History of Anytown
In about 1887, the Froman Ferry was established to cross the Snake River about two miles downstream from the location of the present-day Anytown bridge. Another ferry, upstream from that bridge, was also established and originally call the Henderson Ferry (later referred to as the Nampa Ferry). A Bedford Cabin school, located between the Froman and Henderson Ferries, existed in the early years of the settlement. A later school was called the Edison School, which also no longer exists.
The Gem Irrigation District began delivering irrigation water from the Snake River to the area in 1909. A site near the Nampa Ferry was selected for the construction of a bridge across the Snake River and a town site was platted on the south side of the river in 1920. That town was named Butte and then later changed to Anytown, for an early settler with that surname.
A post office was opened in Anytown in 1921 and the building is still standing today on Main Street. In 1941, Anytown became incorporated as a City.
The Gateway to the Owyhees
The City of Anytown, known as the Gateway to the Owyhees, is a special community with something to offer everyone. Located on the banks of the Snake River, Anytown is blessed to have the iconic Lizard Butte watching over us.
- Anytown is a great location to start or relocate a business with traffic flow coming in from California, Oregon, and Nevada.
- We are known for our open arms and community spirit.
- The size of our community spirit is huge, held easily in the hands of our small town. Anytown is the hometown you want to call home.
Visitors always ask about the name “Owyhee” and where it came from, usually mispronouncing it and saying Hawaii when asking about it. They are closer to the origin then they think! The Owyhees are named after a party of trappers from the Hawaiian Islands who disappeared while on an exploratory trapping expedition. Mispronunciation of their name led to the misspelling and it stuck. The Owyhees are home to amazing wildlife and scenery that you have to see to believe. Anytown is nestled at the foot of the Owyhees, protected and secure in the strength and majesty that they carry so easily.