James Madison Taylor
Encyclopedia
James Madison Taylor, better known as Matt Taylor, was an early settler of southeastern Idaho. He built a toll bridge over the Snake River
at Black Rock Canyon. Idaho Falls
was eventually established at the site of this bridge. The original bridge no longer stands, but a replica (erected by the Rotary Club
) was dedicated in 1996.
Matt Taylor served in the Territorial Legislature in 1868. He left the area for Missouri in 1886.
Matt Taylor, a freighter by trade, frequently camped along Black Rock Canyon on his way to the Eagle Rock Ferry. The gorge was narrow, which made the river flow faster, which in turn meant this campsite had fewer mosquito
s.
One evening he measured the canyon by throwing a stone tied to a string, and learned that the canyon was 83 feet (25.3 m) wide. He later found suitably straight timber in Beaver Canyon, 80 miles (128.7 km) away. These timbers, along with scrap iron from old wagons and a Missouri River steamboat, became the raw materials needed to build the bridge.
In 1864 he found two business partners and formed the Oneida Road, Bridge and Ferry Company, the first corporation formed in what would become Bonneville County. This corporation bought out the ferry, and in the fall of that year built a stage station. This included a blacksmith shop, employee housing, a barn, and a store. Construction of the bridge went on during the winter, because it was easier to build the bridge when the river was frozen. It was operational by May 1865.
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
at Black Rock Canyon. Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Idaho Falls is a city in and the county seat of Bonneville County, Idaho, United States, and the largest city in Eastern Idaho. As of the 2010 census, the population of Idaho Falls was 56,813, with a metro population of 130,374....
was eventually established at the site of this bridge. The original bridge no longer stands, but a replica (erected by the Rotary Club
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
) was dedicated in 1996.
Matt Taylor served in the Territorial Legislature in 1868. He left the area for Missouri in 1886.
The Taylor Toll Bridge
Mosquito
Mosquitoes are members of a family of nematocerid flies: the Culicidae . The word Mosquito is from the Spanish and Portuguese for little fly...
s.
One evening he measured the canyon by throwing a stone tied to a string, and learned that the canyon was 83 feet (25.3 m) wide. He later found suitably straight timber in Beaver Canyon, 80 miles (128.7 km) away. These timbers, along with scrap iron from old wagons and a Missouri River steamboat, became the raw materials needed to build the bridge.
In 1864 he found two business partners and formed the Oneida Road, Bridge and Ferry Company, the first corporation formed in what would become Bonneville County. This corporation bought out the ferry, and in the fall of that year built a stage station. This included a blacksmith shop, employee housing, a barn, and a store. Construction of the bridge went on during the winter, because it was easier to build the bridge when the river was frozen. It was operational by May 1865.