You probably know that Idaho celebrated its 100th birthday in 1990. Mickey Mouse celebrated his 60th about the same time. And, yes, there is a connection between Idaho and Mickey.
Lillian Marie Bounds was born in Spalding and grew up in Lapwai. She attended elementary school there, then later moved to Lewiston. She got her big break in Hollywood. Miss Bounds was "discovered" there by Walt Disney, but not in the usual way. She did not become a star at Disney Studios, where she worked as a secretary and an illustrator. She became Walt Disney's wife.
Walt Disney and Lillian Marie Bounds were married in Lewiston, Idaho July 13, 1925. That was just about the time Disney was creating his most famous character, Mickey Mouse. He had planned to call the famous rodent Mortimer Mouse. His Idaho wife changed his mind, and he changed the name... to Mickey.
From humble beginnings in a converted California garage, Mickey Mouse created an entertainment empire for the Disneys, from Disneyland on the West Coast, to Walt Disney World in Florida, with motion picture and recording companies in between.
Lillian Disney didn’t forget her Idaho roots. She was well known for her philanthropy in her hometown of Lapwai, and she was an important part of Idaho entertainment. Mrs. Disney and her two daughters, Sharon and Diane, owned Retlaw Enterprises, which included KLEW-TV in Lewiston, and KIDK-TV in Idaho Falls, as well as nine other television stations out of state. Retlaw, by the way, is Walter spelled backwards. A tip of the hat to the man who invented the mouse, from the lady who named the mouse Mickey.
Lillian Marie Bounds was born in Spalding and grew up in Lapwai. She attended elementary school there, then later moved to Lewiston. She got her big break in Hollywood. Miss Bounds was "discovered" there by Walt Disney, but not in the usual way. She did not become a star at Disney Studios, where she worked as a secretary and an illustrator. She became Walt Disney's wife.
Walt Disney and Lillian Marie Bounds were married in Lewiston, Idaho July 13, 1925. That was just about the time Disney was creating his most famous character, Mickey Mouse. He had planned to call the famous rodent Mortimer Mouse. His Idaho wife changed his mind, and he changed the name... to Mickey.
From humble beginnings in a converted California garage, Mickey Mouse created an entertainment empire for the Disneys, from Disneyland on the West Coast, to Walt Disney World in Florida, with motion picture and recording companies in between.
Lillian Disney didn’t forget her Idaho roots. She was well known for her philanthropy in her hometown of Lapwai, and she was an important part of Idaho entertainment. Mrs. Disney and her two daughters, Sharon and Diane, owned Retlaw Enterprises, which included KLEW-TV in Lewiston, and KIDK-TV in Idaho Falls, as well as nine other television stations out of state. Retlaw, by the way, is Walter spelled backwards. A tip of the hat to the man who invented the mouse, from the lady who named the mouse Mickey.
Lillian with her husband and the mouse.
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