There were sites along the Salmon River where the early peoples would go, areas where hot springs or 'sweet water' would draw those who were elderly or ill. Also several special groves or ancient trees were considered Big Medicine. Story stones have petroglyphs and petrographs. The original native peoples were driven out by the miners. Some spots still are regarded with awe or superstition. Especially the ancient trees.

In talking with the local folks, the USDA Archeologists and some of the people who had come out to study the area ( University of Chicago, U of BC in Vancouver, and a field study crew from Colorado University) the common thinking related four successive waves of Paleo and First Nations peoples.

Before the Ancient ones - migrations south and east from the Pacific coast- Paleoglyphs and Petroglyphs with some stone tools. Some indications of hunting large herd animals like moose, bears, totems and jewelry. circa pre 6000bce to 1000bce.

Ancient ones- successful and "rich" peoples with basketry of complex and refined patterns, astrological markers and sun circles, stone markers and petroglyphs with Shamans , seasonal markers ( animals, fish, birds), even Kokopelli's indicating trade routes. Circa 1000bce to 1400s - may have been wiped out by the Black Death.

Indigenous people (actually Migrants pushed from the Great Lakes around 1700). Indications of people under stress, living a poor and hard life in conflict with the Cree, Crow and Ute to the south and West. Circa 1650 to 1850ace.

Second Indigenous Peoples, migrations from the Lakota and Dakota displaced Crow, South and east moving Nez Pierce and Northern Plains all compressing into smaller and smaller areas as Industrialization and Western Development through Gold and Silver rushes, Lumber industries, ranching and farming homesteads. The most common theme was from the miners who thought the "Native Indians" were a poor lot, unhealthy, slackards and downright pathetic in most cases. There were few around and the introduction of the Common Cold, measles, small and chicken pox proved more than deadly. Not to mention the habit of Miners shooting them for entertainment and as nuisances. Circa 1850 to 1900s.

There were sites along the Salmon River where the early peoples would go, areas where hot springs or 'sweet water' would draw those who were elderly or ill. Also several special groves or ancient trees were considered Big Medicine. Story stones have petroglyphs and petrographs. The original native peoples were driven out by the miners. Some spots still are regarded with awe or superstition, especially the ancient trees.

In talking with the local folks, the USDA Archeologists and some of the people who had come out to study the area (University of Chicago, U of BC in Vancouver, and a field study crew from Colorado University) the common thinking related four successive waves of Paleo and First Nations peoples.