Teakean, Idaho — Agricultural Pocket in Timber Country

Teakean lies in western Clearwater County where open fields interrupt country better known for forest and steep river valleys.

Farms and ranches used upland ground for grain, hay and livestock.

Households spread across the landscape, making schools, roads and gathering places more important than a dense business district.

Forest remained close enough that farming could coexist with logging and seasonal timber work.

Teakean never needed to become a large town.

Its distinctive feature is the opening itself: cultivated ground appearing where travelers might expect continuous trees.

Clearwater County changes character quickly once the road climbs.