Idaho State
In the early 1860s, when the United States Congress was considering organizing a new territory in the Rocky Mountains, eccentric lobbyist George M. Willing suggested the name "Idaho", which he claimed was derived from a Shoshone language term meaning "the sun comes from the mountains" or "gem of the mountains". Willing later claimed that he had simply invented the name. Despite this lack of evidence for the origin of the name, many textbooks well into the 20th century repeated as fact Willing's account that the name "Idaho" derived from the Shoshone term "ee-da-how".
The name "Idaho" may be derived from the Plains Apache word "ídaahe´", which means "enemy." The Comanches used this word to refer to the Idaho Territory.
Mapped Location
Idaho: The mapped location is an approximation and should not be used for navigation or wayfinding.
Information
General information on Idaho
- Feature Type: State
- State Capitol: City of Boise
- Established as a Territory: Wednesday, March 4, 1863
- Admitted to the Union: Thursday, July 3, 1890
Official, historical, colloquial and alternative toponyms for Idaho
A brief list of names that this geographic feature has been named
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| State of Idaho | Official |
Origin Notes and History of Idaho
References to Idaho that document the origin of its place name
HISTORICAL.—Until 1848 what is now Idaho was a part of the Northwest coast. From 1848 to 1853 it was a part of Oregon territory. From 1853 to 1859 all Idaho north of 46° was attached to Washington Territory, while all south of that remained in Oregon. From 1859 to 1863 ail Idaho was a part of Washington. The name Idaho was first applied in 1863 when it was formed into a territory. In 1864 Montana and in 1868 Wyoming were created out of Idaho, and in 1890 it was admitted as the forty-third state of the American Union. Oregon is Idaho's grandmother; Washington her mother; and Montana and Wyoming her daughters.
Related Online Resources
Idaho Bibliography Project
The Idaho Bibliography Project is intended to provide a comprehensive list of nonfiction about the state of Idaho–presented in a browseable website that encourages you to discover the unique books written about the history of your local area.
WEB LINKIdaho State Historical Society
The Idaho State Historical Society continues to build on a 140-year legacy of preserving and promoting Idaho history. We have grown from our original charge of chronicling the state’s story to engaging Idahoans through inspiring educational services
WEB LINKBoise State University Special Collections
Founded in 1973, Special Collections and Archives is a resource for university, local, and Idaho history. We welcome anyone from the campus or public communities to view or research our collections.
WEB LINKIdaho State University Special Collections
Special Collections and Archives at the Eli M. Oboler Library, Idaho State University acquires, preserves, and makes accessible research materials that document the historical, cultural, and folk life experience of Southeast Idaho, the Intermountain West, and the history of Idaho State University.
WEB LINKThe National Archives at Seattle
We maintain and provide access to permanent records created by Federal agencies and courts in the following states: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
WEB LINKDigital Atlas of Idaho
Idaho's natural history online. One Digital Location for Geography, History, and the natural history of Idaho. Project funded by the Idaho State Board of Education Technology Initiative Grants.
WEB LINKAtlas of the Pacific Northwest: 2019 Edition
Since 1953, the Atlas of the Pacific Northwest has been an invaluable reference for Northwesterners and newcomers alike—an authoritative portrait of the region. Nine editions have been released by OSU Press, the most recent in 2003 (currently out of print). This 2019 edition is the second to be released in a digital, fully-interactive format, designed to highlight facets of the Pacific Northwest landscape with novel approaches to data presentation. Where previous editions of the atlas were designed to ask and answer questions, this atlas serves as a platform for the geographically curious to explore the region, providing as many critical questions as it does critical answers.
WEB LINK
Political Boundaries
Idaho
- Ada County
- Adams County
- Bannock County
- Bear Lake County
- Benewah County
- Bingham County
- Blaine County
- Boise County
- Bonner County
- Bonneville County
- Boundary County
- Butte County
- Camas County
- Canyon County
- Caribou County
- Cassia County
- Clark County
- Clearwater County
- Custer County
- Elmore County
- Franklin County
- Fremont County
- Gem County
- Gooding County
- Idaho County
- Jefferson County
- Jerome County
- Kootenai County
- Latah County
- Lemhi County
- Lewis County
- Lincoln County
- Madison County
- Minidoka County
- Nez Perce County
- Oneida County
- Owyhee County
- Payette County
- Power County
- Shoshone County
- Teton County
- Twin Falls County
- Valley County
- Washington County
Last updated: 2022-10-16