Idaho History

Idaho history is varied, unique and never dull. Native Indians, potatoes and gold, it’s got it all.

If you’re one of those people who think "history, I’ve heard it all before", then you’re in for a treat. The thing is about Idaho, it has got a real history, all of its own, and it’s pretty fascinating stuff believe you me.

The History of Idaho

There are loads of museums around Idaho which can tell you the story of the history of this remarkable state, all about when the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803 for $15 million (and that’s when $15 million was a lot of money!) Fancy having to buy back your own land, those French were early entrepreneurs if anybody was, then Lewis and Clark discovering Idaho at the Lemhi Pass in 1805 and coming face to face with those Indians. It really is fascinating stuff.

The animal rights activists among you might be more than a little disturbed to hear that Idaho was founded largely on the fur trade and that the Missouri Fur Company established the first trading post in 1810. A guy named John Reid thought he’d get his share of the action and established a fur trading post on the Boise River, until the Indians wiped it out in 1814 but I don’t think it was the fur that they were objecting to. The fur trade seemed to be attracting more and more pale-faced white men which was most disturbing for the natives.

A few decades of fur trapping and trading posts later, and the first school was established in 1837, and soon after Father Pierre Jean de Smet began missionary work in the area, oh oh, sounds like the French are back!

Many of the white men who came to Idaho weren’t really meaning to stay, they were simply traveling through (much like a bible salesman) on their way to mine for gold in California or grow crops in Oregon. Thousands of people passed through and gradually, of course, some decided to stay. It goes without saying, that once gold was discovered in Idaho it was a great incentive not to go any further, but to stay put and start panning.

Idaho Museums and Memorial Sites

There are loads of great museums and memorial sites all over Idaho which can give you a real insight into the early days of this remarkable state. Native Indians, potatoes, gold, it’s got it all. History, if you think you’ve heard it all before think again, there just might be a few surprises in store.