When E.D. Pierce came into this area of the Nez Perce Reservation looking for gold in 1860, it was part of Washington Territory. The first few mining records in 1861 at the Clearwater Historical Museum show that they were recorded in Washington Territory in the County of Spokan (with no 'e').

A few months later, the records show the new Shoshone County was formed due to the influx of people. Records still showed Washington Territory, but with the new Shoshone County.

Idaho Territory was formed in 1863, so records after that show Idaho Territory, County of Shoshone. People in this area of Shoshone County began in 1903 to petition for a new county because of the difficulty in traveling to the county seat, among other reasons. In 1904, it was annexed into Nez Perce County. Clearwater County was established in 1911.

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