November 2010

Levi and Catharine Coffin were legendary in helping many former slaves escape to freedom in the North. Levi is often referred to as the President of the Underground Railroad. Life for a runaway slave was full of hazards. The journey to freedom meant traveling only a few miles at night, using the North Star as a map and trying to avoid search parties. Often, escaped slaves would hide in homes or on the property of antislavery supporters.

These stops to freedom were called Underground Railroad stations because they resembled stops a train would make between destinations. To the thousand of escaped slaves, an eight-room Federal style brick home in Newport (Fountain City), Indiana, became a safe haven on their journey to Canada. This was the home of Levi and Catharine Coffin, North Carolina Quakers who opposed slavery. During the 20 years they lived in Newport, the Coffins helped more than 2,000 slaves reach safety. The Coffin house was purchased in 1967 by the State of Indiana. The house was restored and then opened to the public in 1970. The site is a registered National Historic Landmark and is operated by the Levi Coffin House Association.

On Highway 12 near Kamiah a sign at milepost 68 notes that the Lewis and Clark expedition spent 3 weeks among the Nez Perce in late spring 1806 waiting for the snow to melt in the Bitterroots so that the expedition could continue east. Also called Camp Chopunnish (a word Lewis used for the Ni Mii Pu) or Camp Kamiah. The actual camp site is on private land.

Features 1844 Greek Revival home of James F.D. Lanier, gift shop, recreated formal gardens, public restrooms. The Mansion, referred to as the “crown jewel” of Madison’s Historic District, is a National Historic Landmark. Formal Gardens to the South of the Mansion recreate the late-nineteenth century appearance of this section of the property, with authentic plant materials and other landscape features.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition, which occurred from 1804 to 1806, was one of the most dramatic and significant episodes in the history of the United States. It stands, incomparably, as an epic journey in the exploration of the American West. The Idaho portion of the trail, which is on a tree-lined ridge high above the Lochsa River, represents the most difficult part of the Corps of Discovery's trek across the western territory to discover a passage to the Pacific Ocean.

Many residences and other buildings were moved from mining boomtown to mining boomtown during the late 19th century and early 1900s in this manner. The Roberts House is a rare example of Gothic Revival architecture in Nevada, and the oldest extant house in Carson City. Typical Gothic Revival elements of the Roberts House include its gingerbread bargeboard, lancet windows and a steeply-pitched roof. Roberts was born in Illinois in 1827, came to California during the gold rush and lived in various California locations until 1857 when he settled in Nevada. Roberts fought in the Pyramid Lake Battle of 1860--one of a series of conflicts between native American Indian groups and new settlers and miners during which more European Americans died than in any prior American engagement with Indians in the far West.

The museum has 25 legendary aircraft on outdoor display, spanning from WWII to the Gulf Wars. The indoor exhibits feature: aircraft armaments, uniforms, war prizes, cockpits, trainers, models, art, engines, survival gear, hands-on displays and stories of heroism in the skies. For a great view of the entire aircraft display, visitors are invited to climb the five-story Cold War-era Observation Tower.

The facility has a Memorial Walk, public restrooms, an information kiosk and is open daily. Tours available with advanced appointment only. 

Located in the heart of downtown Boise and constructed in the classical style of our nation's Capitol, this majestic structure was begun in 1905 and completed in 1912. East and west wings were added in 1919 and 1920. Exterior walls were built with Boise's native sandstone. Marble from Alaska, Georgia, Vermont and Italy complete the interior structure, which is topped by a 5' 7" copper eagle. Inside are displays of Idaho's history and major industries. The Idaho State Capitol Commission has completed a master plan for the building's restoration, and is in the process of repairing the exterior envelop of the structure.

With an abundance of silver from the booming Comstock Lode, it was determined that Carson City would make an ideal location for a U.S. Mint, one of seven buildings serving as mints in the U.S. over the last 200 years. The mint at Carson City was a physical manifestation of the success of the Comstock Lode since it showed Federal recognition of the value of the mines located in the "hinterlands" of Nevada. Although the Carson City Mint was established by Congress in 1863, the Civil War delayed its construction. Ground-breaking ceremonies took place on July 18, 1866. The Mint opened in December 1869, with Abraham Curry, founder of Carson City, as the first superintendent. Beginning in 1870, eight coin denominations bearing the mint mark "CC" were produced until June 1, 1893. More than $49,000,000 of gold and silver was coined here. Coin collectors are very familiar with the desirable "CC" marks on gold coins such as Double Eagles ($20), Gold Eagles ($10) and Half Eagles ($5). Of course, silver dollars, half dollars, quarters, 20-cent pieces and dimes were also minted from metal mined on the Comstock.

The Smoky Valley Roller Mill was built in 1898.  Unlike a grist mill which uses stones, a roller mill uses a series of corrugated  rollers to grind grain.  This type of mill, know as "the grand daddy of the modern mill" became important in this area with the introduction of hard winter wheat in 1870s.  Until 1955, the mill operated as a business, sending flour to places around the world.

The mill was originally water powered by turbines turning horizontally in the river.  In 1940 the dam washed out.  Fortunately, though, by the 1930s the owners of the mill had already converted it to electric power.  (The housing for the turbines and the remains of the dam can be seen behind the mill.  Two of the turbines can be seen in the courtyard beside the mill.)

Four to six people were needed to operate the mill.  It processed 30-35 bushels of wheat per hour, which yielded 1260 to 1470 pounds of flour per hour.

Efforts to restore the mill to operating condition began in the 1960s and the restoration process was completed in 1981.