Emmett and Gem County

The Payette River and some of its tributaries serve Gem County from border to border. An abundance of water, a mild climate with protected valley floors, and natural vegetation beckoned to those on Placerville’s Umatilla Trail. Having reached the ocean, many of those who had not found their utopia were on the move again, looking with an experienced eye for a place to settle with their families. These valleys had blessed the Shoshoni Indians, as well as the fur trappers and enterprising people providing services to early travelers. As communities progressed, the timber industry, railroads, highways, agriculture, horticulture, and ranching matured to meet demand. This growth, with only occasional setbacks, is documented by this collection of photographs.