Also according to Nez Perce tradition, the Appaloosa horse was first bred in the area.

On their return trip east, the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped in the Kamiah area for several weeks during the spring of 1806, waiting for snows to melt.

[6][7] Kamiah is the character name of the Nez Perce/Blackfoot woman in Across the Wide Missouri, a 1951 'mountain men' film set in the 1830s.

Hohots Ilppilp was the leader around Kamiah from at least the time of Lewis and Clark until the 1840s.

When the first leader for all the Nez Perce was appointed, it was Hohots Ilppilp's grandson Ellis who lived in this area and maintained large herds of sheep, cattle and over a thousand horses.

[14] The city is located at the confluence of Lawyer Creek and the Clearwater River on the left bank of the latter.

U.S. Route 12 passes through Kamiah, crossing from the right to left bank of the Clearwater at the city.

The two streams cut deep and narrow valleys through the otherwise relatively flat, rolling Camas Prairie region that surrounds Kamiah.

38.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[20][21] After nearly two years, the mill was sold and restarted in August 2010 as Blue North Forest Products.