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 these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. 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. Marker 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 of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Idaho's Liberty Bell Replica (about

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300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frank Steunenberg (about 300 feet away); Abraham Lincoln and Idaho (about 400 feet away); The Chico Club (approx. ¼ mile away); Heath Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Grove Street Warehouse (approx. ¼ mile away); The O'Farrell Cabin (approx. ¼ mile away); The Basque Center (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boise.

More about this monument. 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 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

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)

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 November 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 802 times since then and 107 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.