Soda Springs is a city in Caribou County, Idaho, United States, with a total area of 4.6 square miles. The city is named for the thousands of natural springs of carbonated water that are located in and around the city. The springs were well known to Native Americans and were a famous landmark along the Oregon Trail in the middle 19th century. Today the city is also known as the location of the Soda Springs Geyser, a man-made carbon dioxide generated cold water geyser.

Ground Observer Corps - Skywatch Post 1956-1959

The task assigned to the State of Idaho was to establish a screen of observers distributed at approximately 10 or more miles apart who were thoroughly trained in their duties, to prevent an enemy aircraft passing over the State undetected. The State's responsibility to the Air Force was to have the post in operation at all times.

The observers were trained volunteers consisting of an Observations Post Supervisor, a Chief Observer and 20 to 30 Ground Observers trained in spotting and reporting aircraft. An Observation Post had to be equipped with a commercial telephone within 15 seconds walking distance of the observer on duty. 28 people were required to be registered at each post. Two people were on duty at each post with a shift of two hours.

warning sign about Red Bombers

President Eisenhower encouraged Americans
to join the Ground Observer Corps

Soda Springs Geyser is a group of thousands of natural carbonated springs in the area of Soda Springs, Idaho. The springs were a landmark on the Oregon Trail. Soda Springs has the only captive geyser in the world. It was discovered in an attempt to find a hot water source for a swimming pool. On November 30, 1937, the drill went down 315 feet and unleashed the geyser. The extreme pressure is caused by carbon dioxide gas mixing with water in an underground chamber. It is now capped and controlled by a timer. It erupts every hour on the hour. The geyser reaches heights of 100 feet year round.

Below: Warning signs not to park car too close to the geyser, and to approach geyser at your own risk.

Below: After walking past a second warning sign to approach the geyser at our own risk, the two RV Gypsies got their first look at Soda Springs Geyser.

Below: The Observation Deck for the geyser

Below: Soda Springs Geyser in Idaho

Below: View from the Observation Deck

Below: View of Soda Springs Geyser from the path beside the Geyser.

Below: Different close-up views of the edges of the geyser.

Below: The two RV Gypsies walked alongside the geyser to the bridge and enjoyed the view from each side of the bridge.

Below: The geyser erupts every hour on the hour. The geyser reaches heights of 100 feet year round.