More than 100 years ago, Kuna was the hub of the Treasure Valley. Before I-84 was built, the Silver Trail provided a vital transportation link for mining activities between Idaho City and Silver City in the Owyhee Mountains. Fifteen Mile Station, built on the current Kuna town site, served teamsters moving machinery to the mines and stagecoaches traveling from Fort Boise to Winnemucca, Nevada. In later years, Kuna became the railhead camp established during construction of the Oregon Short Line Railroad. With the coming of the railroad in the 1880s, Kuna became the center of commerce for the Treasure Valley.

Even earlier, Native Americans, rock formations, landscapes, and unique flora and fauna gave us many stories and mysteries that we are only uncovering and exploring today. The 485,000-acre Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (BPNCA), established in 1993, is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Recent BPNCA studies indicate that nearly 200,000 visitors travel Idaho 69 (Meridian Road) through Kuna to experience raptors and the scenic Snake River Canyon. With this information and awareness of the area’s offerings, the beginning of a byway was initiated by a small group of Kuna citizens and officials.

Eventually the Western Heritage Foundation (WHF) was established to study a future byway and seek funding. Their work culminated in the state designation of the Western Heritage Historic Byway and funding for a Corridor Management Plan in 2003.

For further information about the byway and its featured sites visit the Idaho Transportation Department's Western Heritage Historic Byway website.