On March 4th we celebrate Idaho Day marking the 159th anniversary of the establishment of Idaho Territory by President Abraham Lincoln on March 4, 1863. Last year was also the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the State Capitol Building in Boise, the most striking symbol of Idaho sovereignty and history, and truly one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in America. This unique classical structure features light shafts, skylights, and reflective marble which direct natural light into the heart of the building thus becoming known as the “Capitol of Light’, an inspirational metaphor for enlightenment, morality and democracy.
One of the most compelling historic features of the Statehouse are the composite portrait photographs hanging throughout the building featuring public servants who served Idaho since her founding. Amazed to have 24 hour access to this grand building during my 16 years of service in the legislature, one of my favorite diversions was to wander through its halls alone, late at night without meeting or seeing another living person. I sometimes spent several hours contemplating the portraits of the men and women who served there, but now they are mostly forgotten. I could feel their presence. There on a wall before me, for example, was Emery Hedlund, a former House member with whom I served 45 years ago. Originally from Sweden, he won a gold medal for cross country skiing in the 1928 Olympics. I remember him telling me with a chuckle that he actually tied with another athlete for 1st place and the gold medal was cut in half by Olympic officials, so he actually won ½ of a gold medal.
I was moved by the large number of former legislators pictured on the walls who fought in horrific battles during World War II. One example is former House member Mack Neibaur from Paul. Some 40 years ago I remember Mack tying his shoe on the floor of the House and noticed a small dark round scar on both sides of his ankle. Upon inquiring, he told me the scars came from a Japanese bullet during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II, which he barely survived. I loved Mack Neibaur; he was a magnificent leader of men.
There also was the portrait of Frank Henderson from Post Falls, the last World War II veteran to serve in the legislature, with whom I also served.
The most compelling portrait in the Statehouse was that of Territorial Governor Edward A. Stevenson, the man who saved Idaho. Stevenson settled in Idaho in 1863, the same year she became a territory. Edward grew up in Idaho. He came to start a new life after his wife and children were killed by hostile Indians in California. He married again, settled in the Boise Basin and became successful in ranching, mining and politics.
Edward Stevenson became territorial governor at a time when politicians in Washington D.C. were planning to dismantle Idaho. The US Congress did in fact pass legislation in 1887 which would have given north Idaho to Washington State, while a second plan was being prepared to give southern Idaho to Nevada which was losing population after a decline in mining activity. It was a close call. The bill went to President Grover Cleveland for his signature but an effective organized protest led by Governor Stevenson convinced the President to veto the legislation and so Idaho was saved. Governor Stevenson then went to work with Senator Fred Dubois and others to secure statehood for Idaho which was obtained on July 3, 1890.
Today Edward A. Stevenson is largely forgotten. His grave is not hard to find, however, located in the Pioneer cemetery just down the road east of the Statehouse. You might even place blue flowers on his grave to thank him for saving Idaho.
My most inspirational memory of the Capitol Building began on a cold winter morning some 44 years ago. As a newly elected legislator, I often walked a mile to reach the Statehouse which was straight north from my apartment on Capitol Boulevard.
One morning it was snowing lightly as I crossed the bridge over the Boise River, when to my amazement, an American Bald Eagle silently flew very low over me out of the clouds. He was so low I could clearly see his vivid piercing yellow eyes; it was like something out of a dream. Reaching the Capitol Building, I called a fish and game officer who told me that eagles winter along the Boise River and do indeed occasionally fly into downtown Boise, and that the greatest concentration of birds of prey in the entire world can be found within a 45 minute drive of Boise.
Where else but in a place like Idaho could one see an American eagle in the same field of vision as the State Capitol building; two glorious symbols of freedom!
Click here to read more of the March issue of Idaho Falls Magazine.