Riggins in Idaho County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Plows

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 3, 2024

1. Plows Marker

Inscription.
Before a field could be planted, it had to be plowed. Displayed here are examples of the types of plows used by hells canyon ranchers. From left to right they are as follows:

l. Steel walking plow or "foot burner." This plow was pulled by a horse while the operator walked behind the flow, controlling the direction and depth of furrow

2. Three wheeled single shear (one way) sulky biding plow. Pulled by two horses, the disk cut the sod ahead of the plow the angled wheel kept the plow straight in the row. Single shear plows could be only used in one direction.

3. Three wheeled, disk, sulky riding plow. Pulled by two or more horses the disk plow was used in extremely rocky fields because the disk could ride up over larger rocks. One of the key selling points of three wheeled plows was that they were more maneuverable and could turn square corners.

4. Two wheeled, double shear (two way) sulky riding plow. Pulled by two or more horses, this unit would use one plow on the first pass and the other on the return, thus rolling all furrows in the same direction.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

topic lists: Agriculture • Anthropology & Archaeology.

Location. 45° 34.097′ N, 116° 29.903′ W. Marker is in Riggins, Idaho, in Idaho County. It can be reached from Kirkwood Ranch. Marker located between the historic Kirkwood ranch houses and the Snake River. There is no direct road access. Must be accessed on foot via the Snake River Trail, 6 miles from Pittsburg Landing or via boat on the Snake River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Riggins ID 83549, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Idaho — Idaho’s Panhandle.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

specifically in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Horse Drawn Farm Equipment (here, next to this marker); McCormick Sickle Bar Mower (a few steps from this marker); Scrapers (a few steps from this marker); Harrows (a few steps

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 3, 2024

2. Plows Marker

from this marker); Hay Rakes (within shouting distance of this marker); Buck Rake (within shouting distance of this marker); John Deere Steel Wheeled Truck (within shouting distance of this marker); Sterling Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riggins.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 199 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 7, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.