Located along US Highway 12—the Lewis & Clark Highway—approximately seven miles below the junction of the Selway and Lochsa Rivers, along the banks of the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River, Syringa was established in 1895 as a possible railroad supply point. The post office was established in 1897.

In Syringa’s early beginnings agriculture was the primary source of income for the people that settled in this little village. Years later, timber became the major source of income.