Historic Bovill
The Town that grew out of the Wilderness
Looking upon a pristine wooded basin in what was considered wilderness in the early 1900’s, Sir Hugh Bovill of England knew he was home. Bovill with his wife Lady Charlotte, and his two daughters Gwendolyn and Dorothy were seeking a better life. The Bovill’s built their new home in Warren Meadows, what is today the center of Bovill.At that time the area was well known for its abundant hunting, fishing, and recreation. By 1905, Hugh opened Hotel Bovill, a stately hunting lodge. Hotel Bovill soon became an inviting home where sportsmen, travelers, and loggers found a hot meal and a place of community in the rugged backcountry. During harsh winters, early homestreaders stayed at the hotel while they built their homestead and improved the land.
Bovill’s wilderness paradise vanished with the arrival of the railroad. Train cars carrying Balkan and Italian immigrant loggers know as “Bohunks” arrived in Bovill Basin to harvest some of the finest white pine stands in Idaho. Extensive logging along with numerous noisy logging camps forced Bovill to sell his homestead and land. By 1911, Bovill and his family said goodbye to their
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One hundred years later Hugh Bovill’s wooded basin paradise has returned. Bovill today is once again well known for its abundant hunting, fishing and recreation located in a rugged backcountry setting.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Environment • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 46° 51.645′ N, 116° 23.833′ W. Marker is in Bovill, Idaho, in Latah County. Marker is located in the City Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bovill ID 83806, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2018, by Martin Schrattenholzer of Renton, Washington. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 16 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on February 4, 2018, by Martin Schrattenholzer of Renton, Washington. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Shot of the marker in its surroundings. • Can you help?
