STATE OF IDAHO 1890-1899
| 1890 | Idaho population: 88,548. Idaho admitted to the Union as the 43rd state on July 3, signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison. Great Northern Railroad completed across the northern part of the state. Congress passes Federal Forest Reserve Act. First legislative and statewide elections held. First session of the Idaho Legislature meets. |
| 1891 | Great Seal of the State of Idaho, a design drawn by Miss Emma Edwards, with the Latin motto "Esto Perpetua" adopted. Idaho forest reserves created. Boise's electric street railway commences operation on August 22. College of Idaho opens in Caldwell October 9. Canyon and Alta counties created. President Benjamin Harrison plants Water Oak on capitol grounds. |
| 1892 | High freight rates and low silver prices close Coeur d'Alene mines January 16. The Farmers Alliance and the Knights of Labor organize the Idaho Populist Party in Boise May 26. Martial law commenced in the Coeur d'Alenes on July 14 following the dynamiting of the Frisco Mill near Burke. University of Idaho opens October 3. Idaho Education Association organized. Timber and Stone Act passes Congress, paving way for commercial timber industry in Idaho. |
| 1893 | The "Panic of '93" lead and silver prices collapsed, Coeur d'Alene mines shut down. Western Federation of Miners formed. Office of State Mine Inspector established. Idaho State Medical Society founded September 12. State Wool Growers Association started at Mountain Home September 25. First state game laws enacted. State Normal Schools (Colleges of Education) established at Lewiston and Albion. Legislature enacts state wagon roads to connect north and south Idaho. Bannock and Fremont counties created. |
| 1894 | Albion Normal School opens January 8. Nez Perce Indian Reservation allotted to the Indians. Congress passes Carey Act, makes possible reclamation of Snake River Valley. Gold discovered in the Thunder Mountain country. |
| 1895 | Comprehensive irrigation law, providing for uniform use of public water, enacted on March 9. Lincoln and Blaine counties created. |
| 1896 | Lewiston Normal School dedicated June 3. Idaho becomes first in the nation in production of lead. Montpelier bank robbed by Butch Cassidy August 13. Idaho Legislature calls on Congress to extend the right to vote to women. Idaho Republicans split, Silver Republicans endorse William Jennings Bryan for President. Clashes between sheep and cattle industries culminate in the murder of sheepherders allegedly by "Diamondfield" Jack Davis. Cassia County created. |
| 1897 | President Grover Cleveland establishes Bitterroot Forest Reserve which includes much of north Idaho. Legislature acts to protect bison within the state. State Board of Medical Examiners established to regulate the practice of medicine. |
| 1898 | First Idaho regiment of military volunteers called into service for the Philippine insurrection of the Spanish-American War. Fort Hall Indian Reservation allotted to the Indians in parcels of 160 acres each, with the balance to be sold for the Indians' benefit. |
| 1899 | Position of State Fish and Game Warden created. Governor Steunenberg calls in federal troops to suppress riot in the Coeur d'Alene mining district following the dynamiting of the Bunker Hill and Sullivan concentrator. |
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