This beautiful valley we call Colfax was first inhabited in July, 1870 when James A. Perkins and Thomas J. Smith claimed the land at the confluence of the north and south branches of the Palouse River. When H.S. Hollingsworth came the next year, the demand for lumber had become so great the two men with Anderson Cox built the first saw mill and thus began the development of Colfax and the surrounding area.

The early years of Colfax’s growth saw many businesses and buildings start up. Schools, seven churches, the Courthouse, St. Ignatius Hospital and many homes were part of the pre-1900 development.

Fires and floods were problems in the early years, but the citizens of Colfax always rebounded and rebuilt -- going from wooden structures to brick and steel.

The early settlers didn’t think our hills were good for growing anything. But they soon learned that the soil in our valleys and hilltops could grow wheat in abundance. As Colfax and our surrounding area continued to grow, agriculture became our leading industry and has continued so for 125 years.

The population of Colfax at the turn of the 20th century was 2,200 and has remained about 3,000 ever since.