Idaho has celebrated a couple of centennials. More people will remember the Idaho State Centennial that took place in 1990, but there was an earlier one celebrating Idaho’s Territorial Centennial in 1963.
To make sure visitors to the state were aware of the celebration, the Idaho Transportation Department painted a red “carpet” on the first 80 feet of inbound lanes on the major highways entering the state, with the message “Idaho Welcomes You” painted onto the red. On the outgoing lanes, 10-foot-high letters reading “Hurry Back” bid travelers adieu.
In the photo below, Idaho Governor Robert E. Smylie is giving the last touches of paint to one of 25 3’x5’ signs installed at the entry points for that year. He would do some more pretend painting on US 95 at the top of Lewiston Hill on the Idaho/Washington border May 3, 1963 to kick off the Territorial Centennial.
To make sure visitors to the state were aware of the celebration, the Idaho Transportation Department painted a red “carpet” on the first 80 feet of inbound lanes on the major highways entering the state, with the message “Idaho Welcomes You” painted onto the red. On the outgoing lanes, 10-foot-high letters reading “Hurry Back” bid travelers adieu.
In the photo below, Idaho Governor Robert E. Smylie is giving the last touches of paint to one of 25 3’x5’ signs installed at the entry points for that year. He would do some more pretend painting on US 95 at the top of Lewiston Hill on the Idaho/Washington border May 3, 1963 to kick off the Territorial Centennial.
Photo courtesy of the Idaho Transportation Department digital collection.
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