Update: A winner’s name was randomly drawn and she has been contacted.
Back on February 1st of this year, Karen Witemeyer posted about National Texas Day. She thought, since all her books are set in Texas, that it would make a great post. And it did. I loved reading her list of fun facts.
So I wondered if there was a National Idaho Day, especially since I set (almost) all my books in Idaho. I learned that not only was there a National Idaho Day but it fell on one of my regularly scheduled blogging days. How is that for “meant to be”?
I am a native Idahoan. I was born in a small town near the border with Oregon. I was raised in Boise. I grew up being able to walk in the ruts carved by wagons on the Oregon Trail not too far from my own home. I have climbed its mountains and I’ve descended into some ice caves. I’ve ridden my horses in the high desert that covers much of the southern part of the state. I’ve been swimming and gone waterskiing in its clear cold lakes (one that has a monster named Sharli, probably a sibling of the Loch Ness Monster). I’ve snow skied on its slopes (a long, long time ago), and I’ve stared at the western side of the Grand Tetons and marveled at the majestic world God created. From Idaho’s borders, I’ve crossed into all six states that surround us as well as into Canada.
Right around the time my first novel was released, I was employed as a Relocation Coordinator for a real estate firm. My job was to fly to corporations in other states and tell them all the reasons why they should move their businesses (and their employees) to Idaho. Thus, my head became filled with lots of fun facts about Idaho. Here are some of them.
FUN FACTS ABOUT IDAHO
- Idaho’s state bird is the Mountain Bluebird. Its state horse is the Appaloosa. Its state fish is the Cutthroat Trout. Its state flower is the Syringa. Its state tree is the Western White Pine. And its state fruit is the Huckleberry. [Note: Oh, how I love huckleberry pancakes with huckleberry syrup; I spent a great deal of time through the years, filling buckets with huckleberries whenever we were camping in McCall.]
- The territory of Idaho was created by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 (see fact about gold below). Idaho was admitted to the union as the 43rd state on May 17, 1890.
- Idaho’s highest point is Mt. Borah (12,622 ft). Lowest Point is Lewiston (738 ft).
- Port of Lewiston (Lewiston, Idaho) is the furthest inland seaport in all of the Pacific Northwest, with eight dams and locks to the Pacific.
- Idaho is 83,557 square miles, the 13th largest state in the US.
- The statehouse in Boise is geothermally heated from underground hot springs.
- Idaho’s Salmon River near Riggins is the longest free-flowing river that heads and flows within a single state. The state has 3,100 miles of rivers — more than any other state.
- Idaho is called the Gem State: It produces 72 types of precious and semi-precious stones.
- Gold was the principle factor in the establishment of many present day towns including Idaho City, located in what is called the Boise Basin. During the Civil War the Basin was the scene of the richest gold rush in American history. It is said to have produced more gold than all of Alaska.
- Shoshone Falls (212 feet), near Twin Falls, drops 52 feet further than Niagara Falls.
- The 1940 film “Northwest Passage” was filmed in McCall, Idaho.
- The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness is the largest in the lower 48 states — 2.3 million acres of backcountry. Idaho has more wilderness area than any other state except Alaska. 63% of Idaho is public land.
- The deepest river gorge in North America is Idaho’s Hells Canyon (7,900 ft deep).
- Idaho is bordered by Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Canada.
- The Great Seal of Idaho was designed in 1890 by Mrs. Emma Edwards Green. It is the only Great Seal in the 50 states to be designed by a woman.
In celebration of the state I love on National Idaho Day, I’m giving away a paperback of one of my Idaho-set novels shown in the graphic to one US winner. Just leave a comment to enter.
Again taking a cue from Karen, here are my questions:
Have you ever lived in or visited Idaho?
What fun fact surprised you the most?
~robin
Robin Lee Hatcher
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I’ve visited Idaho when my son went to college there.
How great that he went to school here!
I have never visited Idaho but, after reading your post, I want to MOVE there! What a beautiful state.
Ah, thanks. Sometimes it feels like the whole world is moving here!
I enjoyed reading all of the facts about Idaho.
😃
I have driven through Idaho several times – usually en route to Washington. I used to work at a horse farm that had a lovely view of Idaho as it was nearly on the border east of Spokane. Your facts were fun. Interesting that the Appaloosa is the state horse. Did the Navajo inhabit parts of Idaho? I thought they were farther south. Thanks for sharing!
Navajo are in the south (Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah). It is the Nez Perce tribe of eastern Washington and the panhandle of Idaho that developed the Palouse horse (Appaloosa).
I was in Boise in the mid 80’s for a couple of weeks for my job. Never had much of a chance then to see the state other than Boise, but the picture of the falls in your post is beautiful!
I know what that is like. Visiting a place but never getting to really see it because you are stuck in an office or a hotel.
You must have been great at your job, Robin, because now I want to explore Idaho! The pictures are gorgeous!
It was a fun job. Although I like being a writer more.
Robin,
Those are such interesting facts about Idaho and it sounds like you have had so much fun living there!!
In 1987, my husband and I did a coast-to-coast bike trip with a group called Wandering Wheels. We started in Oregan and finished in Delaware. Idaho was one of the most BEAUTIFUL states we rode through! It is soo pretty! I especially remember one sunny day when we were in the mountains and stopped near a green meadow and a sparkling river. It is one of my best visual memories of that trip. How blessed you are to live there, AND to be near the Oregon Trail wagon ruts! That is my favorite time in history.
Were those bicycles or motorbikes? Can’t imagine going cross country on bikes but I know many do it.
Bicycles. My husband and I were on a tandem. It’s hard work but you get strong and it’s fun!
Wow! I loved the facts from Idaho. I have been there, but about 59 years ago. The fact that I am looking up is Port Lewiston. That intrigued me and demands more research on my part. I love those little tidbits that spark me to research!
It is intriguing, to think there is a seaport in Idaho!
Yes, Idaho is a beautiful state! I have ridden bikes across Idaho twice with Wandering Wheels. Leaving Boise one morning, Coach advised us we would ride the Interstate to Mountain Home. Then we would climb toward Hill City, names that are a bit daunting to cyclists. Nevertheless, the climb was, for me at least, wonderful, with the air temperature dropping as the elevation went up. In the distance we could see mountain peaks, sheep, and a little wagon in which the shepherd lived. We camped at the top, and I recall putting on my glasses the next morning to find them covered with frost. Wonderful memories!
Oh, the Basque sheepherder wagons and sheep grazing in the mountains. Great memories! At certain times of year, hikers in the Boise foothills have to be careful about the Great Pyrenees dogs that the sheepherders use. They are wonderful dogs but they definitely mean business.
These are amazing facts, so interesting. I think we drove through a corner of Idaho when we drove cross country in 2017 on our way from Virginia to California. Our daughter relocated to CA a year after she graduated from college and couldn’t find a job in HR here. I know over 20 years ago when I was visiting her, there was discussion about Idaho being “the place” to relocate for great business opportunities. I really enjoyed what you shared about Idaho. These pictures are so beautiful. I have been to Niagara Falls, so that fact about Shoshone Falls is awesome. Thanks, Robin, for highlighting your state.
Glad you enjoyed the post!
I have never been to Idaho. I met a Florida resident once who spent summers in Idaho, and she raved about how wonderful Idaho is, so I’d love to visit! I was also surprised to hear that it’s the Gem State. One of my sons is studying to be a geologist, so he would love it there, too!
Yes, your son would love it.
My husband lived with his family in Twin Falls during his teen and college years. His folks lived there for decades. The biggest attraction there was the Snake River Canyon where Evil Knievel attempted (and failed) a jump. The actual Twin Falls had been consolidated into just one waterfall instead of two when I visited, which I thought was unfortunate for a namesake.
At the time, it was a great place to live off the land. People were allowed to go into the hills to cut their own firewood (which I thought was a wonderful idea for cleaning out fallen trees). Potato farmers would let people glean in their fields after their harvesting machines had gone through. Almost everyone had a potato cellar and garden. My husband’s church had a Christian school with cabinets and a refrigerator where people donated from their gardens and dairy farms for the teachers.
When we first got married and lived in SC, we’d have to fly into Reno or Salt Lake City and then drive to Twin Falls–a very long trip. It was so much better when we could fly straight into Boise. The last time we were there was a few years ago for my husband’s mom’s funeral. We couldn’t believe how much the area had grown–it was more more a city than a rural area by that time..
Oh, that ill-fated Evil Knievel jump. I remember that time well.
I have never been to Idaho and though it’s certainly on my list of places to visit, it’s been moved up. I want to see Shoshone Falls!!
This month Shoshone Falls is truly spectacular. That’s when you want to come. And in recent years, they’ve been doing light shows on the water at night in the month of May when the water is high. I haven’t gotten down there to see it yet, but the photos are beautiful.
I lived in North Idaho from the age of 10 to 29. It’s a beautiful state! But, even though I lived there for so long many of these facts were new to me! It’s always fun to learn new things!
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Though I had heard of some, most of the fun facts surprised me! When I think of Idaho I usually just think of potatoes (🤪). It sound like a beautiful state, with so much to see and do! I’d love to visit one day!
Yes, “Famous Potatoes” is even what our license plates say. But there is so much more to the place than that. Hope you get to come.
Sabrina, your name was randomly drawn as the winner. Please check your email for instructions.
Hi Robin: When I was a child my family took a road trip and I know we drove through Idaho. To be honest, I don’t remember much about it. But, I currently have a niece who lives in Couer d’Alene. Someday I hope to visit her. I hear Idaho is beautiful! Your pictures sure proved that true. 🙂
I visit Coeur d’Alene every summer for a writers’ retreat. I used to fly to Spokane, but the last few years I’ve been driving. Seven hours of beauty as I head north.
Fascinating post, Robin! I loved learning more about Idaho.
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We traveled all the way across the bottom of Idaho on Hwy. 20, heading into Oregon to visit Crater Lake, in 2015. We were on a big, circular 17-day vacation West. I believe we passed by some of the Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve. That was some of the strangest black rock I’ve ever seen!
The fun fact that you shared that surprised me the most was the Shoshone Falls being bigger than Niagara Falls. I’d love to see that! I’ve been to Niagara once years ago & it was impressive.
Craters of the Moon is truly unusual for sure. As for Shoshone Falls, it isn’t as wide as Niagara but it is “taller” in terms of drop.
Now I want to visit Idaho! I’m a Kansan who loves wide open spaces. I was most surprised that it had the biggest gold rush in America!
I mourn for the mountains when I visit places like Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa. But I find beauty on the plains too. I have used the gold rush in the Boise Basin in more than one of my books. There is still a fortune in the hills, and still panners searching for nuggets.
Hi Robin,
My husband’s brother and other relatives live in Nampa. I have now been to Idaho twice. One of my favorite places to visit was Silver City, a ghost town in the mountains. I would love to visit it again because it feels like a story that needs to be written. And I had no idea there was a gold rush going on during the Civil War.
My husband has walked in those wagon ruts too, and I can’t believe they are still visible! Thanks for all the interesting facts. My husband did not know that fact about Lewiston’s port. We were there last Thanksgiving, and it was COLD for this southerner!
Silver City history has played a part in a book or two of mine. Last time I went up there, I was with my daughter. It started to snow, and it was a bit scary on that narrow track of a road with some sheer drop-offs.
I learned so much from your post! I’ve never been to Idaho, but now I want to go. Thanks for sharing your state with us, Robin!
Come on up!!
I’m surprised you have a falls deeper than Niagara! But do you have a state snack? Ours is popcorn, here in Illinois.
According to Wikipedia, we don’t have a state snack. But I do love popcorn.
Great post. I have never been to Idaho, but my hubby has relative that lived near Boise. He visited them before we were married.
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Interesting post with great information. Since you have so many strong female characters in your historical novels, I love the fact that the state seal was created by a woman.
Yes, and Idaho was the fourth state in the country to grant women the right to vote, in 1896, and the first to do so by enshrining that right as an amendment to the state constitution. I should have included that information in the post.
What a fun post! I love the history and geography of states and had never read about Idaho. It is now on my bucket list for a vacation trip! I told my husband about the Port of Lewiston and in true Texas fashion he said, “Naw!” Haha He is now looking at the map of Idaho following the river to the Pacific.😊 Thank you for sharing and most of all, thank you for your wonderful books! I devour them and impatiently wait for the next one! May God bless you as you have blessed me! ♥️
Thanks, Suzanne. Hope your hubby finds lots of info on the Port of Lewiston.
Don’t forget that Idaho is home to the tallest freestanding sand dunes in North America at Bruneau Dunes State Park (the highest reaches 470 feet). I moved to the Boise area last fall from the Midwest and am presently living and working at Bruneau Dunes SP through the fall. Its austere beauty is one of God’s most beautiful palettes!
Yes, the Bruneau Dunes were left off the list because it was already so long. But the state park is impressive.
It’s an amazing state to have such a long list of notable fun facts. This was a delightful post, and I enjoyed learning more about my new state.
I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Idaho, but it sounds like a wonderful place!
Biggest surprise was the elevation difference between the cities closest and furthest from sea level. A vast difference!
There is no city on Mt. Borah. That is in the wilderness.
I am not sure if I have visited Idaho. In 1958 when I was almost twelve years old, my family made a trip from Virginia to California following a southerly route. On the return, we visited Salt Lake City and then went to Yellowstone National Park. I don’t know if we drove up through Idaho or drove further eastward and then northward through western Wyoming. This was back before the interstate highway system had been built. Regardless of whether or not I have been there, I still hope to visit Idaho before I pass on.
I think the thing that surprised me most was that Lewiston is the furthest inland port on the west coast of the United States. 465 miles from the Pacific.
Lots of people are surprised by the Port of Lewiston.
I enjoyed your fun facts about Idaho. I have never been to Idaho. The fact I found most surprising was Shoshone Falls dropping further than Niagara Falls. It looks beautiful!
Shoshone Falls is definitely beautiful.
Sorry for the repeat. I’m not sure how that happened.
The furtherest inland seaport, now that is interesting!
When I was young, probably 8 or so, my family drove cross country from Michigan to Washington state, so I am thinking we probably drove through Idaho, but I was young and don’t quite remember it!
From Michigan to Washington state would have definitely taken you through Idaho, even if only for a short distance through the panhandle.
I’ve barely been to Idaho but it was beautiful! We drove from Montana to Washington and back!
I am surprised at how the state house is heated and also that Shoshone Falls fall further than Niagara!
Huckleberry ice cream is THE best!