Idaho History Fun Facts

How much do you know about the Gem State? The fun thing about history is that there are always new discoveries occurring, providing us with more information to learn from as time goes on. 

Did you know?

• Ancient artifacts were unearthed near Twin Falls. Stone tools and animal bone fragments were found, providing what is possibly the oldest evidence of humans living in North America. 

• In nearby Blackfoot, there is one of the United States’ only potato museums which opened in 1988 and features the history and cultivation of potatoes in Idaho. You can even snap a photo with the giant baked potato at the entrance!

• Idaho Falls is the fourth largest city in Idaho with a population of 63,543 compared to Boise’s 234,576 and growing population.

• Along with potatoes, of course, Idaho has an abundance of fresh water in the approximately 2,000 lakes that are spread across the state. This water is useful in providing power to towns like Idaho Falls through power stations alongside rivers such as the Snake River.

• Many talented artists have come from or have been inspired by Idaho. Poet Ezra Pound and other popular writers were born in Idaho, including Wilson Rawls and the famed Ernest Hemingway wrote many novels while living in the state.

• Early non-Native American settlers passed through Idaho on their way to California’s gold rush only to find that Idaho had its own supply of gold. Gold mining is seldom done in Idaho today, but it certainly had its hand in populating the state in the 1800s. 

Gem State Stats:

• As of 2019, Idaho’s population is about 1,787,065 people

• The highest elevation in Idaho is 12,662 ft.(Mt. Borah)

• There are about 3,500 miles of river in Idaho

• Idaho is the No. 1 potato-producing state, contributing about 29% of the U.S. potato crop