Arco

Arco sits along the Big Lost River at 1,623 meters elevation and serves as a gateway between the Snake River Plain and Lost River Range. The town spreads across relatively flat terrain with mountains nearby.

The community started in 1862 as a trading post founded by rancher Louis Arco and later grew into an important regional center. These beginnings shaped its role in Idaho's economic history.

Number Hill displays graduation years painted by local students since 1920, showing how generations have left their mark on this small community. The tradition keeps the connection between young and old alive in the town.

The Idaho National Laboratory east of the town provides employment opportunities and makes the region economically active. Visitors find a small community with solid infrastructure and services.

On July 17, 1955, the town became the first place in the world to receive all its electrical power from nuclear energy. This milestone remains a defining moment in its identity.

Location: Butte County

Elevation above the sea: 1,623 m

GPS coordinates: 43.63444,-113.30111

Latest update: December 20, 2025 02:05