Minidoka County
More About Minidoka County |
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Minidoka County was established on January 28, 1913, with its county seat at Rupert. It was the 29th county formed in Idaho. It is named directly for the first settlement, Minidoka, a railroad siding. The name is Indian, but the exact meaning is in dispute. Some believe that Minidoka means, "well spring," but there was not a source of water such as a well or spring until 1946. Others say the word is Shoshoni and means "broad expanse," because the broadest portion of the Snake River Plain lies here.
Return to County Profiles Main Page, or page to next county, Nez Perce.
County Statistics:
County seat: Rupert
Population: 19.229
Minidoka County website
Borders: Blaine, Cassia, Jerome and Lincoln counties
What To See And Do :
Minidoka Historical Society Museum: You will take a step back into Minidoka's history with this museu, located in Rupert. Exhibits include the 1906 railroad depot, caboose and a restored Russell steam engine tractor ; wooden-wheeled carts used by firemen; an early 1900s marble soda fountain including its original supply containers for syrups, candy and confections; a restored sheep wagon and other period agricultural equipment and implements. The museum also features information on the Hunt Camp, the Japanese relocation camp used during World War II.
The Wilson Theatre was an older theatre in Rupert, Idaho, just seven miles down the road from Burley. For many years, it was owned and run by a local family.
The Wilson showed first-run, mainstream features and was a popular Friday night hangout for junior high and high school students from the small farming community.
The spacious lobby and large auditorium easily accommodated its young patrons. The Wilson did not have a balcony, but did have a stage behind its huge screen.
In 1990, the theatre ended its movie showing days because of new, larger facilities that were moving into the area. Since that time, The Old Wilson Theatre has served as a community church.
Famous Minidoka County Natives and Residents:
Lou Dobbs (1945- ), host of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, was born in Texas, but moved to Rupert when he was 12. He attended Minico High School, serving as student body president.
Bill Fagerbakke (1957- ) attended Minico High School in Rupert and the University of Idaho in Moscow. He is an actor who appeared on the TV sitcom "Coach" as well as other productions. He is currently the voice of Patrick Starr, SpongeBob's best friend on the animated series, "SpongeBob Squarepants."
(Sources include The Idaho Blue Book.)



