MCGRANE: Are You Smarter Than a Fourth Grader?

By Secretary of State Phil McGrane

Highlights from the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office
July 31, 2026

Are You Smarter Than a Fourth Grader?

If you want to know what makes Idaho special, its beauty, its history, and its personality, just ask a fourth grader.

When student groups visit the Capitol, one of my favorite traditions is quizzing them on Idaho’s state symbols. Over the years, state symbols have been one of the ways Idaho students have successfully participated in the legislative process and left their mark on our state’s history. Idaho’s students advocated for many of Idaho’s symbols, from the Appaloosa as our state horse to Oryctodromeus as our state dinosaur. And just this year, a determined nine-year-old from Twin Falls successfully championed hunting as Idaho’s official state sport.

This November, it’s our turn. Idaho voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on a non-binding advisory question regarding a proposed state gun. Keep an eye out for more information in the upcoming Idaho Voter Pamphlet.

To celebrate all of Idaho’s official symbols, we recently launched a new State Symbols webpage at sos.idaho.gov, featuring photographs, history, and fun facts behind every one of them. I encourage you to take a few minutes to explore it.

I like to say I’m a proud fourth-generation Idaho history nerd, so here are a few of my favorite facts about Idaho symbols:

The Oryctodromeus – State Dinosaur
If you picture dinosaurs as giant, roaring reptiles, Idaho’s state dinosaur might surprise you. About the size of a Golden Retriever, the Oryctodromeus lived in burrows, likely raised its young, and roamed what is now eastern Idaho.

The Appaloosa – State Horse
Idaho’s state horse gets its name from the Palouse country of northern Idaho and neighboring Washington, where the Nez Perce Tribe developed these remarkable horses for intelligence, endurance, and speed. Today, the Appaloosa is recognized around the world, but its story begins right here in the Northwest.

The Star Garnet – State Gem
Idaho’s state gemstone belongs to one of the world’s most exclusive clubs. Star garnets are found naturally in only two places on Earth: Idaho and India. That’s pretty remarkable.

The Syringa – State Flower
Idaho’s state flower has a story all its own. Meriwether Lewis first documented it during the Lewis and Clark Expedition, giving it the scientific name Philadelphus lewisii. Long before that, Native American tribes used their strong shrub branches to make bows, arrows, and cradles.

The Symbol That Almost Was

Not every proposal becomes law. In 2012, lawmakers considered making the Blue Heeler Idaho’s official state dog. Supporters praised the breed’s ranching heritage and work ethic, but legislators ultimately decided that Idaho shouldn’t choose one favorite breed.

It wasn’t the only proposed symbol that failed to make the final cut. Others include the:

• Silver-Tipped Sagebrush as the state bush.
• Western Rattlesnake as the state reptile.
• Rainbow Trout and White Sturgeon, two other fish that were proposed before the Cutthroat Trout was chosen.

Idaho’s state symbols tell the story of our people, our landscapes, and the traditions that have shaped this remarkable place. They also remind us that some of Idaho’s best ideas have come from Idaho students.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to explore Idaho’s state symbols at sos.idaho.gov. You might discover something you never knew about our state, and maybe even find out whether you’re smarter than a fourth grader.

Phil McGrane

About Phil McGrane

Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022. McGrane holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.

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