This entry in our For Namesake Blog is about Moscow, Idaho. Moscow, Idaho is one of 6 Moscow's in the United states from the book For Namesake, a travel book - Places in America inspired by famous World Cities. [1]

Moscow, Idaho (46.732298, -116.999936)

Moscow, Idaho is a city of 23,800 located in Latah County along US Route 95 and Idaho Route 8. Moscow is the county seat of Latah County and is situated along the Idaho/Washington border 20 miles north of Lewiston. The city serves as the commercial hub of the Palouse region. Moscow is home to New Saint Andrews College, the University of Idaho and the University of Idaho Law School. The University of Idaho is a land grant institution. Eight miles west is another land grant college, Washington State University, in Pullman.

Settlers arrived in the Palouse region of Idaho in 1871 and established the town that would become Moscow. The original name for the community was Paradise Valley In 1875 the town’s first store was opened on Main Street. In 1877, Samuel Neff filed for a postal permit, using the name of Moscow because it reminded him of his hometown of Moscow, Pennsylvania. The city began to grow with the arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1885. The city was incorporated as Moscow in 1887. Idaho achieved statehood in 1890. The University of Idaho opened its doors in 1892. England’s electronic rock group, The Cassandra Complex, made the city famous with their song Moscow, Idaho when it was released in1985. _[2]

There is much to see and do in Moscow and the surrounding area. In Moscow you may visit the Appaloosa Museum, Camas Prairie Winery, Hamilton-Lowe Aquatic Center, Idaho Forest Fire Museum, Idaho Repertory Theater, Kenworthy Performing Arts Center, Latah County Historical Museum, Mary Jane’s Organic Farm, McConnell Mansion Museum, Moscow-Elk River Snowmobile Trails, Moscow Farmers Market,, Palouse Ice Rink, Palouse Recreation Trails and the University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Garden. Clarkston, Washington has the Asotin County Aquatic Center, Basalt Cellars Winery, Buffalo Eddy Petroglyphs, Iris Test Garden, Kiwi Helicopter Tours, Lewis and Clark Timeline, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Lower Granite Dam and the Valley Arts Center. Lewiston offers the Clearwater Canyon Winery, Clearwater River Casino, Garden Creek Ranch Conservation Area, Historic Sheep creek Ranch, Lewis-Clark Center for Arts & History, Lewiston Civic Theater, Lewiston Levees Parkway and the Nez Perce County Historical Society Museum. Pullman, Washington has the Cougar Gold Cheese Factory, Ferdinand’s Ice Cream, Palouse Discovery Science Center, Palouse Scenic Byway, Pullman Civic Theater and the Washington State University Theater.

South of Moscow at the Emerald Creek Garnet Area you may hunt for your own gems. There are two large lakes in the Moscow area; Dworshak Reservoir in Idaho and Lower Granite Lake on the Snake River Canyon in Washington. The Nez Perce National Historic Park is east of Lewiston. Idaho State parks in the area include Dworshak State Park, Hells Gate State Park Heyburn State Park and Winchester Lake State Park. Steptoe Butte State Park is in Washington, north of Pullman.

Notable residents from Moscow include Carol Ryrie Brink, author; Philip Habib, diplomat & peace envoy; and Josh Ritter, singer and songwriter.

Notes:

1. http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK

2. https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/about-moscow/history

Picture credit: Welcome sign at Moscow, Idaho (Wikimedia Commons - Robbie Love Giles© CC-BY-SA)