History:

Due to the inflow of settlers and the construction of the railroad up river, Orofino's townsite got its start in 1898. The name Oro Fino means "fine gold." It was taken from a gold rush town called "Oro Fino" that was located near Pierce and later burned down. The post office objected to two words. The town joined the two words and it became Orofino. In 1905, the Idaho State Hospital was opened