Boise in Ada County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Oregon Trail Monument

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 22, 2013

1. Oregon Trail Monument Marker

Inscription. Placed here by Ezra Meeker on May 9, 1906
Pioneer • Preservationist • Visionary
Ezra Meeker was largely responsible for locating and preserving the Old Oregon Trail. To commemorate the centennial of this monument, a time capsule of artifacts was placed beneath its base to be opened after 100 years.
Rededicated July 27, 2006
James E. Risch • Governor of Idaho
David H. Bieter • Mayor of Boise
2006 Meeker Monument Centennial Committee

Erected 2006.

Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Trail, and the Time Capsules series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 9, 1906.

Location. 43° 37.02′ N, 116° 11.943′ W. Marker is in Boise, Idaho, in Ada County. It is at the intersection of West Jefferson Street and North 6th Street, on the right when traveling west on West Jefferson Street. Marker & monument are located beside the sidewalk at the southeast corner of the Idaho State Capitol grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 West Jefferson Street, Boise ID 83720, United States

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of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and monument is on Idaho’s Snake River Plain.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Operation Desert Storm Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Idaho's Liberty Bell Replica (about 300 feet away); Frank Steunenberg (about 300 feet away); Sawtooth National Recreation Area (about 400 feet away); Snake River Birds of Prey Area (about 400 feet away); Hells Canyon (about 400 feet away); Lumberjack to Statesman (about 400 feet away); Central Idaho Wilderness Act (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boise.

More about this marker. Marker is a large metal plaque mounted horizontally at ground level beside the original Oregon Trail marker, which is a 6-foot tall granite obelisk.

Also see . . . Meeker Oregon Trail Monument. Ezra Meeker was born in Ohio on December 29, 1830. In 1852, at age 21, he set out with his young

Oregon Trail Monument (<i>at base of original 1906 marker; Idaho State Capitol in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 22, 2013

2. Oregon Trail Monument (at base of original 1906 marker; Idaho State Capitol in background)

wife Eliza and infant son, following the Oregon Trail to Washington Territory. He later established the town of Puyallup, becoming the first mayor. Ezra became a successful hop grower and exporter. By 1880 he was the wealthiest man in the Pacific Northwest. An infestation of black aphids reversed his fortune and by 1894 he was penniless. In January 1906, Ezra Meeker, age 75, assembled a wagon, team of oxen, a driver, and his dog Jim. He set out to locate and mark the entire Oregon Trail to its source at Independence, Missouri. (Submitted on January 12, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Original 1906 Marker detail<br>(<i>top on left; bottom on right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 22, 2013

3. Original 1906 Marker detail
(top on left; bottom on right)

Pioneer
Monument
Erected May 3
1906 by 2777
school children
of Boise to
perpetuate the
memory of the
Old Oregon
Trail
and to honor
the pioneer who
established the
first American
government of
Oregon

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,841 times since then and 188 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 12, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.