After settlers arrived in 1871, the town became known as “Paradise Valley.”  In 1877, Samuel Neff filed for a postal permit under the name of Moscow because the area reminded him of his hometown of Moscow, Pennsylvania.  In 1875, the city’s first store was opened on what is now Main Street.  Moscow grew with the arrival of the railroad in 1885.  The town became incorporated in 1887 and was later chosen as the site for a land-grant institution, the University of Idaho.  Idaho achieved statehood in 1890. 

Pictured: Main Street in downtown Moscow, with the Kenworthy and Nuart Theatres in the background.

Pictured: One of the main attractions of Moscow’s gala Fourth of July celebrations was the race to determine who was the town’s fastest fat man.  This race down Main Street took place on July 4, 1911.