thumb|left|Taylor's Bridge, c. 1870 The present-day site of Idaho Falls became a permanent settlement when freighter Matt Taylor built a timber-frame toll bridge across a narrow black basaltic gorge of the river downstream from the ferry. The bridge improved travel for settlers moving north and west, and for miners, freighters, and others seeking riches in the gold fields of Idaho and Montana especially the boom towns of Bannack and Virginia City.
thumb|left|Taylor's Bridge, c. 1870 The present-day site of Idaho Falls became a permanent settlement when freighter Matt Taylor built a timber-frame toll bridge across a narrow black basaltic gorge of the river downstream from the ferry. The bridge improved travel for settlers moving north and west, and f?or miners, freighters, and others seeking riches in the gold fields of Idaho and Montana especially the boom towns of Bannack and Virginia City.