Photo Courtesy of Boise State Special Collections Office

Grace Edgington Jordan was born in Wasco, Oregon on April 16th 1892.Her father was a prominent country doctor while her mother was a local school teacher. She attended the University of Oregon where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in English. While attending the University of Oregon, she also became an active member of the Phi Beta Kappa sorority. Jordan began her career as a freelance journalist eventually working as the society editor of the Eugene Morning register. She also wrote brief pieces for many other Northwest magazines. On December 30th, 1924, she married Leonard B. Jordan. In 1933 the Jordan family moved to Idaho setting up residence at a ranch in Kirkwood Bar.Throughout her illustrious life she penned several novels and is credited with introducing Idaho life to much of the nation. Below is a brief compilation of her works:

• Home below Hells Canyon (1954)

• Canyon Boy (1960)

• The King’s Pines of Idaho (1961)

• The Unintentional Senator (1972)

• The Country Editor (1976)

Her Husband Len B. Jordan, served in the Idaho State Senate, and was elected Governor of Idaho in 1950. Accompanying her husband to the state capitol Boise, Grace served as the state’s first lady from 1950 to 1954. When Len Jordan was appointed to fill the senate seat vacated by Henry Dworshak, Grace moved with him to Washington D.C. From there, she continued writing her popular columns which ran in Idaho for many years.