Welcome
to Idaho, a land of rugged beauty and millions of acres of wilderness.
With a landscape that ranges from subalpine to desert, granite mountains
to fertile farms, lakes and waterfalls to canyons and gorges, Idaho is a
study in geographic diversity. Hell's Canyon, at 7900 feet, is the deepest
canyon in North America, deeper even than the Grand Canyon. And the
Shoshone Falls, on the Snake River, are higher than Niagara Falls.
The
Idaho potato is known around the globe, and two thirds of all the
processed potatoes produced in the United States are grown in Idaho. Idaho
has the greatest stand of white pine trees in the country. And the state
is first in the country in production of silver. In addition to silver
mining, gold, lead, zinc, and copper are all produced in Idaho.
| THE NAME:
Idaho was first presented to Congress, by mining lobbyist George M. Willing, as a name for a new
territory around Pike's Peak. He told Congress that Idaho was a Shoshone Indian word that meant "Gem of the Mountains."
Indian names were popular at the time and by the end of 1860, Congress was set to name the Pike's Peak region
Idaho. Just as Congress was about to bestow this name, it came to their attention that Idaho
was not an Indian name, but a name made up by Mr. Willing. In reaction, Congress designated the territory
Colorado instead of Idaho.
In the meantime, the word Idaho had come into common usage. One of the mining towns in Colorado Territory had been
named Idaho Springs. A Columbia River steamboat launched on June 9, 1860, for service between the Cascades and
The Dalles, was named "Idaho." Gold was found in Nez Perce country, and these discoveries became known
as the "Idaho Mines," perhaps after the steamboat used in the gold rush up the Columbia River. Though
Idaho had been discarded as a name for the new territory, the name became well known from Washington D.C.
to the Pacific northwest.
In 1863, Congress created a new territory for the Idaho Mines and the name Idaho seemed like a natural.
Source: Idaho State Historical Society, (http://www.idahohistory.net/Reference%20Series/0258.doc), September 19, 2002
Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S.
State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994 |
| THE NICKNAMES:
The Gem State: This nickname for Idaho grew from the meaning George M. Willing gave to the word when he made up the name.
Gem of the Mountains: Similar to the above, Mr. Willing told Congress that Idaho was an Indian word
meaning "Gem of the Mountains."
Little Ida: This old nickname probably came about because Idaho is smaller than most of the other western states.
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994
Shankle, George Earlie, Phd State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and
Other Symbols H. H. Wilson Company, New York - 1938 (Reprint) |
THE CITIZENS:
People who live in Idaho or who come from Idaho are called Idahoans.
In the days of the gold rush, Idahoans were sometimes referred to as "Fortune Seekers" because of the number of
people who went to Idaho to find wealth in gold and silver mining. |
THE QUARTER:
 |
| U.S. Mint Image |
The third commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2007 honors Idaho, and is the 43rd coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program. Idaho, nicknamed the "Gem State," was admitted into the Union on July 3, 1890, becoming our Nation's 43rd state. The reverse of Idaho's quarter features the Peregrine Falcon imposing its presence above an outline of the State of Idaho. The coin bears the inscriptions "Esto Perpetua" (the State motto which means, "May it be Forever"), "Idaho" and "1890."
The Peregrine Falcon is one of the fastest birds in the world. Once on the endangered species list, it can now be found throughout Idaho and the United States because of conservation efforts.
Five narratives were forwarded to the United States Mint, and they were rendered by United States Mint sculptor-engravers and artists in the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program. The corresponding design images were presented to Idaho, and then-Governor Dirk Kempthorne made the recommendation. Governor Kempthorne stated that the recommended design, the Peregrine Falcon, reflected Idahoans' traditional values and esteem for nature. This design was derived from one of many narratives submitted by Idaho residents to the Idaho Commission on the Arts.
The Department of the Treasury approved the design on June 26, 2006. Two other designs were considered, including "Farmland Tapestry," showing the farmland of Idaho with its majestic timber-covered mountains rising above, and "State Song," featuring the outline of the State and lyrics.
On July 24, 2006, Governor Jim Risch and State Treasurer Ron Crane revealed to the public Idaho's quarter design.
For more on the state commemorative quarters, visit this page.
This 50 State Quarter Map is a great way to collect and display all 50 State Quarters. |
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