howell Opera House. The town has one of two public swimming pools in the county and a fee library open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons. |
Mayor: Larry Hinds
City Council: Ralph Barnard, Chantry Whittle, Matt Mallory, Helene Andrew Population: 660 Website |
City of Paul
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The city of Paul is located north of Burley and west of Rupert at the junction of State Highways 27 and 25. It was laid out by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Minidoka Irrigation project. The town is the hub of a vast farming area to the north and offers full services., groceries and restaurants and a new city park that features a snow tubing hill and will soon have a great jet water fountain.
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Mayor: Bruce Hossfeld
City Council: Bob Dempsey, Brent Stimpson, Brent Browning, Brooks Corbridge |
City of Rupert
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Rupert has a rich heritage with a Historic Business District that extends around Rupert Square, which is the heart of Rupert. The Renaissance Arts Center, Inc. has been renovating the historic 1920 flatiron Wilson Building and Theatre for the past several years. When finished, it will house retail space, a community center and the grand theater. In the center of the Square is a park with a gazebo that hosts many annual events. Free Rupert Square walking tour brochures are available at the Minidoka County Museum or the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce.
Shoppers on and around the square can find a variety of specialty shops, including a quilting shop, bookstore, shoestore, flower shop and restaurants. Many of the shops are located in historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Besides community events, history and shopping, Rupert offers many recreational opportunities for visitors. Thanks to the work of various service groups, there are miles of paths for walkers, joggers, bicyclists and in-line skating enthusiasts. |
Mayor: Mike Brown
City Council: Joel Heward, Todd McGhie, Craig Swensen, Tammy Jones Office Phone: (208) 436-9600 Population: 5,303 www.rupert-idaho.com |
Cassia County
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The area's first permanent residents arrived in 1868 settling in Albion. Many Mormon pioneers, under the direction of Utah Territory Governor Brigham Young, arrived in the Oakley Valley a short time later. Cassia County was later founded on February 20, 1879 with Albion as the county seat.
There are two stories on how Cassia County got its name. One says it was named after a French explorer named DeCassia. The other says it was named after the Cassia plant that grows along the banks of the Snake River. In 1905, David E. Burley, a Union Pacific Railroad passenger agent, conceived an idea of building a city along the Snake River where the railroad passed. Since Mr. Burley's work necessitated travel throughout the Midwestern United States, he influenced many farmers to migrate to this area. Mr. Burley, along with. B. Perrine, established the town "Commerce." Its name was later changed to Burley where the county seat was subsequently moved in 1919 by public vote. In the spring of 1984, because of the harsh winter and the early thaw, the Oakley Dam nearly burst. Had that taken place, it would have flooded the Oakley Valley all the way to the Snake River. The dry beds of Goose Creek, wherein lies Burley, also would have been flooded. However, it was avoided by the persistence of residents building a 30 mile canal to the Snake River in just a matter of days. |
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Minidoka County
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What is now Minidoka County was first surveyed in 1890 for a plausible location to construct a dam. On June 7, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Reclamation Act allowing construction of the dam. In 1904, the Reclamation Service reserved three-one square mile town sites for Burley, Rupert, and Riverton (now known as Heyburn).
The Minidoka Dam was finished on July 1, 1906, giving irrigation water to thousands of acres of desert. In 1909, Rupert was incorporated and had its first election. Rupert is perhaps most well-known for its town square. Rupert has also gone under major community development sponsored by the Rupert Renaissance Committee. Between 1943 and 1959, 7,300 acres were divided into 72 farm units. By lottery, they were given to military veterans in what was the largest homestead project in United States history. |
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City of Acequia
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Nestled four miles east of Rupert, Acequia boasts only a few more residents than its neighbor to the east, Minidoka. About 110 people call Acequia home year-round, said the city's recently retired clerk, Eldon Stephenson. In 1904 the settlement was called Sherrer, after one of its first settlers. It was a railroad siding for unloading settlers' livestock, machinery and supplies when the Minidoka Dam was completed and water began to run through the canals to surrounding farmland. The name was changed to Acequia in 1907.
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Mayor: Larry Wall
City Council: Terri McBride, Albert Castro, Darlene Moser, Nina Stephenson |
