Shoshone, one of the oldest towns in the Magic Valley, was originally known as Naples, Big Bottoms, and Junction City—so named because of the Oregon Short Line Railroad that made it a hub. In 1882 it received the name that stuck—Shoshone, from the Native American word meaning “The Great Spirit.”

As a railroad hub, the town was the gateway for miners flocking to the Wood River Valley in the1878 and 1879. Learn more in today’s Eye on Sun Valley video featuring John W. Lundin.