Gateway to the Pacific Northwest
Portneuf Narrows is the geographic key to the development
of Pocatello and southeast Idaho. It was this narrow gap that
allowed trade and access to the Snakre River Plain and the entire
Pacific Northwest.
This water-level route was followed by stages and freight wagons from
1864 to 1878 on the Idaho Gold Road. The narrow-gauge Utah and
Northern railroad was built through here in 1878 and the Oregon Short
Line in 1882.
