Benewah County

City/County Offices
610 Main Ave
St. Maries 208-245-2239
http://www.stmariesid.com/

Chamber of Commerce
538 Main Ave
St. Maries 208-245-3563
https://stmarieschamber.org/

Benewah is located in the northwest part of Idaho. It is a primarily rural county with a small population of just under 10,000 residents. The county seat and largest city is St. Maries, which has some area inside the Coeur d’Alene Reservation. The largest city entirely within the reservation is Plummer, with a population of about 1,000.

Lifestyle
Benewah County is an area where the lakes, mountains and beautiful summer weather have made it one of the most famous summer playgrounds and resort destinations in the Pacific Northwest. It’s also home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, deer, elk, bear and several bird species. The local economy is driven by the timber industry complemented by some mining operations and a solid base of farming. Four seasons, fresh air, clean water and uncrowded – this is the magnet that drew our forefathers and might now be drawing you. St. Maries is the center of this area, surrounded by lakes and rivers and towering forests, and bordered by the fertile Palouse farming area. The area features low taxes, first-rate medical facilities, and some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities in America. Recreational offerings run from leisurely walks along the tranquil waters of the St. Joe River, nature walks at Heyburn Park, hiking the challenging Marble Creek Trails to family bicycle rides along the Hiawatha Rail Trail. There’s summer fishing and fall hunting – one of America’s largest elk herd resides nearby. Add to this the hundreds of miles of accessible groomed snow mobile trails and you have a full year.

Services
Quality educational opportunities are available in and near the County, underlined by excellent public-school districts and options for select private and parochial schools The St. Maries school district serves the majority of the communities in the county. The school district uses nationally recognized programs and detailed planning to ensure the highest education possible for students. For those seeking higher education, there are a number of online opportunities available from state and regional colleges and universities for students of all ages. There is also a University of Idaho Extension Program locally and on University of Idaho Extension Reservation Program.

St. Maries and the Benewah County area have an excellent rural health care system. At St. Maries Family Medicine, residency trained/board Certified Family Practice, Surgery and Obstetrics specialists (as well as a variety of visiting sub-specialists) provide a wealth of expertise and care. In Plummer, Benewah Medical Center and its physicians provide excellent primary care services to area residents.

Communities

St. Maries
City/County Offices
610 Main Ave
St. Maries 208-245-2239
http://www.stmariesid.com/

Chamber of Commerce
538 Main Ave
St. Maries 208-245-3563
https://stmarieschamber.org/

St. Maries is the county seat of Benewah County and has a population of about 2800. The local economy is driven by the timber industry complemented by some mining operations and a solid base of farming. The remarkable beauty of the area combined with the exceptional quality of life has spawned a considerable retirement community in the area. St. Maries is nestled in the beautiful St. Joe Valley where the St. Joe and the St. Maries Rivers meet. Locals call St. Maries the gateway to the “Joe” and the St. Joe portion of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Visitors enjoy the historic Hughes House Museum and Visitor Center for a glimpse into the past and to learn more about the logging town’s colorful history. St. Maries is a hub for many recreational activities, including St. Maries Golf Club, a nine-hole golf course located just one mile east of town. Also, the city is a great place to cross country ski. St. Maries offers camping, lodging, small specialty shops as well as a variety of restaurants for the shopper or sportsman.

The scenic St. Joe River flows along the northern edge of St. Maries. The river is easily accessed on Aqua Drive at which runs from the northern end of Tenth Street along the river to Sate Three. There visitors will find public access to swimming areas, picnic tables, and a public boat launch. The Logger’s Memorial Park at the corner of Main Avenue and Fourth Street in St. Maries is a tribute the loggers who were killed while working in the area forests. The park features five large split cedar logs, erected vertically as the center of the memorial. The names of more than 250 victims are inscribed on bronze plaques mounted on the logs. St. Maries boasts four popular city parks: Aqua, Vic Camm, Central Park and Mullan Trail. Aqua Park gives ample public access to the St. Joe River. Central Park is the core of many community events and the location of a swimming pool, picnic facilities, a playground, basketball and tennis courts, softball fields, a dirt track and a soccer field. The community enjoys a quiet pace of rural life. Annual events resemble those of a time gone by where neighbors come together and enjoy a tight spirit of community.