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About Soda Springs
To emigrants on the Oregon Trail, Soda Springs was known as the "Oasis of Soda Springs". It was looked to as a major landmark between Fort Laramie and Fort Boise. In 1863 Soda Springs Post, commonly known as Fort Conner was established by Col. P. Edward Conner, making Soda Springs the second oldest settlement in Idaho. The town has grown to nearly 4,000 inhabitants.
Geothermal activity hundreds of feet below the ground heats water and mixes in carbon dioxide gas. Soda Springs gets it's name from the naturally carbonated water. The resulting increased pressure contributes to the number of springs and was the cause of the surprising geyser that spewed out of the ground on November 30, 1937 as a result of a well-drilling operation. The springs include Octagon Spring, Hooper Spring and Big Spring.
Soda Springs lies in a narrow valley on the Bear River, where it passes through the mountains between Bear Lake Valley and Gem Valley. Prehistoric lava flows have covered the valley floors and show through in numerous places. Formation Cave can be visited just to the northeast of Soda Springs.