McCall and Payette Lake History
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The old McCall Mill was a prominent feature on
Payette Lake till it was torn down in the 1980's
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The town of McCall was named for Tom McCall, a prominent town leader who arrived in 1891 to homestead. In contrast to the Finnish community at Roseberry, McCall was a rough and unruly place. It was notorious for its lakeside brothels, dance halls and gambling establishments. Harrah’s Casino even had a presence in McCall for a time. The bars were rowdy, loud, and filled with miners and loggers. Firearms were the norm and were not actually outlawed from local bars until the early 1980's
In the beginning, McCall's chief industries were mining and timber. The town sprung up on the shores of Payette Lake as mining and logging grew. There was even a steamboat, Lyda, which sped up the logging process and made McCall a great place for logging and mining companies. The Brown Tie and Lumber Company was at one time the largest employer in the area. Mining and timber remain a treasured part of McCall’s heritage although it is no longer the major economic support.
In its early years, the citizens of McCall created ways to liven up the long winters. Many of these traditions are still honored today. In 1924 local resident and Olympic ski champion Cory Engen, together with a group of volunteers, founded Winter Carnival. They created ice sculptures and organized dog sled races. McCall continues to host Winter Carnival annually and people come from all over the world to admire the beautiful ice sculptures and enjoy McCall.
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