Glenns Ferry, Idaho | |
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City | |
Location in Elmore County and the state of Idaho |
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Coordinates: 42°57′7″N 115°18′4″W / 42.95194°N 115.30111°WCoordinates: 42°57′7″N 115°18′4″W / 42.95194°N 115.30111°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Idaho |
County | Elmore |
Area | |
• Total | 1.94 sq mi (5.02 km2) |
• Land | 1.92 sq mi (4.97 km2) |
• Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) |
Elevation | 2,569 ft (783 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 1,319 |
• Estimate (2012) | 1,264 |
• Density | 687.0/sq mi (265.3/km2) |
Time zone | Mountain (MST) (UTC-7) |
• Summer (DST) | MDT (UTC-6) |
ZIP codes | 83623, 83633 |
Area code(s) | 208 |
FIPS code | 16-31690 |
GNIS feature ID | 0372857 |
Website | Glenns Ferry Chamber of Commerce |
Glenns Ferry is a city in Elmore County, Idaho, United States. The population was 1,319 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Interstate 84 and the Snake River.
Glenns Ferry was one of the most famous and treacherous river crossings on the Oregon Trail. Pioneers forded the Snake River at the Three Island Crossing until 1869, when Gustavus "Gus" Glenn constructed a ferry about two miles upstream, primarily to expedite freight but also for emigrants. His boat, which could hold two wagons, cut nearly twenty miles from the former route. In 1871 the city of Glenns Ferry was established. Construction of the Oregon Short Line Railroad through the town in 1883 gave the city its first major employer.
Three Island Crossing State Park, opened in 1971, is home to The Oregon Trail History and Education Center, where visitors can learn about pioneer emigrants and Native American history. The Glenns Ferry community sponsors a crossing commemoration the second Saturday of each August.
The townsite was platted in 1871, just downstream from the ferry site.
Glenns Ferry is located at 42°57′7″N 115°18′4″W / 42.95194°N 115.30111°W (42.951954, -115.301132), at an altitude of 2569 feet (783 m).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.94 square miles (5.02 km2), of which, 1.92 square miles (4.97 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.