Idaho’s Historic Highway Markers get modern makeover

Travelers along Idaho’s roads and scenic byways will soon see the first of the new Idaho Historic Highway Markers. 

These refreshed signs combine storytelling with modern technology, offering visitors a more immersive experience and a stronger connection to the communities they pass through, a press release said.

“This project aligns perfectly with many of the initiatives Visit Idaho is focused on," said Natalie Jushinski, tourism manager at Visit Idaho. "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."

All updated markers and QR codes in ITD’s District 1 in North Idaho are expected to be installed by the end of 2025, with no impact on traffic. The remaining markers and QR codes will be installed in phases by district through 2027.

The initiative combines two projects across three state agencies. The Idaho Transportation Department and Idaho State Historical Society are partnering to update all highway markers with new historical research and signage. 

In tandem with these efforts, Visit Idaho is developing QR codes to be installed at each marker location, connecting travelers to an app that offers additional content about the site and nearby activities and amenities. The app will also translate to nine other languages. 

The digital component is funded in part by a $3.2 million federal economic development grant awarded to ITD in 2022.

The goal is to restore the historic markers to spark curiosity about the state’s expansive history and drive interaction with the app to encourage exploration of Idaho’s rural communities, helping increase overnight stays and drive economic impact across Idaho, the release said.

 “We are grateful to be a part of the Historical Highway Marker program, which continues to create a powerful sense of place for Idahoans," said Janet Gallimore, executive director at ISHS. "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."

    An image of Idaho's state bird, the Mountain Bluebird, is displayed on one of the historic markers that will be placed along Idaho highways.