Historic Chesterfield Idaho

06/01/2026

06/01/2026

https://youtu.be/PDswvoIe9TM

Historic Chesterfield

06/01/2026

Did you know?

One of my favorite buildings at Historic Chesterfield is the livery stable because it tells the story of everyday travel before cars. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, this is where travelers and local residents brought horses to be fed, watered, sheltered, harnessed, and sometimes boarded overnight. Wagons and tack were often stored there too.

Today you can still visit the preserved site at Chesterfield Idaho and see the restored livery stable as part of the historic town experience. Chesterfield became one of Idaho’s best-preserved ghost towns. Established 1880. People were in the valley before 1878 but the townsite was started in 1883 when an apostle came to the area to organize a branch of the gentile valley ward and a ward was established in 1884. Chester call came into the valley in 1879.

A few fun details about the Chesterfield livery stable:

* It would have been a busy stop during community events, church gatherings, and travel through Gem Valley.
* Hay was typically stored in an upper loft and dropped down to feed horses. Traditional western livery barns often used a central aisle with stalls along both sides.
* The building you see today has been restored as part of preserving Chesterfield’s historic streetscape.
* During seasonal openings and living-history events, volunteers sometimes interpret how horse travel worked before automobiles.

If you go back, stand in the doorway and imagine arriving by wagon, unhitching the team, hearing horses shifting in their stalls, and then walking over to the brick store or amusement hall—Chesterfield starts to feel alive again.

Here is also a virtual tour if you want to see inside.

https://youtu.be/t1X5-eNnXSY

05/30/2026

Great view of the townsite

05/30/2026

Grab your umbrellas and come visit us at the Mercantile. Open until 6 pm

05/30/2026

$30 each Come buy some. Great recipes and awesome photos. On sale at the Mercantile