Benewah County

Background

Established January 23, 1915, with its county seat at St. Maries, by an act of the state legislature from the southern part of Kootenai County. Named for a Coeur d'Alene Indian chief. Some settlement began after the completion of the Mullan Road in 1860, but most settlers came to the area after the discovery of gold near St. Maries in 1880.

County Seat: Council

County Seat: St. Maries