Near Ione in Pend Oreille County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
The I&WNRR
Only a few high-powered steamboats were able to make it through the rocks and rapids of Box Canyon until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed blasting and clearing rock to widen and deepen the channel. Before 1907, most passengers and freight traveled around Box Canyon by wagon road between Bettencourt's Landing at the south end of the canyon and Elk's Landing at its northern end.The Idaho & Washington Northern Railroad offered an alternative to river travel — soon ending the era of transportation by steamboat.
The completion of the railroad coincided with the opening of the Inland Portland Cement Plant in Metaline Falls, the Panhandle Lumber Mill in Ione, and the development of the Josephine Mine (which later became part of the Pend Óreille Mine).
[Captions]
• (Left) I&WNRR trestle over Box Canyon under construction, looking north out of Box Canyon, about 1909.
• The completed trestle, looking south into Box Canyon. Box Canyon Dam, built in 1955, is now in the foreground.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts
this page online
Location. 48° 46.756′ N, 117° 24.571′ W. Marker is near Ione, Washington, in Pend Oreille County. Marker can be reached from International Selkirk Loop (Washington Route 31) 0.6 miles south of Box Canyon Dam Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in the Box Canyon Dam Viewpoint. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ione WA 99139, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within walking distance of this marker. The Box Canyon Dam Viewpoint (within shouting distance of this marker).
Also see . . . Idaho and Washington Northern RR Bridge (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination submitted for the bridge. (National Archives) (Submitted on May 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
