Weiser, Idaho

File:Washington County Courthouse, Weiser.jpg]]

The city was named after the nearby Weiser River, but exactly who that was named for is not precisely known. In one version it is for Peter M. Weiser, a soldier and member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804–1806. Another has it for Jacob Weiser, a trapper-turned-miner who struck it rich in Baboon Gulch in the Florence Basin of Idaho in 1861.

William Logan and his wife Nancy were the first white settlers in the vicinity of Weiser in 1863 building a roadhouse in anticipation of the opening of Olds Ferry west of them on the Snake River across from Farewell Bend. In 1863, Reuben Olds acquired a franchise from the Territorial Legislature and began operating Olds Ferry.{{cite web|url=http://www.patroloff.com/history.htm|title= Judge Frank Harris, THE HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, Weiser Signal-American, Weiser, 194?. Chapter 11|website=patroloff.com|access-date=13 January 2018}} Olds ferry business did well (as did Logan's) as it diverted much of the traffic from the old Snake River crossing point at Old Fort Boise. Increasing settlement on the Weiser River valley increased Weiser's population. A post office was established in 1866 as Weiser Ranch. In 1871, it was renamed Weiser.{{cite web|url=http://washington.idgenweb.org/postoffices.htm|title=Washington County Post Offices|website=washington.idgenweb.org|access-date=13 January 2018}}

Weiser reached its height of prosperity when a railroad way station was established and it became a transportation hub for travelers. Its history is well represented by the great number of original buildings from the 1890s and early 1900s that are on the National Register of Historic Places.

During the 1890s, the city had pretensions of becoming a major regional market and transportation center. The Idaho Northern Railroad was built up the Weiser River with the intention of reaching Lewiston and river transportation to the ocean. The dream ended among the lumber mills of central Idaho almost at the community of Meadows... not needing to actually go past the stock loading and lumber ponds outside the village, the terminus station was built there and a new city, New Meadows, came into being. Likewise the Union Pacific, after taking over the Oregon Short Line chose not to locate its major section yards in the flats west of Weiser—probably due to inflated prices asked by land speculators—and built at Huntington, Oregon at the western edge of the Snake River valley.

Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson played semi-pro baseball for the Weiser Kids as a young man in 1906–1907. After high school in Fullerton, California, the "Big Train" was lured to Weiser to play baseball and work for the local telephone company. While in Weiser, he once pitched 84 consecutive scoreless innings. His skills drew the attention of the Washington Nationals, who sent scout Cliff Blankenship to offer Johnson a contract, and in July 1907 he departed Idaho for the major leagues at age nineteen.[https://books.google.com/books?id=0ca-EYo-gY0C&pg=PA1&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=0_0 Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train], pages 17-32, by Henry W. Thomas, Published by U of Nebraska Press, 1998. On Google Books

U.S. Route 95 runs through the city, connecting to Oregon and British Columbia.

Weiser bills itself as the "Fiddling Capital of the World" and the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest has been held each year since 1953. Fiddling contests have been held in Weiser since 1914, but the present festival was the idea of Blaine Stubblefield, a fiddler and folk music collector, and the head of the city's chamber of commerce.{{cite web | url = http://www.fiddlecontest.com/History.php | title = History of Fiddling, Fiddle Contests and the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest | publisher = National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest & Festival, Weiser, Idaho | access-date = 2010-05-18 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100806154829/http://www.fiddlecontest.com/History.php | archive-date = 2010-08-06 }} The festival is held at the beginning of summer, during the third full week in June, the only exception occurring during leap years when it is held on the 4th week of the month. It draws national media coverage and over 7,000 people to the Weiser area.

The city has been consistently served by the Weiser Signal-American, the local weekly newspaper.

For many years Weiser's location as the last city upriver from Hells Canyon made it the jump-off point for wilderness tours by powered rubber raft down the gorge. Enormous sturgeon and plentiful salmon were a draw for anglers. The salmon runs ended not long after the float tours with the blocking of the river by three hydro-power dams built by Idaho Power Company starting in the 1950s.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|3.38|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all of it land.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2012-12-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}

Unincorporated Annex, Oregon, sits across the Snake River.

Weiser experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with cold winters and hot, dry summers.

{{Weather box

|location = Weiser, Idaho, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1911–2012

|single line = Yes

|collapsed = yes

|Jan record high F = 65

|Feb record high F = 67

|Mar record high F = 83

|Apr record high F = 93

|May record high F = 104

|Jun record high F = 110

|Jul record high F = 115

|Aug record high F = 110

|Sep record high F = 107

|Oct record high F = 97

|Nov record high F = 73

|Dec record high F = 64

|Jan avg record high F = 47.2

|Feb avg record high F = 55.1

|Mar avg record high F = 70.1

|Apr avg record high F = 80.3

|May avg record high F = 91.6

|Jun avg record high F = 97.9

|Jul avg record high F = 103.3

|Aug avg record high F = 101.5

|Sep avg record high F = 93.5

|Oct avg record high F = 81.3

|Nov avg record high F = 62.4

|Dec avg record high F = 50.2

|year avg record high F = 104.5

|Jan high F = 36.2

|Feb high F = 44.4

|Mar high F = 56.7

|Apr high F = 64.3

|May high F = 74.4

|Jun high F = 83.5

|Jul high F = 94.5

|Aug high F = 91.8

|Sep high F = 80.8

|Oct high F = 65.1

|Nov high F = 48.0

|Dec high F = 36.8

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 29.4

|Feb mean F = 35.3

|Mar mean F = 44.8

|Apr mean F = 51.4

|May mean F = 60.6

|Jun mean F = 68.5

|Jul mean F = 77.8

|Aug mean F = 75.4

|Sep mean F = 64.9

|Oct mean F = 51.3

|Nov mean F = 38.2

|Dec mean F = 29.7

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 22.5

|Feb low F = 26.3

|Mar low F = 32.9

|Apr low F = 38.5

|May low F = 46.8

|Jun low F = 53.4

|Jul low F = 61.1

|Aug low F = 59.0

|Sep low F = 49.0

|Oct low F = 37.6

|Nov low F = 28.5

|Dec low F = 22.5

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 2.7

|Feb avg record low F = 7.7

|Mar avg record low F = 20.1

|Apr avg record low F = 25.9

|May avg record low F = 30.7

|Jun avg record low F = 39.3

|Jul avg record low F = 47.0

|Aug avg record low F = 46.2

|Sep avg record low F = 33.5

|Oct avg record low F = 23.0

|Nov avg record low F = 15.1

|Dec avg record low F = 4.8

|year avg record low F = -2.9

|Jan record low F = -27

|Feb record low F = -29

|Mar record low F = 0

|Apr record low F = 16

|May record low F = 22

|Jun record low F = 23

|Jul record low F = 34

|Aug record low F = 32

|Sep record low F = 16

|Oct record low F = 11

|Nov record low F = -13

|Dec record low F = -28

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.96

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.34

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.22

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.07

|May precipitation inch = 1.29

|Jun precipitation inch = 1.04

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.35

|Aug precipitation inch = 0.26

|Sep precipitation inch = 0.40

|Oct precipitation inch = 0.83

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.32

|Dec precipitation inch = 2.37

|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 11.0

|Feb precipitation days = 9.4

|Mar precipitation days = 10.2

|Apr precipitation days = 9.6

|May precipitation days = 7.6

|Jun precipitation days = 6.8

|Jul precipitation days = 2.6

|Aug precipitation days = 2.5

|Sep precipitation days = 2.7

|Oct precipitation days = 5.1

|Nov precipitation days = 10.6

|Dec precipitation days = 12.1

|Jan snow inch = 6.9

|Feb snow inch = 2.4

|Mar snow inch = 0.4

|Apr snow inch = trace

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.0

|Nov snow inch = 0.9

|Dec snow inch = 9.1

|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 4.5

|Feb snow days = 2.0

|Mar snow days = 0.5

|Apr snow days = 0.0

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.0

|Nov snow days = 0.9

|Dec snow days = 4.5

|source 1 = NOAA (snow/snow days 1981–2010)

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00109638&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Weiser, ID (1991–2020)

|access-date = May 28, 2023

}}

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USC00109638&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Weiser, ID (1981–2010)

|access-date = May 28, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 1981–2010)

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=boi

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Boise

|access-date = May 28, 2023

}}

}}

{{Asof|2018}} employment at the hospital and school system includes jobs which have university education as a prerequisite, but not many other jobs in Weiser have that requirement.{{cite news|last=Richert|first=Kevin|title=Idaho's rural students look to move on|newspaper=Times-News|place=Twin Falls, Idaho|agency=IdahoEdNews.org|date=2018-12-07|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/143118777/ A1], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/143118796/ A8]|via=Newspapers.com}}

{{US Census population

|1890= 901

|1900= 1364

|1910= 2600

|1920= 3154

|1930= 2724

|1940= 3663

|1950= 3961

|1960= 4208

|1970= 4108

|1980= 4771

|1990= 4571

|2000= 5343

|2010= 5507

|estyear=2019

|estimate=5376

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,630 people, 2,101 households, and 1,349 families residing in the city.

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-12-18}} of 2010, there were 5,507 people, 2,158 households, and 1,396 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1629.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,355 housing units at an average density of {{convert|696.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 80.8% White, 0.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 14.3% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.1% of the population.

There were 2,158 households, of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.3% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the city was 38.7 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.7% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 18.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 5,343 people, 2,018 households, and 1,368 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,280.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,207 housing units at an average density of {{convert|942.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 81.13% White, 0.07% African American, 0.80% Native American, 1.20% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 13.92% from other races, and 2.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.91% of the population.

There were 2,018 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 28.3% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,880, and the median income for a family was $31,996. Males had a median income of $26,643 versus $16,386 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,986. About 12.6% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

It is in the Weiser School District 431.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st16_id/schooldistrict_maps/c16087_washington/DC20SD_C16087.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Washington County, ID|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-03-10}} The Weiser school district consists of Pioneer Elementary School, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades , Park Intermediate School, 4th and 5th grade, Weiser Middle School, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, and Weiser High School, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

The first school in Weiser was established in 1867, and the first school building was built in 1882. A dedicated building for the high school opened in 1904. During or after the 1890s Weiser Academy a.k.a. Intermountain Institute, a {{convert|750|acre|ha|adj=on}} boarding school, was established by a preacher named Edward Paddock. The National Youth Administration (NYA) took a part of the boarding school facility in the 1930s after Paddock experienced old age and ill health. In 1948 the whole boarding school property was given to the high school.{{cite news|title=Weiser High School Nears Centennial; Records Yield Colorful Campus Story|newspaper=The Idaho Statesman|place=Boise, Idaho|date=1963-08-31|page=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/143122441/ 7]}}

Washington County is in the area (but not the taxing region) of the College of Western Idaho, which has its main campus in Nampa.{{cite web|url=https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/budget/committee/jfac/2022/C3.Wednesday,%20January%2026/03.College%20of%20Western%20Idaho.pdf|title=College of Western Idaho, pg. 1-77|publisher=Idaho Legislature|date=2022-01-26|access-date=2024-03-12}} - See the map. Also see area 3 in: {{cite web|url=https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH21/SECT33-2101/|title=TITLE 33 EDUCATION CHAPTER 21 JUNIOR COLLEGES|publisher=Idaho Legislature|access-date=2024-03-12}}

• Roger Batzel, Director (1971–1988) of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• George Donart, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator in 1946
• Walter Johnson, Hall of Fame Baseball player
• Bob Martyn, baseball player
• M. C. Richards, poet, potter, educator
• Harold Ryan – U.S. District Judge – District of Idaho (1981–1995)
• Kevin Sharp, country singer
• Jane Slocum, educator, lecturer
• Blaine Stubblefield, country singer, poet
• Herman Welker, U.S. Senator from Idaho (1951–57)
• Tim Wrightman, Super Bowl XX Champion as a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears

{{reflist|2}}

• Conley, Cort. Idaho for the Curious. Cambridge: Backeddy, 1982, 552–564.
• {{Cite journal

| last = Oregon Shortline Railroad

| title = Weiser (Idaho)-Description and Travel

| place = Salt Lake City

| publisher = The Railroad

| url = https://archive.org/details/weiseridaho00oregrich}}

• [http://www.fiddlecontest.com/ National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest and Festival]
• [http://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=44.28905&lon=-117.21129&datum=nad83&zoom=8&map=auto&coord=d&mode=zoomin&size=m TopoQuest: USGS Map Name: Olds Ferry, ID, Olds Ferry (site), Idaho]

{{Washington County, Idaho}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Washington County, Idaho

Category:Cities in Idaho

Category:County seats in Idaho