Murphy, Idaho

Murphy is an unincorporated village in, and county seat of, Owyhee County, Idaho, United States.[1] It is among the smallest of county seats nationwide, with a population as of the 2010 census of 97.[2][3] Murphy is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area. Murphy is also located within the census-designated place bearing its name. Murphy is home to the Owyhee County Historical Museum and Library.

Murphy, Idaho
Census-designated place
The Murphy General Store and Cafe in 2019
Location of Murphy in Owyhee County, Idaho.
Murphy, Idaho
Location within the state of Idaho
Coordinates: 43°13′06″N 116°33′08″W
CountryUnited States
StateIdaho
CountyOwyhee
Area
 • Total3.839 sq mi (9.94 km2)
 • Land3.839 sq mi (9.94 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation
2,820 ft (860 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total97
 • Density25/sq mi (9.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP codes
83650
Area code(s)208, 986
FIPS code16-55720

History

Murphy developed around a railhead of the Boise, Nampa and Owyhee Railroad, built in 1899 by Colonel William H. Dewey. Dewey had planned to extend the railroad to Silver City, but when mining operations in the Owyhee Mountains became unproductive, the line was not continued past Murphy. The railroad operated until 1947.[4]

By a narrow margin, Owyhee County voters selected Murphy as county seat in 1934, succeeding Silver City (which was located in the Owyhee Mountains and had been in decline; it is now defunct).[5] Although the county seat was moved to Murphy after the vote, and a new Owyhee County Courthouse was constructed in 1936, the Idaho State Legislature did not ratify the change of county seat until 1999. The error in the Idaho Code, discovered by county prosecutor G. Edward Yarbrough, was finally corrected by Senate Bill 1009.[6]

The community likely was named after Cornelius "Con" Murphy, a crew boss with the Boise, Nampa and Owyhee Railroad and foreman during construction of the Guffey Bridge in 1897.[4] Another source for the name may have been Pat Murphy, a Silver City mining engineer and friend of railroad owner Dewey.[7]

View looking northwest from Murphy airport toward Route 78

Geography

Murphy is located at 43°13′06″N 116°33′08″W,[8] at an elevation of 2,820 feet (860 m) above sea level; it is 25 miles (40 km) south of Nampa.

Airstrip

Murphy's airstrip is situated immediately northeast of the community, without a control tower. Its 2,500-foot (760 m) asphalt runway is oriented NW-SE (12/30),[9] parallel with State Highway 78. The elevation drops 60 feet (18 m) in the northwest (30) direction, from 2,855 to 2,795 feet.

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
190080—
191010227.5%
192015047.1%
193075−50.0%
195050—
1960500.0%
1970100100.0%
198015050.0%
19901500.0%
201097—
source:[10][3]

References
  1. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  2. "U.S. Census website". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  3. Spokesman-Review Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine - 2010 census - Murphy, Idaho - accessed 2011-12-12
  4. Sandra Forester (September 6, 2007). "Idaho's largest artifact turns 110". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho.
  5. Walt Schramm (January 24, 1960). "Town of Murphy, Owyhee County Seat, Rates High as One of Most Unusual in Entire Country". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. p. 26.
  6. Tim Woodward (January 25, 1999). "65 Years in Wrong Town". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho.
  7. Lalia Boone (1988). Idaho Place Names. University of Idaho Press. p. 265.
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. AirNav.com - airport information - Murphy, Idaho - accessed 2011-12-12
  10. Moffatt, Riley. Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850-1990. Lanham: Scarecrow, 1996, 96.
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