Idaho,
The thirtieth State admitted to the American Union, was first explored by the whites of the
Lewis and
Clark expedition.
Within its present limit the Coeur d'alene mission was established in 1842.
The region was visited almost exclusively by hunters and trappers till 1852, when gold was discovered on its present northern boundary.
By act of Congress of March 3, 1863, the
Territory of Idaho was created from a portion of
Oregon Territory, with an area which included the whole of the present State of
Montana and nearly all of that of
Wyoming.
In 1864 the
Territory lost a part of its area to form the
Territory of Montana, and in 1868 another large portion was cut from it to form the
Territory of Wyoming.
On July 3, 1890, the
Territory was admitted into the
Union as a State, having then a gross area of 84,800 square miles.
Between the dates of its creation as a Territory and a State it became widely noted as a most promising field for gold
[
2]
and silver mining, and for several years later,
Idaho was classed politically as a silver State.
Prospecting, however, developed a large number of rich paying gold properties, and during the copper excitement of 1898-1901 many veins of that mineral were found.
During the calendar year 1899 the gold mines of
Idaho yielded a combined product valued at $1,889,000; and the silver mines a product having a commercial value of $2,311,080. The development of the various min ing interests was seriously retarded for many years by the lack of transportation facilities, but by 1900 railroads had been extended to a number of important centres, and wagon-roads had been constructed connecting direct with the chief mining properties.
The State also had a natural resource of inestimable value in its forests, a considerable variety of timber in commercial demand flourishing well up to the snow-line of its mountains.
The chief agricultural productions are wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, and hay, and the combined values of these crops in the calendar year 1900 was $6,773,261. the hay crop alone exceeding in value $4,280,000. For 1900 the equalized valuation of all taxable property was $47,545,905, and the total bonded debt was $425,500, largely incurred for the construction of wagon-roads.
The population in 1890 was 84,385; in 1900, 161,772.
See
United States, Idaho, vol.
IX.
Territorial governors.
State governors.
