I don’t know about you, but I do love throwing out random facts to my friends when we are out together or to my coworkers when I feel like sharing some Idaho knowledge. Even when you have to plan a team Kahoot to test your coworkers’ speed and brain power, these interesting and weird Idaho facts are a little surprising, to say the least; here is the list of my favorites I’ve learned over the years.
- Idaho has 72 different semi-precious and precious gemstones found in the area.
- Wonder where places get their trout? It’s us; most of the nation gets their trout from Idaho.
- Idaho used to be called the “Colorado Territory.”
- At one point, it was a law in Pocatello that people may not be seen in public without a smile on their face. What?
- The State Seal of Idaho is the only seal designed by a woman in the US. Thank you, Emma Edwards Green!
- Ever desire to stay inside a giant beagle? Nope, me either, but you can in Cottonwood, Idaho, at the Dog Bark Park Inn.
- Wonder why you love places like Yoi Tomo and Shogun Sushi? Idaho has Lewiston, the farthest inland port on this side of the country.
- Snakes have been banned from biting humans on a Sunday – except when it’s snowing. Yeah, we don’t understand what situation prompted this weird rule.
- Idaho has 3,100 miles of rivers. Would you look at all that water!?
- Hells Canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon! It is 7,900 feet deep, while the Grand Canyon is only 6,000 feet deep.
- Idaho has two time zones. Towns above the Salmon River are in the Pacific Time zone, while the rest is in Mountain Standard Time.
- You can go to jail for six months if you sell an “Idaho Deluxe” potato with sun damage, rot, or blemishes.
- Joe Albertson opened his first store on the corner of State Street and Sixteenth in downtown Boise.
- Idaho has a state horse. The Appaloosa is the first breed tamed by the Nez Perce tribe.
- In the 1950s, Idaho National Laboratory was the first to harness nuclear power to charge up a whole city!
Did you know some of these or discover something new? I sure did, Idaho is the original horse girl, and we have some amazing feats. Did we miss anything? Let us know by sending an email to info@thegoagency.com because we love making sure things are accurate and up to date!