Chesterfield, Idaho, Caribou County, is a fascinating ghost town that once thrived and now represents the passage of time. Nestled in the scenic expanses of Idaho, Chesterfield offers a glimpse into the past, drawing the curious and the adventurous alike. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Caribou County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 42.8786° N, 111.9058° W
Elevation: Approximately 5,446 feet (1,660 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MT)
Established: 1880
Disestablished: Not officially disestablished, but declined markedly in the 1930s
Comments: Chesterfield was established by Mormon settlers in the late 19th century. It served as a vibrant farming community and a waypoint for settlers traveling west. The town experienced prosperity during its early years, supported by agriculture and a strong community spirit.
However, as transportation routes shifted and larger towns developed nearby, Chesterfield’s population dwindled, leading to its ghost town status.
Remains: Several well-preserved structures remain in Chesterfield, including a church, homes, barns, and a schoolhouse. The Chesterfield Foundation partially restored and maintained these buildings, offering a glimpse into the town’s former life and preserving its historical significance.
In 1980, the community was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district and on the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation’s Mormon Historic Sites Registry. The historic district includes 41 buildings and eight sites spread over 2,160 acres (870 ha). Some buildings in the district are examples of the Greek Revival and Queen Anne architectural styles.
In 1879, Chester Call and his niece’s husband, Christian Nelson, established a horse ranch in the area. Thinking this might be a good area to live in, Chester Call told his family and friends about it, and they decided to come and settle in 1881 and 1882.
Chesterfield’s first settlers built their homes at the bottom of the Portneuf River, west of present-day Chesterfield. Unlike typical Mormon settlements, which were founded by settlers sent by LDS Church authorities, the community was founded spontaneously by its first settlers and not set up in the typical compact, grid-patterned townsite.
Also, in 1881, the Union Pacific Railroad started to construct the Oregon Short Line Railroad to the south of Chesterfield, running through present-day Bancroft.
The new settlers sold logs and railroad ties to the railroad, raising much-needed cash. In 1883, LDS Church authorities visited the area to establish a branch. While there, the visiting leaders asked their members to organize into a central village away from the Portneuf River floodplain. The current Chesterfield townsite was chosen up along the foothills.
As in traditional Mormon towns, Chesterfield was laid out in a grid pattern of thirty-five ten-acre blocks. By 1890, the LDS meetinghouse and store were the only buildings on the town site, and a mistake in the government survey temporarily kept the land off the market.
Current Status: Chesterfield is recognized as a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is maintained as a heritage site, attracting visitors interested in history, architecture, and the pioneer spirit.
Located along the Oregon Trail, Chesterfield was founded by Mormon settlers in 1881. After a railroad line was built through Bancroft to the south, the community lost momentum, and agricultural difficulties led to its desertion by the end of the 1930s. Today, the community is operated as a tourist attraction, with guided tours and a museum.
Remarks: Chesterfield is a cultural and historical landmark emblematic of the perseverance and determination of its original settlers. The town’s preservation efforts guarantee that its stories and structures remain accessible to future generations, providing a tangible connection to Idaho’s pioneering past.
The LDS Meetinghouse is the most prominent and best-preserved building in Chesterfield. It was built between 1887 and 1892. The original Amusement Hall, erected in 1895 next to the LDS Meetinghouse, was the center for social activities in Chesterfield. It consisted of a large room with a hardwood dance floor and a stage.
Over time, the building was reduced to ruins. The Amusement Hall was restored between 1999 and 2003. LDS members pay tithing to the Church. Few members could pay cash around 1900, so grains, vegetables, eggs, and farm animals were paid “in kind.” The Tithing Office and the Tithing Granary were constructed in 1900.
Grain donations were stored in the Tithing Granary. Members came to the tithing office to pay their tithing, and the goods were dispensed to those in need; the facility acted as a sort of warehouse and general store.
The Nathan Barlow House, built about 1900, was the home of the postmaster and general store owner. After the Panic of 1907 and the harsh winter of 1907-1908, Nathan Barlow lost all his money and moved out of the community.
The home was restored in 2009, with descendants of Nathan Barlow contributing the furnishings. The Ira Call cabin is a saltbox-style home. It contained two polygamous families for a short time. Aunt Ruth Call David’s cabin was built of red pine logs with a dirt floor in 1881 and 1882.
Aunt Ruth was a Native American adopted by Chester Call’s parents in the 1860s. As the town’s midwife, she delivered most of the babies.
