Idaho, as part of the Oregon Country, was claimed by both the United States and United Kingdom until the United States gained undisputed jurisdiction in 1846. In 1863 a portion of Washington Territory was used to create Idaho Territory. In 1890 Idaho was admitted to the Union as the 43rd state.
In 1905, the Idaho legislature passed the bill authorizing construction of the Capitol Building. The dome and central parts of the Capitol were built first from 1905-1912. The wings (House and Senate chambers) were constructed during 1919 and 1920. Idaho's Capitol Building is the only one in the United States heated by geothermal water.
The Idaho State Capitol is currently closed to the public until 2010 for extensive renovations. Government offices have been temporarily moved to nearby state buildings.
The Capitol Dome with the U.S. Flag and Idaho State Flag flying. The Capitol from its base to the eagle atop the dome is 208 feet.
Originally the dome was to be topped with a flag, but a 5’7” bronzed solid copper eagle was used instead. In 2005, as part of the exterior restoration, it received a new gilding of gold leaf.
During the renovation of the Capitol, the old Ada County Courthouse will house the Idaho Legislature in converted courtrooms. The old courthouse was bought from the county after the new county courthouse was built.
The Idaho Senate consists of 35 Senators elected to two-year terms, each representing a district of the state.
The Idaho House of Representatives consists of 70 representatives elected to two-year terms. There are two representatives from each legislature district.
After Idaho became a territory in 1860 the first Justices of the Territorial Supreme Court were appointed by President Abraham Lincoln. When Idaho became a state in 1890, the Constitution provided for three Justices. By an amendment in 1919, the number of Justices was fixed at five, composed of a Chief Justice and four Justices. The Justices of the Supreme Court are elected at large, on a non-partisan ballot, for a term of six years with their terms being staggered so continuity on the Court will be maintained. The Chief Justice is selected by a majority of the members of the court to serve a four year term, with the responsibility of presiding over the Court activities during this term. The Supreme Court was in the Capitol until new Supreme Court Building was constructed in 1970.
Steunenberg left school at 16, became a printer's apprentice and in 1881 found work with the Des Moines Register. He published his own newspaper in Knoxville before working for the Caldwell Tribune. Steunenberg was active in the Democratic Party and in 1890 was elected to the state legislature and six years later became governor of Idaho.
In 1899 Idaho was hit by a series of industrial disputes. Steunenberg took a tough line, declared martial law and asked for federal troops to help fight the trade union movement. Over a thousand trade unionists and their supporters were rounded up and kept in stockades without trial. Activists were particularly angry about his attempts to justify his actions. He retired from office. In December, 1905, he went out for a walk. On his return, when he opened the gate to his side door, it triggered a bomb, that killed him.
The "Hospitality of the Nez Perce" is a replica of a statue found on the campus of Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. The sculpture in artful detail depicts Meriwether Lewis in a three-cornered hat and his colleague William Clark wearing a fur cap. An animated Nez Perce tribal chief, Twisted Hair, motions to the west and a perilous waterway that would transport the explorers to their destination - the Pacific Ocean. At their feet, unaware of the historical significance of this first encounter, Twisted Hair's young son Lawyer is enthralled by the elements of trade, a few fish, and some camas root.
Artist and sculptor is Doug Hyde, a descendant of the Nez Perce Tribe.
This building is across the street and behind the Capitol and houses the Idaho State Department of Education.
The Commission for Libraries strives to reach new frontiers by working with all types of libraries in Idaho to offer high tech services. The Libraries Linking Idaho Network (LiLI) hosts the popular LiLI databases and statewide resource sharing catalog. Plans for LiLI include the development of more statewide networking activities.And while high tech may be the wave of the future, equally important is the high touch afforded through many local libraries. Through partnerships, the Commission works to impact lives on the community level, delivering both books and bytes.
