The town of Gooding was established in 1907 on 160 acres owned by Frank R. Gooding, a former Governor and Senator in Idaho. The original townsite consisted of 160 acres, 80 acres on each side of Main Street beginning at the railroad. Early in September 1907, surveyors were put to work platting the townsite.
The history of Gooding goes back to the time when nothing existed but a railway station called “Toponis”. Toponis was the name given to the Oregon Short Line railway station built during 1882 and 1883. The Toponis post office was built five years later in 1887. Toponis became the Village of Gooding on November 14, 1907, the first day a Gooding lot was sold. The Village of Gooding was incorporated on April 25, 1908. The Village of Gooding became the City of Gooding on November 21, 1910.
The November 9, 1911 issue of the local paper reported an addition had been built to the Fire House and was to be known as City Hall. The addition housed the Mayor’s office and meeting place of the city council.
The City of Gooding with a population of approximately 3564 combines all of the conveniences of a larger city with friendly atmosphere of a small western community with easy access to the conveniences of larger cities, such as Boise and Twin Falls.
Fortunately, perhaps, the growth was steady rather than spectacular, and Gooding County today still has the traditional resources that gave it birth. The Big and Little Wood Rivers remain the basis for a rich irrigated agriculture and a thriving livestock industry.
Cattle and sheep ranching, irrigated and dry farming contribute much to the economy of Gooding, the trading center of one of the richest irrigated agricultural districts in the United States. Gooding is home to several trucking lines.
Gooding boasts an industrial park located along he Union Pacific mainline. The location of the Union Pacific mainline is a strong transportation component and is augmented by easy access to the interstate highway system. The business park offers sites appropriate to both light and heavy industry. The Gooding Airport is city owned, located just a short distance outside the city limits.
Within the city limits, you’ll find a municipal golf course, skate park, a swimming pool, softball diamonds, tennis courts, fairgrounds, city parks, exerise facilities, a bowling alley and library.
Gooding’s mild climate compares favorably with the rest of the state. A four season environment, the weather features a definitive spring, summer, fall and winter. The average high temperature of 76 degrees, average low temperature of 28 degrees and average precipitation of 8.93 inches.
A short drive in any direction will take you to sites for a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Examples include golfing, skiing, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, camping, bowling, horseshoes and summer city recreation programs are all part of the local year round scene.
You can find more information on our Facebook Page – The City of Gooding, Idaho
You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter by contacting the City Office or by emailing Councilman Smith at councilmancolin@gmail.com.
The Gooding City Council meets regularly on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Gooding Municipal Building
Read minutes of the Gooding City Council meetings.