About The Boise Area And
Local Resources
critical links
Boise's History
Nestled on a high desert plain in the shadow of the Rocky
Mountains with a pristine river flowing through its center,
Boise finds its roots from the gold rush days of the 1800s.
In 1834 Fort Boise, owned by the Hudson Bay Company, was established
by British fur traders. The fort, now known as Old Fort Boise,
was located at the mouth of the Boise River, 40 miles from
present day Boise. In 1854, due to frequent Indian raids, the
fort was abandoned. Despite this, the military desired to build
another fort in the area, but, before this plan could go into
effect, gold was discovered in the Boise Basin in 1862. It
was now necessary, more than ever, to protect the vast number
of travelers coming to the area. |
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On July 4th, 1863, the military chose a location for the new Fort
Boise and construction began soon afterward. A town site was located
next to the fort, and with the protection of the military, the town
grew quickly. A major reason for this growth, other than the gold
rush, was its location along the Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail was a thoroughfare for thousands of travelers heading
for the Oregon Territory. Of all the western roads, the Oregon Trail
was the longest at 2,020 miles. It began in Independence, Kansas
and ended at Oregon City, Oregon. Its route in Idaho began at the
Idaho-Wyoming border, crossed through Bear Valley, turned north toward
Fort Hall and then followed the Snake River until it reached the
Boise River. It followed the south side of the river winding through
what is now the southern part of Boise. To this day, wheel ruts can
still be seen along various spots of its path. |
Adding to this major thoroughfare were the routes to the Boise Basin
and Owyhee mines. These routes crossed the Oregon Trail at the Fort
Boise location. Because it was located at these major crossroads,
Boise became a prosperous commercial center.
In 1864, when the territorial legislature held its second session
in Lewiston, Boise was incorporated as a city and proclaimed the
capital of the Idaho Territory. This same year, on July 26, the Idaho
Statesman newspaper produced its first publication and became the
second newspaper in Idaho. The first was the Idaho World in Idaho
City.
After the gold rush, Boise's population declined from 1,658 citizens
in 1864 to 995 in 1870. With new construction, including the territorial
prison in 1869 and the U.S. Assay Office in 1872, Boise began to
grow again. The capitol building was completed in 1886 and in 1887
Boise built a streetcar system. In 1890, Idaho became a state.
In the early 1900s Boise once again enjoyed rapid growth. This growth
came with the expansion of irrigation in the valley in 1902. This
led to the construction of Arrowrock Dam, the tallest in the world
from 1915 to 1932.
In the late 1930s, Boise was graced with the massive migration of
Basques from their native home in the Western Pyrenees Mountains.
These proud people became sheepherders, a large industry at the time,
and gradually moved into the mainstream of city life in Boise, bringing
their colorful culture with them. Today Boise has the largest concentration
of Basques per capita outside the Pyrenees Mountains.
As the Great Depression ravaged many cities in the nation, Boise
enjoyed growth. And during World War II, multitudes of airmen trained
at Gowen Field, Boise's air base. |
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Today Boise is still the largest metropolitan community in the state
with over 185,000 residents. Numerous international, national, regional
and state corporations have their headquarters in Boise. Some of
these include Boise (formerly Boise Cascade), Simplot Corporation,
Albertsons, Micron and Washington Group International. Boise is the
hub of commerce, banking and government for the state and is located
midway between Salt Lake City, UT and Portland, OR.
Boise Area Median Home Sales Statistics Can Be Found Here.
Facts About The Area:
- Population: 534,100
- 75,000 people live downtown and near
downtown in the surrounding neighborhoods.
- Currently 44,000 employees work downtown. In over 300 public
and private businesses.
- Major Downtown Employers: JR Simplot Company – Agriculture
(Corp HQ); US Bank – Financial (Regional HQ); Boise Cascade
- Wood Products (Corp HQ); Idaho Power – Utility; Qwest – Telecommunications
(Regional HQ); Wells Fargo – Financial (Regional HQ);
Key Bank Corp – Financial (Regional HQ); CSHQA – Architects;
Idaho State Offices – Government; Ada County Courthouse – Government;
Boise City Offices – Government
- 103 retail shops - a great mix of
specialty stores, art galleries and much more.
- 82 restaurants & nightclubs -
including comedy, dance clubs, live music venues, and fine
dining.
- 57 Business & Retail Services
- 21 Arts & Entertainment Facilities
- One Major Downtown Department Store - Macys.
- 6,330 public parking spaces - 3,200 public
parking garage system & 3,000 street
metered spaces. First Hour Free in Public garage spaces. 20
minutes free parking at all Meters. Merchant tokens are available
for as low as $0.25 per hour.
- Short Term Customer public parking in 2004
was 548,216 parkers
- 5,000 seat Bank of America arena. Home of the Idaho
Steelheads professional hockey team, the Idaho Stampede
basketball team and today’s touring concert
acts .
local job listings
arts & entertainment
parks & recreation
ski resorts
Bogus
Basin Ski Resort
2405 Bogus Basin Rd.,
Boise Ph. 208.332.5151
(45 minutes outside of Boise)
Brundage
Mountain Ski Resort
McCall, Idaho Ph. 208.634.7462
Snow Report 800.255.7669
Grand
Targhee
Teton Mountain Range.
Located 87 miles from Idaho Falls.
Pomerelle
Mountain Resort
Albion, Idaho
Schweitzer
Mountain Resort
Sandpoint, Northern Idaho
Silver
Mountain
Kellogg, Northern Idaho
Soldier
Mountain
Central Idaho
10 miles N. of Fairfield on Hwy. 20
Sun
Valley
Ph. 800.786.8259
email ski@sunvalley.com
Tamarack
Council Mountain Range
Near Donnelly, Idaho
Current
Ski Conditions in Idaho
Accommodations
in Idaho
Driving
Directions and Maps!
The
Idaho Travel Guide
fishing / hunting
Cascade Lake, Cascade
Lucky Peak Reservoir
CJ Strike Reservoir
Snake River
Boise River
Idaho
Fish and Game
Boise National
Forest
Caribou National
Forest
Challis National Forest
Clearwater National Forest
Curlew National Grassland
Idaho Panhandle National
Forests: Coeur d'Alene, Kaniksu,
and St. Joe National Forests
Nez
Perce National
Forest
Payette National Forest
Salmon National
Forest
Sawtooth National Forest
Targhee National
Forest
Parks
Calendar
Reservations
Cabins & Yurts
Group
Facilities
State
Parks
A
to
Z
idaho
campgrounds
Sawtooth
Mountain
Guides
parks
Ann Morrison Park,
Americana Blvd.
Boise Julia Davis Park,
700 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise
Kathryn Albertson Park,
1000 block of Americana Blvd. Boise
Municipal Park,
500 S. Walnut St. Boise
Veterans Memorial Park,
960 Veterans Way Boise |
private golf
courses
Broadmore Country Club, Inc.
103 Shannon Nampa
208.466.1114
Crane Creek Country Club
500 W. Curling Dr. Boise
208.344.6529
Hillcrest Country Club
4610 Hillcrest Dr. Boise
208.343.5425
Plantation Golf Club
6515 W. State Boise
208.853.4440
Spurwing Country Club
6800 N. Spurwing Way, Meridian
208.887.1800
Terrace Lakes Resort
Garden Valley
208.462.3250
public golf courses
Boise Ranch Golf Course,
6501 S. Cloverdale Rd.
208.362.6501
Banbury
North Marypost Place, Eagle
208.939.3600
Centennial Golf Course,
Centennial Dr., Nampa
208.467.3011
Cherry Lane,
2070 Interlachen Way, Meridian
208.888.4080
Eagle Hills Golf Course,
605 N. Edgewood Dr.
208.939.0402
Foxtail Golf Course,
990 W. Chinden Blvd. Meridian
208.887.4653
Indian Lakes Golf Club,
4700 S. Umatilla Ave.
208.362.5772
Purple Sage Municipal Golf Course
Middleton
208.459.2223
Quail Hollow Golf Club,
4520 N. 36th Boise
208.344.7807
Ridgecrest Golf Club,
3730 Ridgecrest Dr. Nampa
208.468.9073
Shadow Valley Golf Course,
15711 Highway 55 Boise
208.939.6699
Warm Springs,
2495 Warm Springs Ave. Boise
208.343.5661
sports
BSU
Broncos
Boise Hawks
Idaho
Stampede
Idaho Steelheads
Idaho
Vandals |
| Bogus Creek Outfitters Visit |
208-336-3130 |
| A real western adventure, these outfitters
feature horseback riding and wagon rides with chuck
wagon meals. |
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| Boise Greenbelt Visit |
208-384-4240 |
| On this unique trail system connecting
the city's network of parks, you can jog, skate,
cycle, or walk along more than 25 miles of paved
pathways following the Boise River through the heart
of the city. |
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| Basque Museum and Cultural Center Visit |
208-343-2671 |
| Exhibits feature Basque traditions,
artifacts and culture. Next door, an original Basque
boarding house brings to life the history of Basques
in Idaho |
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| Boise Depot Visit |
208-384-4014 |
| This stately structure was built by
Union Pacific Railroad in 1925 during the glory years
of rail transport. Immersed in the beauty of the
Platt Gardens, the Depot offers a wonderful view
of Boise's downtown backed by scenic foothills. |
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| Boise River Visit |
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| Cast a fly or lure in the Boise River
as it runs through the heart of town. In the summer
enjoy a cooling float from Barber Park to Ann Morrison
Park. |
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| Boise River Tours Visit |
208-333-0003 |
| Educational and recreational river
rafting. Tours are available June through September. |
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| Discovery Center of Idaho Visit |
208-343-9895 |
| With over 150 hands-on scientific exhibits
to explore, experience, and enjoy, this museum makes
learning fun for the whole family. Located in Julia
Davis Park. |
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| Downtown Boise Visit |
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| Historic buildings in the downtown
area showcase Boise's pioneer roots, such as Old
Boise and 8th Street Marketplace. The Grove, the
city's public plaza, is the site of many community
activities, including "Alive After Five," a
weekly program of music and entertainment during
the spring and summer months. |
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| Idaho Black History Museum Visit |
208-433-0017 |
| A showplace of theirtorical photos,
crafts, and other artifacts, reflecting Black culture
in Idaho's diverse heritage |
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| Idaho Botanical Garden Visit |
208-343-8649 |
| Features an ever-changing world of
theme and display gardens. |
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| Idaho Historical Museum Visit |
208-334-2120 |
| Step back 100 years and visit an Old
West saloon, Chinese medicine shop and blacksmith's
forge. Located in Julia Davis Park. |
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| Idaho Ice World Visit |
208-331-0044 |
| Public ice skating sessions run daily
for all levels of skaters. Rental skates available. |
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| Idaho Museum of Military History Visit |
208-422-6128 |
| This museum features Idaho naval history,
the development of Gowen Field and the General Patch
collection |
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| Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology Visit |
208-368-9876 |
| Follow in the steps of miners as they
rushed to Idaho's hills and fought each other in
pursuit of gold and silver. |
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| M-K Nature Center Visit |
208-368-6060 |
| An indoor/outdoor facility, the Center
features the life of a mountain stream, with underwater
viewing, interpretive signs and interactive exhibits. |
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| Old Idaho Penitentiary Visit |
208-368-6080 |
| Take a fascinating peek into the lives
of Idaho's theirtoric criminals. A self-guided tour
includes Death Row, cell houses, and exhibits on
early prisoners and prison life. |
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| World Center for Birds of Prey Visit |
208-362-8687 |
| Located south of Boise, this renowned
facility gives visitors insight into the actual working
process of saving endangered species of hawks, falcons,
eagles, and other birds of prey. |
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Accolades For Boise
#4
Boise ID - Best Places
For Business And Careers |
Forbes magazine.
2006 |
“Despite
its diminutive size, I conclude,
this city (Boise) has star quality.” |
National
Geographic Traveler magazine, 2006 |
Best
Place for
Business and Careers |
Forbes
magazine. 2005 |
Second
Best City in
America to Do Business |
Inc.
magazine. 2005 |
No.
7 metro area in
the nation to do business |
Forbes
magazine. 2004 |
No.
5 city its size in the nation for favorable cost-of-doing-business |
KPMG
LLP. 2004 |
No.
13 best overall city |
National
Policy Research Council's Gold Guide. May 2004 |
Idaho
IceWorld one of
the Coolest Rinks in America |
American
Hockey magazine. 2004 |
Idaho's
Sportstown USA |
Sports
Illustrated magazine. 2004 |
Boise
Parks & Recreation
Magnet Center for Quality Sports |
National
Recreation & Parks Association. 2004 |
"Oasis
for Retirees" |
Wall
Street Journal. 2004 |
"Jewel
of the West" |
Travel
Tips magazine |
No.
1 mountain biking town |
Bike
magazine. June 2003 |
Boise
River named one
of West's top 12 rivers |
Sunset
magazine. June 2003 |
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