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Known widely for its potato production, Idaho, established 152 years ago with a population of 1.6 million, has grown into one of the nation's leading agricultural states. However, its appeal extends far beyond farming. Discover 25 fascinating facts that highlight the state's diverse attractions beyond its famous tubers.
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1. Originally, Idaho was shaped like a perfect rectangle. Upon its designation as a territory by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, it encompassed Montana and the majority of Wyoming. However, the harsh winters and vast distances posed significant challenges for travel and governance. The territory's shape changed in 1868 when Wyoming separated, leaving Idaho with its current distinctive borders.
2. Boise became the capital due to logistical challenges. Lawmakers, frustrated by the arduous journey to Lewiston, decided in 1864 to relocate the capital to Boise for easier access.
3. Latah County, established in 1888, holds the unique distinction of being the only U.S. county formed through an act of Congress. This decision aimed to address the concerns of Northern Idaho residents who had previously sought to join Washington.
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4. In 1891, Idaho held a competition to design its official seal. Emma Edwards from Boise City won, making her the first woman to design a state seal in the U.S. (She also received $100.) The seal was updated in 1957 (above) to better represent the state's agricultural, mining, and forestry industries.
5. The peaceful farmer stereotype didn’t always hold true in Idaho. Conflicts between sheep herders and cattle ranchers over land and water resources escalated in 1896, leading to the murder of two sheep farmers. “Diamondfield” Jack Davis was convicted but later pardoned after others confessed to the crimes.
6. In the same year, the Montpelier Bank gained notoriety after being robbed by the infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy. He made off with more than $7000, reportedly to fund the legal defense of a friend facing murder charges. Despite an extensive manhunt lasting over a week, Cassidy managed to evade capture.
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7. The Coeur D’Alene mining conflict stands as one of Idaho’s most infamous historical events. In July 1892, union miners protested wage cuts and extended work hours by staging a riot at the mine, where replacement workers had been brought in. The unrest turned deadly, prompting the National Guard to intervene and restore peace.
8. Idaho pioneered innovative forest fire prevention methods. Workers, stationed on tree chairs and later steel towers ranging from 15 to 54 feet high, were tasked with spotting smoke from potential fires and alerting park staff to prevent their spread. (The job wasn’t without risks: one lookout tragically died after being struck by lightning while on duty.)
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9. Idaho is the birthplace of the first ski lift. The Union Pacific Railroad believed Sun Valley’s slopes would draw skiing enthusiasts. In 1936, UPR engineer James Curran designed the chair lift, inspired by the banana hooks used to load fruit onto ships.
10. Walt Disney tied the knot in Idaho in 1925. His bride, Lillian Bounds, was a Lewiston native who moved to California to visit her sister. After joining Disney Productions as an inker, she met Walt, and their relationship blossomed. They married at a family home in Lewiston, and Bounds is said to have suggested the name “Mickey” for Disney’s iconic mouse.
11. J.R. Simplot revolutionized the potato industry. In 1941, he discovered how to dehydrate potatoes using a prune drying machine. The Iowa-born innovator later created flash-frozen and pre-cut fries, which became a global fast-food staple. His license plate famously displayed “Mr. Spud.”
12. Idaho pioneered atomic energy. The National Reactor Testing Station in Idaho became the first facility to generate electricity from nuclear fission in 1951. By 1955, the Atomic Energy Commission powered the town of Arco for an hour using nuclear energy.
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13. Idaho concealed the remains of an extinct horse species. In 1928, rancher Elmer Cook discovered fossils, prompting the Smithsonian Institution to unearth over three tons of specimens, including a full skeleton, in 1929. Known as the “Hagerman horse,” this ancient creature is considered the earliest horse fossil, though it shares more traits with zebras.
14. Evel Knievel faced a major setback in Idaho. In 1974, the daredevil tried to leap across the 1600-foot Snake River Canyon in a specially designed “Skycycle.” The parachute deployed prematurely, sending Knievel crashing into the canyon. Despite numerous attempts, no one has successfully crossed the canyon since.
15. Snake River played a role in one of Idaho’s worst disasters. In 1976, the Teton Dam collapsed, flooding thousands of homes and killing numerous livestock. The floodwaters were eventually contained by the American Falls reservoir.
16. Idaho faced another challenge in 1980 when Mount Saint Helens erupted in Washington, blanketing northern Idaho with a thick layer of volcanic ash.
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17. Idaho’s volcanic activity is typically well-contained. The Craters of the Moon, located near Snake River, features volcanic fissures, lava fields, and tubes. At its center lies the Great Rift, a 52-mile-long fracture in the Earth’s crust. Designated a National Monument by President Calvin Coolidge in 1924, it later served as a training site for Apollo 14 astronauts.
18. Volcanic ash may be the secret behind Idaho’s famous potatoes. The Idaho Potato Museum explains that the ash creates light, nutrient-rich soil, perfect for growing high-quality spuds.
19. While potatoes are iconic, Idaho’s most significant export might be television. Philo T. Farnsworth, a Rigby native, conceived the idea for electronic television in his high school chemistry class in 1922. His breakthrough in electron-based image transmission became the foundation for his 1927 television prototype.
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20. Idaho is home to one of the world’s greatest athletes. Dan O’Brien, an Olympic decathlon gold medalist, attended the University of Idaho and trained there for the 1992 Games, though he initially missed qualification due to a pole vault mishap. He triumphed in 1996, securing his place in Olympic history.
21. Idaho’s Capitol Building is a model of sustainability, utilizing geothermal energy for heating. Water from hot springs over 3000 feet underground is pumped to warm the structure. This system also benefits more than 200 homes near Boise, with water temperatures reaching 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
22. Before creating Tarzan, author Edgar Rice Burroughs spent part of his life in Idaho. He worked on a cattle ranch near Pocatello, later opening a stationery store and living on a houseboat. During a trip to Honolulu, he encountered Ernest Hemingway but was too shy to approach him, despite his wife’s encouragement.
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23. Adam West, known for playing Batman, spends part of the year in Ketchum. Locals suggest looking up “Wayne, Bruce” in the phone book if you’re trying to find him.
24. Idaho has its own version of the Loch Ness Monster. The Bear Lake Monster, first sighted in 1868 near the Utah/Idaho border, has been described as reptilian or bear-like. Some speculate the sightings could be attributed to swimming elk.
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25. Idaho is the birthplace of Furby. Caleb Chung, a Boise resident, co-created the popular robotic toy in 1997 and eventually sold the concept to Tiger Electronics. Chung continued his work in his Idaho lab, where he also designed Pleo, a robotic dinosaur released in 2006.
