Test Your Idaho History IQ

Test your Idaho history IQ with this quiz taken from the pages of the Idaho Highway Historical Marker Guide:

1. Owyhee County was originally named for:

A) Trappers sent there from Hawaii. B) The original Native American inhabitants. C) Army Captain Patrick O'wyhe.

2. Frisco Mill is best known for:

A) Being the first silver mine in Northern Idaho. B) Burning down in the fire of 1902. C) Bloody gun battles between the mining union and management.

3. Oro Fino City flourished in 1861 because of:

A) Gold strikes. B) Cattle drives. C) Proximity to the Oregon Trail.

4. For much of their journey, Lewis and Clark followed the existing trail of the:

A) Nez Perce Tribe. B) Shoshone Tribe. C) Coeur d'Alene Tribe.

5. Arrowrock Dam, the world's highest dam from 1915 to 1934, was built to:

A) Produce hydroelectricity. B) Provide water storage for irrigation. C) Prevent flooding of the Magic Valley.

6. The City of Rocks is:

A) An elaborate system of canyon wall caves inhabited by prehistoric man. B) A large group of natural rock formations. C) Nicknamed for the city of Wisca, due to the large number of houses built from a nearby granite quarry.

7. Springs at the city of Lava Hot Springs were discovered by:

A) Oregon Trail settlers. B) Fur traders. C) Native Americans.

8. Idaho's oldest college is:

A) Lewis and Clark. B) Albertson College of Idaho. C) University of Idaho.

9. Lawyer's Canyon was named after:

A) A Lewiston attorney. B) A Nez Perce leader. C) Pioneer James W. Lawyer.

10. The Mullan Road was designed to connect:

A) The Missouri and Columbia rivers. B) Boise and Idaho City. C) Grangeville with Goff Bridge.

11. The Three Island Crossing refers to:

A) The crossing of the Salmon River by Lewis and Clark. B) An escape plan from the Old Boise Penitentiary that used three Boise River islands to hide from guards. C) The crossing of the Snake River by Oregon Trail pioneers.

12. Old Fort Boise was originally located:

A) Along the Snake River near Parma. B) Near Karcher Mall in Nampa) C) In the Boise foothills.

Answers: 1. A (Sign 192, U.S. 95); 2. C (Sign 424, Idaho 4); 3. A (Sign 156, Idaho 11); 4. A (Sign 334, U.S. 12); 5. B (Sign 376, Idaho 21); 6. B (Sign 344, Idaho 27); 7. C (Sign 13, U.S. 30); 8. B (Sign 291, Interstate 84 Business Loop); 9. B (Sign 163, U.S. 95); 10. A (Sign 285, Idaho 3); 11. C (Sign 198, Interstate 84 Business Route) 12. A (Sign 85, U.S. 95)

Number of Correct Answers:

10-12 Ph.D.

7-9 Masters

4-6 Undergraduate

0-3 K through 12

For comments, suggestions and corrections, e-mail the Office of Communications at: comments@itd.idaho.gov.