GHOSTS ALONG I-15 NEAR THE IDAHO/MONTANA BORDER

History Within View of the Freeway

January 7, 2008

Interstate 15 crosses the Continental Divide at Monida Pass on the Idaho/Montana border. These days, people speed by on the freeway without paying much attention to the historic relics next to the freeway. For over a century, this has been an important route for commerce and tourism. In the late 1800's, a railroad was built over the pass, and a stage line ran from the new town of Monida to Yellowstone National Park. Later, roads were built in the area, and the main roads became part of the U.S. Highway system. Highway 20/191 (today's Highway 20) ran from Idaho Falls directly to Yellowstone, so the stage line from Monida to Yellowstone was bypassed, and it is a primitive gravel road to this day. Highway 91 ran through Monida Pass along the route of the railroad; it connected Idaho Falls and Butte. Monida then became an important stopover for travelers on the highway.

Interstate 15 was built through the pass in the 1960's and 1970's. The new freeway doomed some of the smaller towns that served the old highway. As time passed, services were consolidated in some of the larger towns and the smaller ones died. Monida met this fate, and now most of its buildings are abandoned. A few people remain, but there is very little activity. The even smaller town of Humphrey died many years ago, and very little remains. However, not all of the tiny towns died; Spencer survived and continues to thrive thanks to its opal mining industry.

Sometimes, it is worth the extra time to get off the freeway and drive along the remnants of the old highway; many interesting old relics can be found. On this trip, I got off the freeway at Humphrey, where I found an abandoned house. Then, I proceeded north on old Highway 91, where a picturesque old highway bridge still stands and is still in use. Finally, I passed through downtown Monida and returned to the freeway.

---

This derelict old house stands next to the freeway in the vicinity of Humphrey, Idaho.

It seems strange to see such a fancy bridge on a gravel frontage road. This road used to be the main highway, but it has now been bypassed by Interstate 15. This picturesque old bridge is a reminder of the past.


Monida Mercantile, a store and ice cream parlor with a post office, and a garage can still be seen at the town center of Monida, Montana. It has been many years since they have seen any business.



This old barn at the edge of Monida is easily seen from the freeway.

All pictures were taken on September 2, 2007.

---

BACK

All contents of this site, unless otherwise noted, Copyright 2002-2008 Heather Harrison. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to accredited educational institutions to copy and use this material as desired, in whole or in part, provided that proper credit is given.