The WPA Guide to Idaho: The Gem State. A Guide in Word and Picture

During the 1930s in the United States, the Works Progress Administration developed the Federal Writers’ Project to support writers and artists while making a national effort to document the country’s shared history and culture. The American Guide series consists of individual guides to each of the states. Little-known authors—many of whom would later become celebrated literary figures—were commissioned to write these important books. John Steinbeck, Saul Bellow, Zora Neale Hurston, and Ralph Ellison are among the more than 6,000 writers, editors, historians, and researchers who documented this celebration of local histories. Photographs, drawings, driving tours, detailed descriptions of towns, and rich cultural details exhibit each state’s unique flavor. While Idaho is well known for its potatoes, this WPA Guide introduces readers to many other facets of life in this Pacific Northwestern state. The first installment of the American Guide Series to be published, the guide documents the young state’s response to the Great Depression by reinvigorating its science, technology, and agriculture industries. Natural elements of the Gem State are recognized, as well as the rich history of the American Indians in the area. Great photography and detailed histories enhance this historically significant guide.

During the 1930s in the United States, the Works Progress Administration developed the Federal Writers’ Project to support writers and artists while making a national effort to document the country’s shared history and culture. The American Guide series consists of individual guides to each of the states. Little-known authors—many of whom would later become celebrated literary figures—were commissioned to write these important books. John Steinbeck, Saul Bellow, Zora Neale Hurston, and Ralph Ellison are among the more than 6,000 writers, editors, historians, and researchers who documented this celebration of local histories. Photographs, drawings, driving tours, detailed descriptions of towns, and rich cultural details exhibit each state’s unique flavor.While Idaho is well known for its potatoes, this WPA Guide introduces readers to many other facets of life in this Pacific Northwestern state. The first installment of the American Guide Series to be published, the guide documents the young state’s response to the Great Depression by reinvigorating its science, technology, and agriculture industries. Natural elements of the Gem State are recognized, as well as the rich history of the American Indians in the area. Great photography and detailed histories enhance this historically significant guide.

TOUR 7 (Canada)-Bonners Ferry-Sandpoint-Cœur d'Alene-Moscow-Lewiston-New Meadows-Weiser [US 95]Section a. Canada to Lewiston; Section b. Lewiston to Weiser; TOUR 8 Spalding-Orofino-Nezperce-Kooskia-Grangeville [State 9, 7, 12, and 13]; TOUR 9 Cœur d'Alene-St. Maries-Potlatch [US 95 Alt.]; TOUR 10 (Missoula, Montana)-Wallace-Kellogg-Cœur d'Alene-(Spokane, Washington) [US 10]; TOUR 11 (Missoula, Montana)-Clark Fork-Sandpoint-Priest River-(Spokane, Washington) [US 10 Alt. and 2]; PART III. THE PRIMITIVE AREA; Topography; A Trip into the Area; PART IV. IDAHO LORE; Buried Treasures; Ghost Towns Cover; Title Page; Copyright; Dedication; Foreword to the First Edition; Foreword to the Second Edition; Contents; Illustrations; PART I. HISTORY AND GENERAL BACKGROUND; An Essay in Idaho History; History of Idaho Indians; Anthropology of Idaho Indians; Idaho from the Air; Flora; Fauna; Hunting and Fishing; Resources and Products; Emerging from the Frontier; PART II. TOURS; General Information for Tourists; Major Points of Interest; TOUR 1 (West Yellowstone, Montana)-St. Anthony-Idaho Falls-Pocatello-Preston-(Ogden, Utah) [US 191 and 91]; Section a. Montana Line to Idaho Falls Section b. Idaho Falls to Utah LineTOUR 2 (Butte, Montana)- Dubois-Idaho Falls [US 91]; TOUR 3 (Cheyenne, Wyoming)-Montpelier-Pocatello-Twin Falls-Boise-Weiser-(Baker, Oregon) [US 30 N and 30]; Section a. Wyoming Line to Pocatello; Section b. Pocatello to Boise; Section c. Boise to Weiser; TOUR 4 Blackfoot-Arco-Junction with US 93 [US 20 and 93 Alt.]; TOUR 5 (Missoula, Montana)-Salmon City-Ketchum-Shoshone-Twin Falls-(Wells, Nevada) [US 93]; Section a. Montana Line to Hailey; Section b. Hailey to the Nevada Line; TOUR 6 New Meadows-McCall-Cascade-Boise [State 15 and 44] A Few Tall TalesPART V. APPENDICES; Origins of Names; Bibliography; Index