...both south and west of downtown in subdivisions like Brookdale Estates, Castle Peak, Fall River Estates and Lava Springs.

Nampa Idaho is the largest and the fastest growing city in Canyon County. The population of Nampa was 81,557 as of the 2010 census making it the State of Idaho’s second largest city. Nampa is located about 20 miles west of Boise along Interstate 84, and six miles west of Meridian. The name “Nampa” is thought to be derived from a Shoshoni word meaning either moccasin or footprint. Nampa is blessed with friendly people and a safe atmosphere. Boasting an excellent quality of life which includes tremendous recreation, schools, weather and medical care. From the state’s best largemouth bass fishing on Lake Lowell to the Annual Rodeo, the world famous Snake River Stampede, there are lots of fun events and activities year round.

Nampa began its life in the early 1880s when the Oregon Short Line Railroad built a line from Wyoming to Oregon which passed through Nampa. As new amenities were added to the town, Nampa continued its growth and was incorporated in 1890. In addition to other historical buildings located in the downtown core, Nampa has a charming railroad depot, which adds character to the town itself.

Deer Flat National Wildlife refuge at Lake Lowell, was constructed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation between 1906 and 1911. Known locally as Lake Lowell, it is surrounded by the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1909 by President Theodore Roosevelt. The refuge is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  New York Canal water is diverted from the Boise River a few miles below Lucky Peak Dam. The Idaho State School and Hospital was built northwest of Nampa in 1910, for the state’s developmentally challenged population, and opened in 1918. Nampa held an annual harvest festival and farmers’ market from about 1908, a time of celebration and community fun. From this festival emerged the Snake River Stampede Rodeo in 1937, which continues to this day. It is one of the top twelve rodeos in the pro rodeo circuits.

A local congregation of the Church of the Nazarene built a small elementary school in 1913, later growing to Northwest Nazarene College in 1915 and finally to Northwest Nazarene University. The university currently has a student body of 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Karcher Mall opened in 1965, the first indoor shopping mall in the Treasure Valley. In recent years the commercial growth has been staggering with the addition of everything from a Costco, Edwards Theatres complex, Home Depot and many other big box retail outlets that you would expect in a much larger town. The Idaho Press-Tribune is the local newspaper for the Canyon County area.