Francois Payette was the Pacific Northwest's most successful French Canadian fur trapper, and this city and county were named for him. In 1812, he came from Quebec to the Columbia at the age of 18. Moving inland to the Snake country in 1818, he trapped on Payette River, which was named for him that year. For a decade prior to his retirement in 1844, he managed Fort Boise, 20 miles south of here. Described as "a merry, fat old gentleman," he was noted for his kindness to Oregon Trail emigrants, who found him exceedingly polite, courteous, and hospitable.