The City of Boise Idaho...
As we neared Boise (in 1906) the scene changed. The fields were fresh
and green, the orchards were luxuriant, the town resplendent with lawns
and flowers, shrubs and trees, the houses were up-to-date... Boise had
a pride in its town and people and culture, and could rightly be called
the Athens of the sage-brush.
- From Clarence Darrow, The story of My Life (1932)
Another Famous American Said this about Idaho and I believe both men's
observations are as true today as they were in their time: "Through
out Idaho are men (and women) who have settled in the state and natives
who refuse to leave simply because the side rewards of living there are
greater than the greater money they might make outside. They like small
towns and small city associations, and they like free space, they fill
their eyes with grandeur and there ears with the great silence of the
mountains."
- From A. B. Gutherie, Jr. "Idaho" Holiday(May
1954)
The following is intended to give some background information into the what, where, and whys of Boise Idaho and how it came to look as it does today.
A combination of factors led to the formation of the city of Boise Idaho, as we know it today! The original use of the name was for a Hudson Bay Company fort, old Fort Boise, which was located about 40 miles downstream from present day Boise Idaho, abandoned because of numerous Indian attacks in the 1850's. When gold was discovered in the 1860's in the mountains east of Boise a new fort was built on the site of present day Boise. The new town site of Boise Idaho grew rapidly because of the gold rush and the Oregon trail came out of the desert into the valley on the east side of town. One story has the French leader of the trailees saying Les Bois, Les Bois. Les Bois or Boise, Boise, Boise (which means trees, trees, trees). What he really meant was water, water, water as the section of trail from here to three mile crossing was one of the driest on the entire Oregon trail. Because of these factors Boise became, and still is, a vibrant commercial center.
The elevation of Boise Idaho is roughly 2500 feet, the average summer temperature in Boise is just over ninety degrees and the winter temperatures average around 30 degrees. I like to characterize the weather as follows, four true seasons with summer a little too hot(108 degrees is about the hottest it gets) and winter a little to cold(Boise hasn't been below zero since 1991).
In 1864, Boise was incorporated and made the Capitol of the Territory of Idaho. The beautiful capitol building was completed in 1886. In 1890 Idaho became a state and Boise the capitol of the great state of Idaho, whose motto is "esto perpetua", - may she live forever.
The economy has changed over the years from a mainly agricultural and timber economy, to incorporated high tech, big business and construction. The first of 3 dams was finished in about 1915, which led to the flowering of the desert from sagebrush to corn, wheat, hay, and other farm commodities. They are also the reason Boise Idaho has such cheap water for non-potable uses. In the early part of the century, big corporations such as Boise Cascade, Morrison Knudsen, and Albertson's all had a hand in developing or little town into the great city of Boise Idaho you see today. In 1976 Hewlett Packer opened their printer division here and Boise enjoyed its first taste of what high tech can mean economically as housing prices started to rise. In 1987 Micron (makes RAM for your computer) opened and we saw a doubling of home prices in 8-10 years. The Boise Idaho area, also know as the "Treasure Valley" has continued to grow, prosper, and diversify while keeping its safe middle class feel. The state government and Boise State University contribute directly and indirectly to Boise being vibrant and alive.
Boise has too many amenities to go into depth about, but here is a list of a few: Boise Art Museum (BAM), Idaho historical museum in Boise, Zoo Boise, The Boise public library system, Ballet Idaho, Idaho Opera, Boise philharmonic, Boise Little Theater, Bogus Basin (our local ski hill which is 16 miles from downtown Boise), Boise State University, Idaho Ice World which is owned by the city of Boise, Imax, Idaho Shakespeare Festival located in East Boise, Boise Consumer Co-op(our trader Joes), Concert halls and events centers which include the Boise center on the grove, The Velma Morrison Performing arts Center, Taco Bell Arena which is located on the campus of Boise State University, The Idaho Center (which is 16 miles west of downtown Boise).
Hopefully this gives you a glimpse into Boise Idaho and some of the great things Boise has to offer. If you have more questions about Boise Idaho Real Estate, be sure to visit the Boise Idaho real estate page here on my web site. What it was and what it is! Feel free to call if you have additional questions about anything listed here or just in general at (888) 722-6453.
Capital City