Iona, Idaho

Iona was founded by Mormon pioneers in 1884. When the pioneers first arrived, the entire area was covered with thick sagebrush that needed to be cleared before they could do anything. Then they realized how short the growing season is... Many wanted to leave immediately but Mormon apostle Wilford Woodruff spoke to them all in July of 1884 and urged them to persevere. He spoke of a vision of fine homes, great agricultural fields, schools, colleges, churches, meetinghouses and temples, giving the area an aura of spiritual majesty and a future of tremendous potential. Today, Iona is a small city quite famous for the quality of the locally grown potatoes. Iona is also a bedroom community for Idaho Falls, one of the fastest growing metro areas in Idaho.