Historical Significance
How the legacies of three legendary Idahoans are honored at The H5 Ranch,
as well as a few others…
James Castle
Quincy D. Howell
William E. Borah
Quincy Douglas Howell
(1908-1992)
Creator of the Official Gem Cut of Idaho: “The Idaho Cut”
The man who started it all. The original patriarch of the Howell family.
Quincy D Howell, inventor of the Idaho Cut, was born into poverty in 1908, lived through WWI, the Depression, and served in WWII in the Army Air Corps. Quincy learned to facet gems before retiring from the US Air Force as a Lt. Colonel. It was an art form particularly suited to his meticulous and experimental nature.
Quincy faceted for over 30 years and cut over 6,500 stones. He won the National Championship in 1970, was in National Geographic Magazine in 1974, and was considered one of the top five experts in the faceting world. Quincy invented and named many unique “cuts”, which is an arrangement of the precise and intended facets that reflect light through the stone in infinite combinations.
It is the fleeting pursuit of the artist to arrange the facets in the most beautiful way possible. After completing the invention of his Masterwork, Quincy Howell named it the Idaho Cut, a fitting tribute to the Gem State, its people, and a remarkable gift of excellence that is uniquely Idaho.
In 2021, three of Quincy Howell's grandchildren and one of his sons started the legislative process to adopt the Idaho Cut as the official cut for faceted gemstones for the State of Idaho, believing this would strengthen the heritage of this great state and provide a pattern of beauty for all Idahoans to enjoy. Because Idaho is considered the Gem State, it is only fitting that the Star Garnet (adopted in 1967 as the Idaho State Gem) finally has a little company.
Today, at The H5 Ranch, you can read about and relish his legacy in the 50’s diner dedicated to Quincy D Howell: Q’s Diner.
The Howell family also continues the legacy of Quincy and the Idaho Cut through one of The H5 Ranch’s provided add ons: Idaho Cut Jewelry. With this add on, we commission Allan Beck, a student of Quincy, to cut various stone types and settings to provide clients with a piece of Idahoan history they will wear forever.
Quincy and his wife Tej Howell
Senate Bill 1311, signed by Governor Brad Little which states the Idaho Cut is an official state symbol
Quincy’s National Championship Trophy Award 1970
A collection of Q’s stones. He wrote on and detailed everything
The Idaho Cut design and specs
Many different types of cuts and stones by Q
The Idaho Cut in Pink Tourmaline
Link to Idaho.gov website with all the state emblems, including the Idaho Cut
James Castle
(1899-1977)
The most exceptional artist that Idaho ever produced, grew up on the very same property of The H5 Ranch
James Castle created thousands of artworks during his lifetime. As a deaf and mute man and a self-taught artist, he was afforded the rare opportunity to focus on a daily art making practice while he lived with his family. He and his family grew up in great poverty, forcing James to pursue art through unconventional means. The majority of his art is made with recycled cartons and papers, and his scribes were whittled down sticks. Instead of ink he had to utilize soot and bind it with saliva to create his works.
Castle’s art was known only to his family and friends until 1951 when his nephew shared some of his uncle’s drawings with faculty at his college in Oregon. The interest was immediate. Soon Castle’s art was displayed in galleries in Portland and in Idaho. Sales of Castle’s works allowed his family to buy James the Cozy Cottage trailer in 1963. That same year his art was exhibited at the Boise Art Museum, the highest honor Castle received for his work during his lifetime.
Public interest in his art has grown exponentially in the last twenty-five years, including with recent major exhibitions in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Madrid. As people around the world experience Castle’s art, they engage with his exceptional vision of life in this place. The James Castle House in Boise stands today as a testament to the artist’s unique talent and artistic legacy.
The H5 Ranch is honored to be the caretakers of Castle’s original home, and we do our best to educate and inform everyone of this amazing story.
A collection of his self portrait style artworks
Cardboard creation of people wearing coats
Drawing of the first ever power lines in Garden Valley
Drawing of Charter Mountain on a recycled butter carton
Cardboard creation of a wild turkey
Drawing of an overlook of southern Garden Valley. (This spot is currently a wedding ceremony location on The H5 Ranch)
William E. Borah
(1865-1940)
A series of fortunate events allowed the H5 library to obtain and preserve the furnishings of a national icon
Senator William Borah was affectionately known as the "Lion of Idaho" during his 33 years in the United States Senate. Elected Republican in 1907, Borah established himself as a prominent progressive with a fiercely independent spirit. This superb orator, who had a knack for courting publicity, was once named by Time magazine as the "most famed senator of the century."
Borah’s importance comes from his leading role in creating two constitutional amendments: establishing the graduated income tax and the direct election of senators. As a 10-year chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Borah also shaped American foreign policy in the period between the world wars. An isolationist, Borah helped organize opposition to the Treaty of Versailles, which the Senate resoundingly rejected in 1919. In January 1940, Borah suffered a brain hemorrhage and died. His funeral service was held in the U.S. Senate Chamber.
-Excerpt from United States Senate.gov
Today, at The H5 Ranch, we have fully renewed and reupholstered William Borah’s complete dining room set and a few other furnishings for our conference room in the H5 Library. Now all executive meetings, whether big or small, will echo the importance of the great Idahoan before them that helped shape this magnificent state into what it is today.
William Edgar Borah (Late 1920s)
Burt Matson
(1915-1972)
Grandfather of H5 Ranch owner, Sue Howell
The Groom’s space, Gambles, is dedicated to the life and legacy of Burt Matson, the grandfather of Sue Howell. Burt was an inspirational entrepreneur in the 1950s. For years, he owned and operated the Gambles store, serving the community of Spearfish, South Dakota. The room is decorated with Gambles memorabilia in honor of his family legacy.
At The H5 Ranch, we honor our roots so that the legacies of great people may never die.
A hand drawn recreation of Burt Matson in front of his very own Gambles store.
Sue Howell
(1965-Present)
One of the current owners of The H5 Ranch, and newest member of the “Ribbon of Jewels”
Sue Howell is an Idahoan who raised five sons in Boise and is known by all for her kind spirit and gentle nature. She has been active in the church and community her entire life. Sue also spent 30 years teaching junior high science and volunteering in grade schools in Idaho. Her commitment to a high level of education is unwavering, and she is well-known to past students, friends, and associates for her empathy and patience.
With her husband Aaron, she helped found Northwest Lineman College and was the primary architect of its educational philosophies, which have improved training and education in the power industry nationwide.
In 2018, Aaron decided to create and dedicate a park along the Boise River to not only his wife, but one of the most exemplary Idahoan women of all time.
Sue will now join the “Ribbon of Jewels” parks of Boise. Which is a group of parks along the Boise River, named after iconic Idahoan women. With Sue Howell is Anne Morrison, Julia Davis, Dona Larsen, Atla Harris, Bernardine Quinn, Bethine Church, Esther Simplot, Golda Harris, Kathryn Albertson, Kristin Armstrong, and Marianne Williams. If you’re from the treasure valley, most of those names ring a bell.
This park is still undergoing construction, these things take a lot more time than you’d think. But don’t worry, we’ll all be able to enjoy this park soon, just have a little patience!
Aaron and Sue Howell, Owners of The H5 Ranch