Do you enjoy learning fun facts as much as we do? If so, did you know that there are many celebrities and Olympic athletes from Idaho? The following list highlights some stars originally born and raised in small towns throughout the Gem State. This includes movie stars, famous artists, and well-known athletes. Read on for more information about these Idaho fun facts.

1. Picabo Street, Triumph
Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Have you ever heard of the small town of Triumph? If not, you aren’t alone. This town is about 12 miles north of Hailey. It's also Picabo Street's hometown - an American Olympic athlete and former World Cup alpine ski racer.
Triumph is a beautiful place to call home as it sits along the East Fork of the Big Wood River. It is a historic town that dates back to the 1880s and less than 100 people live in this Idaho small town year-round.
Triumph, ID 83333, USA
Lythosphere, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
2. Demi Moore, Hailey
Digitas Photos, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Demi Moore is one celebrity who didn’t grow up in Idaho but after spending some time in the Gem State, she now has a home in Hailey. She is an American actress who is known for her roles in “General Hospital,” “Ghost,” and “A Few Good Men.” Of course, she's an A-List celebrity with some famous ex-husbands too.
Hailey, Idaho is one of our favorite small towns in the Gem State. This town has a population of approximately 9,500 residents and is just a short drive from Ketchum and Sun Valley. The Big Wood River runs next to the town and offers countless outdoor activities like exploring the Sawtooth Botanical Garden and cycling along the Wood River Trail.
Hailey, ID 83333, USA
City of Hailey/Facebook
3. Harmon Killebrew, Payette
Baseball Digest, back cover, April 1962 issue./Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons
Harmon Killebrew became a well-known baseball star in the 1950s. He is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and played for 22 years in the major leagues.

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Killebrew grew up in Payette, a town that sits along the Idaho and Oregon state line and right along Highway 95. It is a lovely place to call home with approximately 7,400 residents. It’s one of those towns where you can enjoy a slower pace of life and friendly neighbors. There is also plenty to see and do in this part of the state.
Payette, ID 83661, USA
Ken Lund/Flickr
4. Ernest Hemingway, Sun Valley and Ketchum
Not specified, owned by John F. Kennedy library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
As we're sure you know, Ernest Hemingway is a well-known author who wrote novels like “The Old Man and the Sea.” He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 and the Nobel Prize in 1954. While he was not born and raised in the Sun Valley area, he made it his home later in his life and is buried in the Ketchum Cemetery.
The Sun Valley Resort and the small town of Ketchum are some of the most well-known areas in Idaho. People travel from all over the country to spend time here and rightly so. The area is beautiful, the outdoor recreational opportunities are endless, and the food scene is incredible.
Tetra Images/Tetra Images Via Getty Images
5. Jerry Kramer, Sandpoint
Jerry Kramer/Facebook
Gerald “Jerry” Kramer moved to Sandpoint, Idaho when he was a young boy. He grew up in the town, graduated from Sandpoint High School, played football at the University of Idaho, and went on to earn five NFL championships.
Located in northern Idaho, Sandpoint sits right along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. It is home to approximately 9,000 residents and is a small town we can’t get enough of. While there is plenty to do during the summer in Sandpoint, plan a visit during the winter — it’s magical.
Sandpoint, ID 83864, USA
Silvrshootr/E+ Via Getty Images

 

What other celebrities and Olympic athletes from Idaho are from small towns? Are there any that we missed? Please let us know in the following comments section.

If you enjoyed these fun facts, we think you’ll find these articles about unique things about Idaho and Idaho trivia interesting too. We also suggest visiting Wear Your Roots for merchandise all about state pride.

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Olympic Athletes from Idaho

Marla S. | May 22, 2024

What are some fun facts about Picabo Street?

Along with being one of the most well-known Olympic athletes from Idaho, here are some facts about Picabo Street:

  • Picabo Street was born on April 3, 1971.
  • Her parents let her decide her name when she was 3 years old. As a result, she was named after a village near her home in Idaho.
  • She won a total of two medals (including one gold medal) during her participation in the Olympics as an alpine ski racer.
  • In 2000, Street retired from international skiing competitions.
  • A wing in the local hospital of her hometown is named after her.

 

What are some of the best small towns in Idaho?

In addition to learning about where Picabo Street and other celebrities were born, check out the following overview of the best small towns in Idaho.

  • Moscow: Along with being home to the University of Idaho, this charming community is lovely weekend destination. museums, restaurants, and the infamous Latah Trail.
  • Challis: If you're near this tiny town of about 1,000 residents in Custer Country, we suggest hitting one of the local trails and planning a visit to the nearby hot springs.
  • Island Park: Aside from being very close to Yellowstone National Park, this small Idaho town of 300 is also a stunning natural paradise.
  • Swan Valley: This small Idaho town is the place to go if you're an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, looking for wildlife, and fishing.

 

For more information, check out our previous coverage of these charming Idaho towns.

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