Updates aimed at deepening traveler engagement and boosting rural tourism
By Reader Staff
Commuters and roadtrippers should expect to spot something new on Idaho’s roads and scenic byways as the Idaho Transportation Department begins rolling out updated historic highway markers.
The statewide project will begin in North Idaho and move down the state with an aim to better teach Idaho’s history and connect travelers with each area’s rural communities.
“We are excited to partner with others to ensure that these roadside displays reflect the beauty and rich history of Idaho,” stated Mike Johnson, the division administrator for engineering services at ITD.
ITD and the Idaho State Historical Society have partnered to design and update the signs, incorporating images of state symbols like the Mountain Bluebird, up-to-date historical information and QR codes.
Created by Visit Idaho using part of a $3.2 million federal economic development grant, the codes and corresponding app will give visitors additional information about each site and display nearby activities and amenities. The app will be available in 10 languages, including English, to make Idaho’s history and resources more accessible.
“This project aligns perfectly with many of the initiatives Visit Idaho is focused on,” according to Visit Idaho Tourism Manager Natalie Jushinski. “Idaho’s diverse and often rural landscape is filled with communities that we know travelers will enjoy once they go beyond the destinations they already know. We’re excited to incorporate the QR codes as an easy, accessible tool to help travelers find more to explore in our beautiful state.”
The goal of the multi-year project is to spark curiosity and encourage exploration of Idaho’s rural communities, helping increase overnight stays and drive economic impact across the state. The revitalized markers and app are also intended to provide new opportunities for education, storytelling and visitor engagement for all travelers — both residents and visitors.
“We are grateful to be a part of the Historical Highway Marker Program, which continues to create a powerful sense of place for Idahoans,” stated ISHS Executive Director Janet Gallimore. “These markers share the stories that make the Gem State truly unique — stories that have been updated and thoroughly researched at a local level, deepening our understanding of Idaho’s vibrant history. They remind us of where we’ve been, connect us to one another and strengthen the sense of community that defines our state.”
ITD anticipates that it will update and install all markers in North Idaho’s District 1 — which includes Bonner and Boundary counties — by the end of 2025 without affecting traffic. The entire project will take until 2027 to complete.
For more information on Idaho’s history or tourism, visit history.idaho.gov or visitidaho.org, respectively.
