The City of New Plymouth has an unusual History, being a Colony Town and planned in Chicago, Il., before it was settled. 

The city was founded by the New Plymouth Society of Chicago.  In Chicago was public spirited man… Mr. William E. Smyth.  He was the chairman of the executive committee of the National Irrigation Congress and a famous irrigation promoter.  Mr. Smyth was determined to found a colony to serve as a striking argument in favor of his project – irrigation.

Traveling and speaking through the East, he urged people to go West in colonies and develop the country with the help of irrigation.  He wanted the first colony to be called New Plymouth and wanted it located in southwestern Idaho in Payette valley.  Upon his examination, he found Payette valley adapted for his purpose because of the extraordinary water supply.  The selected site, consisting of 325 acres, was part of the land granted to New Plymouth Farm Colony, Ltd., in the original patent issued to William J. Shawhan under the Desert Land Act of 1877.  The colony was incorporated in 1896 with a capitalization of $60,442.00.  Each colonist purchased 20 shares of stock at $30 per share which entitled him to 20 acres of land and a town lot.  It was known as New Plymouth Farm Village.  In 1908 it was incorporated as a village and officially became New Plymouth, Idaho.  City status was achieved in 1948.  The town itself, the only one in the United States, is shaped in a double horseshoe shape with symmetrically curved street, bordered with an 80-foot park (boulevard) around the horseshoe (totaling 11 acres).  The northern end of the horseshoe is open to the railroad and river.

Agriculture
New Plymouth is a diversified farming area.  Fruit production is a major industry.  Several crops are grown: hay, sweet corn, onions, potatoes and sugar beets.  Mint and seed crops are also grown.  Other industries are dairying; and beef, sheep, and hog production.

Irrigation
Located at the hub of the rich irrigated Payette River Valley, New Plymouth farmlands have a dependable irrigation water supply from the dams on the Payette River.  Farmers Irrigation, Black Canyon Irrigation, and the Noble Canal Company are the distributing sources. 

Climate
Sunny and moderate is the best description of the climate.  Records show an average of 270 sunny days a year with a rainfall of about nine inches annually.  Farmers can count on a minimum of 180 frost free days each growing season.  Summer days are warm, but not many highs exceed 100 degrees and the nights are cool.  In winter it is unusual for the temperature to drop to zero. 

Industrial Opportunities
Commercial industrial plant sites are available in or near the city with good access to the interstate, state highways, and the railroad.  Low utility fees as well as a diversified and skilled workforce, make the area a great place to locate a business.