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

Hudspeth's Cutoff

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 22, 2017

1. Hudspeth's Cutoff Marker

Inscription. In the summer of 1849, the California Gold Rush was diverted this way in search of a more direct route to the mines.

Stampeding 49'ers would try anything to save miles and time in their rush for California's gold: the regular Oregon and California trails looped north of here to Fort Hall, but on July 19, 1849 Benoni M. Hudspeth lead a party west from Soda Springs through rough country hoping for a more direct route through a gap 1.4 miles south of here. This immediately became the main road, though it saved far less than Hudspeth thought.

Erected by Idaho Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 161.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Trail, the Idaho State Historical Society, and the Oregon Trail series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 19, 1849.

Location. 42° 37.794′ N, 111° 55.044′ W. Marker is near Bancroft, Idaho, in Caribou County. It is on U.S. 30 at milepost 376.2 near Lundgren Canyon Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bancroft ID 83217, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies

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: Lava Hot Springs' healing waters (approx. 4½ miles away); Lava Hot Springs (approx. 4.6 miles away); a different marker also named Lava Hot Springs (approx. 4.6 miles away); Furs and farms, fire and floods... (approx. 4.8 miles away); Bancroft's First School (approx. 6.4 miles away); Black Canyon Gorge (approx. 9.3 miles away); Lava Flows and Wagon Trains (approx. 9.6 miles away); California dreaming in 1841 (approx. 9.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bancroft.

Other markers no longer nearby. Chesterfield (was approx. 2.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Lead Bell Mining Company (was approx. 4.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 22, 2017

2. Hudspeth's Cutoff Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,650 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.