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The construction of railroads in Idaho helped facilitate the recruitment of more settlers and helped miners and farmers reach better markets. The first opportunity for Idaho farmers to connect to larger markets came with the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 and its connecting branch between Utah and Montana. The first railroad line in Idaho, the Utah Northern, linked Ogden and Franklin in 1877. In the late 1870s and 1880s, the Oregon Short Line and the Northern Pacific Railroads built lines in Idaho, resulting in a settlement boom that doubled the population.(11) Railroad companies running lines into Idaho found that it was in their best interest to promote settlement because it developed more traffic. Railroad-funded promotions proved successful in encouraging settlement throughout southern Idaho near the railroad lines. Many of the Mormons who migrated from northern Utah to southern Idaho had worked on the railroad and were aware of the Snake River Valley's fertile land. By 1884, there were 1,400 Mormons in the area.(12) Settlement along the Oregon Short Line brought many farmers, miners, and businessmen from the Midwest. Soda Springs and Pocatello were settled soon after. The railroads were successful in stimulating settlement near railroad lines, but lack of water in the arid portions of southern Idaho stunted the growth.

Irrigation was the key to unlocking Idaho's agricultural potential. The Carey Act and the Newlands Act offered federal funding for reclamation and dam projects that would make water available throughout Idaho. With the coming of the railroads and the initiation of water projects, agricultural output increased dramatically between 1890 and 1914. New opportunities brought new settlers. The population of Idaho increased from 88,548 in 1890 to 325,594 in 1910. The Palouse region of northern Idaho became one of the nation's leading wheat producers, and southern Idaho became known for its beet sugar, fruit, and potatoes. The lumber industry in northern Idaho grew during this time as well, becoming the state's third largest industry after agriculture and minerals.




One of the primary reasons Idaho's agricultural economy did so well during this time was due to the success of the potato. Potatoes were first grown in Idaho by Henry Harmon Spalding, the missionary that came to Lapwai in 1837. Idaho's first permanent settlers in Franklin began to grow them in 1860, and by 1882, over 2,000 acres were dedicated to the root. These settlers from Utah introduced the Burbank Russet Potato from California, which grew exceptionally well. By 1915 over 33,000 acres of spuds were grown and shipped east via the Oregon Short Line. The Burbank Russet of Idaho was unique because of its resistance to blight, large size, and their slightly rough skin. Perfect growing conditions created the superior potatoes that made Idaho famous.


Idahoans Fight Back: Populism and Progressivism in the Gem State

The late 19th century and early 20th was plagued by corruption in local and state governments and corporations. The backlash against the ties between big business and government culminated into the Populist and Progressive movements. The Populists were concerned with regulating railroad prices, public utilities, and other labor/farmer-friendly legislation. The progressive movement was more concerned with reforming the governments, ridding them of corruption, and establishing social and labor laws. Both movements would have an impact on the politics of Idaho.

Farmers wanting to regulate the high shipping rates charged by the railroads banded together in the late 19th century to form the Farmers' Alliance and the National Grange. In Idaho, Alliance groups, Grangers, labor unions, single-tax clubs, and Nationalist clubs all united to form the People's Party. The party, which started in Kansas, was appealing to the large number of farmers in the west who depended on the railroads. The platform, which included support for a sound national currency, government regulated utilities, the recognition of the right to organize labor, the eight hour workday, and the direct election of senators, was appealing not only to farmers, but to labor unions, reformers, and socialists. The Idaho Populist Party first met in 1892, and lasted until 1904. They united in their demand for lower steamship rates on the Columbia, higher wages and better medical benefits for miners, and the recognition of labor unions. Populists won ten seats in the legislature in 1892, but were unable to enact any reforms. In the presidential election of 1896, Idaho's Populists supported the Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan. Unfortunately for the Populists, Bryan was defeated severely weakening the party. Although unable to enact legislation, the Populists started a reformist trend that was carried into the first decade of the 20th century with the progressive movement.

Throughout the country, citizens demanded political and moral reforms. Bossism, big business, and the corrupt bond between the government and large corporations upset Americans in every state. In Idaho, this movement was somewhat delayed due to a resurgence of anti-Mormon sentiment between 1902 and 1908. Idaho's progressives were able to pass a number of reforms, such as a local option on prohibition and a direct primary law. The State Board of Education, the State Public Utilities Commission, and a highway commission were all organized during this time to regulate their respective industries. Social reforms were enacted as well, such as a number of children and women's labor laws and mine safety regulations. Although the progressive movement made a difference in politics and social reform, it would be cut short by the demands and conservativism of the First World War.




Idaho During World War I

When America entered the war on April 6, 1917, the country's focus on political and social reform made a dramatic switch to wartime efforts. Idaho contributed to the war effort in a number of ways, including agricultural production, conservation, and manpower. The state's Council of Defense was organized by May of 1917 and quickly began promoting patriotism. The Idaho National Guard, Second Regiment, which had been sent to the Mexican border to guard against Francisco (Pancho) Villa and his raiders, was recalled and sent to war. A total of 19,279 Idahoans were active in the armed forces; 782 were killed.(13)

Idaho produced more than soldiers for the war effort. Production of agricultural products increased dramatically, as did prices, resulting in a boom for farmers. This increased demand for agricultural goods and soldiers caused a labor shortage in the state. Courts postponed trials to allow jury members to work in the fields, schools gave fall and spring vacations so students could help out, and even local businessmen lent a hand. The demand of the war called for conservation as well as increased production. Idaho families, like most American families, had wheatless and meatless days to conserve food. They also produced as much of their own food as possible by planting victory gardens and canning goods.

Not all of the effects of war in Idaho were positive; anti-German sentiment became common. In 1917, Idaho was home to 4,000 German-born citizens and 1,000 Austro-Hungarian citizens who lived in fear of discrimination and vigilantism. Idahoans held German-language book burnings, and German language was dropped from school curriculums. Another unfortunate side-effect of the war was the world-wide outbreak of Spanish Influenza. The flu reached Idaho in October of 1918. Public events were cancelled, and theaters, churches, dancehalls, and schools were closed. Entire communities were quarantined. World War I brought an era of prosperity for local farmers and businessmen, but the decrease in demand during the following decade caused a recession that would damage Idaho's economy.


The Great Depression in Idaho

The decade of the 1920s is often referred to as the "Roaring Twenties" in many American history books, but that wasn't the case for many in Idaho. Industry in Idaho was sluggish after war demands ceased. Inflation hurt farmers who were plagued with over production and lack of demand. The lumber industry witnessed a state of decline as well. The state was also experiencing a period of population loss that began with the end of the gold rush in 1890. Beginning in 1890, over 50,000 people had left Idaho, mostly for California. The poor economy in Idaho foreshadowed the great depression that was to hit the country in the following decade.

Despite the fact that Idaho's economy had been struggling throughout the 1920s, this did not prepare them in any way to deal with the devastation of the Great Depression that would follow. Farmers suffered the most; wheat prices dropped to $0.26 per bushel, and cattle dropped to $20 per head, which was the lowest price since 1890. Idaho farmers' total cash income fell from $116 million in 1929 to $41 million in 1932.(14) The value of gold rose during the depression, causing a small gold mining boom, but most industries were in distress.

Relief came from the government through the plethora of "alphabet soup" agencies, such as the CCC, CWA, and the WPA. The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) gave direct grants to local and state governments. For every three dollars spent by the local government for relief, the federal government gave one dollar. This program provided $16 million in relief for Idahoans between 1933 and 1935.(15) The Civil Works Administration (CWA) hired many Idahoans during the winter of 1933-1934. These workers built roads, streets, bridges, hospitals, and airports. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), The Works Progress Administration (WPA), and the National Youth Administration (NYA) also created employment for many Idahoans during the depression. The government provided aid for farmers in need through the Agricultural Adjustment Act, the Farm Credit Administration, and the Farm Security Administration. These programs helped the people of Idaho survive the Great Depression, but it took another world war to totally revive the economy.

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