Near Bancroft in Caribou County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Chesterfield

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 22, 2017

1. Chesterfield Marker

Inscription. In 1879, Mormon farmers from Utah settled Chesterfield, 16 miles north of here.

Based on Joseph Smith's Zion Plat, Chesterfield was laid out on an orderly grid of large blocks separated by wide streets with the Meeting House on the highest point. By 1881, its numbers had grown to more than 400. The town thrived for a generation before new trends in farming led to its decline. All but abandoned houses, buildings, and roads leave behind a footprint of Mormon origins.

Erected by Idaho Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 337.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 42° 39.006′ N, 111° 52.77′ W. Marker was near Bancroft, Idaho, in Caribou County. It was on U.S. 30 at milepost 378.8 near Lund Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Bancroft ID 83217, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Idaho’s Bear River Country. It was also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Hudspeth's Cutoff (approx. 2.4 miles away); Bancroft's First School

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(approx. 4.8 miles away); Lava Hot Springs' healing waters (approx. 6.8 miles away); Lava Hot Springs (approx. 6.8 miles away); a different marker also named Lava Hot Springs (approx. 6.8 miles away); Furs and farms, fire and floods... (approx. 7 miles away); Ivins Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 7½ miles away); Lava Flows and Wagon Trains (approx. 7.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bancroft.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Lead Bell Mining Company (was approx. 7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Chesterfield Historic Town Site -- Mormon Historic Sites. At its peak, it boasted a population of more than 400.1 Harsh, frontier conditions eventually caused the population of the settlement to dwindle to zero. However, it remains a largely untouched example of life in the 19th century.In the late 1970s, the nonprofit Chesterfield Foundation was formally organized to help restore and preserve the community. (Submitted on August 10, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 22, 2017

2. Chesterfield Marker

Entire sign has been removed. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Scot Johns, July 16, 2025

3. Entire sign has been removed.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 800 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on July 18, 2025, by Roger Scot Johns of Eagle, Idaho.