IdaHistory

02/13/2025

Photos of people camping in Idaho from 1940 to 1964. Makes me miss the warm weather already… (Credit: National Archives Catalog)

02/12/2025

“There are several versions of the story behind a series of promotional photos taken of Marilyn Monroe wearing a potato sack dress.

The best one involves a party at the Beverly Hills Hotel in which Monroe, then 24, allegedly showed up in a revealing red dress that a columnist declared ‘cheap and vulgar,’ adding she would have been better served wearing ‘a potato sack.’ The Twentieth Century Fox PR department then capitalized on the moment by putting her in one.

The less colourful version of the story is that the studio was simply hoping to drum up some publicity by suggesting their starlet was so beautiful, she could even make a potato sack look good — which she indubitably does.

As for who tailored it to hug her famous curves, chances are good it was William Travilla … One of the sack-dress photos ran in Stare, a cheesecake magazine, in 1952 — a year before Pl***oy launched with Monroe on the cover. ‘MMMarilyn MMMonroe doesn’t care too much for potatoes because it tends to put on weight,’ the Stare caption read. ‘But she decided to do something for the potatoes!’” - Credit: The Hollywood Reporter

“While Marilyn’s response was certainly eye-catching, the potato sack wasn’t a new idea as she had already made a similar pose for another studio photographer, Earl Thiesen, in 1951. Today, her risqué style is celebrated – and her provocative stance takes pride of place at the Idaho Potato Museum.” (Last photo) - Credit: The Marilyn Report

02/06/2025

Digging through the archives for material and to work on our new tours. Stumbled upon these old photos of prostitutes at the Starling Rooming House (just west of the Egyptian Theater) in 1915 and more proof that Mulligans (formerly the Clyde Rooming House) was a brothel.

01/30/2025

Table Rock - 1900

01/28/2025

On September 10, 1996, Rage Against the Machine performed at the Old Idaho State Penitentiary in what they called “Rage in the Cage.”

Credit: Old Idaho Penitentiary and the Idaho State Historical Society

01/23/2025

Listen to this weeks episode of the Highway to History podcast. https://www.idahistory.com/theidashistorypodcast

After the Civil War concluded in 1865, and the failure of Reconstruction in the South, the white citizens of the southern states unleashed a system of race based terrorism on black Americans so severe it caused The Great Migration northward, wherein black southerners emigrated in mass to northern cities and towns to start new lives. In the North, tragically, they’d face the same type of systematic violence they did in the South on a smaller scale, but no less savage. The terror was called lynching and it was perpetrated by various brutal means, not just hanging. The legacy of lynching can still be felt today throughout America, though many choose to look away rather than confront Lynching’s impact on the United States.

First photo I forgot to add in our recent video on MLK Jr Day.

Second photo is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) at 69 Fifth Avenue, New York City, in 1938

01/12/2025

Our Instagram got taken down a couple months ago after being hacked. Go follow our new Insta for more Idahistory content! Thank you for the support!

190 Followers, 88 Following, 26 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from IdaHistory (.history)

01/10/2025

A good night for a good cause! 3 days left!
https://rafflecreator.com/pages/89988/help-our-friend-megan-beat-cancer

01/04/2025

Just 9 days left to enter a raffle for a Boise True Crime Tour along with 8 friends. $10 for a good cause and for a fun night out!!!

Help our friend Megan Beat Cancer! is raising funds online with Raffle Creator!

12/23/2024

If you need a last minute xmas gift, book a Boise true crime tour for/with someone you love at www.idahistory.com

12/20/2024

"The Niagara of the West" Shoshone Falls. Photos taken in 1874 by Timothy O'Sullivan.

Credit: National Archives Catalog

12/12/2024

Idahistory is hosting a raffle to help our friend Megan beat cancer!!!

Megan Sharratt is a unique soul. She is creative. She is kind. She is an artist. But, most importantly, she is one of those special individuals that possesses the special ability within to act as the "connective tissue" of regional culture, a builder of bridges between disparate creative entities that come together for the better because of her presence. Just a few months ago, after being such a support to me personally, Megan learned she has Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

All the proceeds go to her and the winner gets a Boise True Crime and Haunted 1970s Motorhome Tour, with up to 8 friends. Usually $65 per person, but if you donate $10 to the raffle, you get entered for a chance to win. Or you can get 5 chances for $40. Please like and share this post to help get the word out, and thank you for your donation!

https://rafflecreator.com/pages/89988/help-our-friend-megan-beat-cancer

12/07/2024

Beat the cold and enjoy a few drinks with idahistory on our 70s motorhome!! True crime and ghost tours available now to book at www.idahistory.com

11/24/2024

Hello followers,

Sorry to all our followers that we haven't been able to post consistently. We've had some issues with our social media being hacked, but we finally have access to our page again, and we will be more active going forward. We are still in the process of gaining access to our Instagram account again, but it's looking promising and we are excited to have that up and running again soon!

Thanks so much for your support!

11/02/2024

The old Chinese Lantern Restaurant building opened in 1956 at what is now 3640 W Chinden Blvd in Garden City, Idaho. Soon, this unique spot will be transformed into Oldspeak Bar and Bookshop, a book lounge and tap house catering to folks who love local beer and reading. The new bar and shop will combine the delicious brews of with the eclectic and intelligent style of The Lit Room Book Lounge . No book bans or restrictions allowed...totally anti-Orwellian!

11/01/2024

Winter is coming… so we are saying goodbye to the Macabre Tour for the season!! Thanks to everyone who joined us on our walking tours around downtown Boise. Idahistory has a lot of cool stuff in the works and we are looking forward to next Spring already.

In the meantime, join us on our True Crime & Ghost Van Tours! Perfect event to get you out of the house this winter while still staying warm. Come on the Road Toad and learn about Boise’s hidden history.

Idahistory.com (link in bio)

10/29/2024

IdaHistory Dump!!

10/24/2024

We had some troopers on the Macabre Tour last night, but the weather made it all the more spooky and scenic 🎃👻 if you wanna explore Boise, Idaho’s dark, haunted, and unknown past, book a tour on our website idahistory.com

LINK IN BIO!