North End in Boise in Ada County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
First Home in Boise
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 26, 2023
1. First Home in Boise Marker
This cabin was the first home in Boise to shelter women and children
Restored and preserved by Pioneer Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
Erected 1915 by Pioneer Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists.
Location. 43° 37.128′ N, 116° 11.664′ W. Marker is in Boise, Idaho, in Ada County. It is in North End. It is on West Fort Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 W Fort St, Boise ID 83702, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Idaho’s Snake River Plain. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Boise: A City Along the Trail
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is located above the front door to the cabin. The cabin was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
Also see . . . National Register of Historic Places Registration Form.
The NRHP Registration Form Statement of Significance: A bronze plaque is mounted above the door, donated by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in 1915. It bears the following inscription: "This was the first home in Boise to shelter women and children. Restored and preserved by the Pioneer Chapter, DAR."(Submitted on February 25, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)
The log cabin was completely "restored" in 1911 following relocation to the present location. The DAR's primary objectivewas to strictly maintain the cabin's historical integrity in regards to its restoration. On the exterior of the cabin, only a few logs were replaced. The logs were obtained from a cottonwood tree that was cut for the cabin's new location. The shingles applied to the new 1911 roof were also composed of local wood and handmade to duplicate those from the original roof. The interior was decorated with antique furnishings from the pioneer period, obtained by the DAR through donations. The plank walls were painted white and lined with burlap. After this initial restoration by the DAR in 1911, the O'Farrell Cabin was simply maintained by the organizations responsible for its care (1911-1956, DAR; 1956-1993, Sons and Daughters of the Idaho Pioneers; 1993-present, Boise City Parks and Recreation Department. There has been no further significant restoration of the O'Farrell Cabin since 1911.Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 26, 20232. First Home in Boise Marker
Over the years, protective measures were necessitated by ongoing vandalism and extreme weather conditions. Iron bars were installed over windows. In 1958 a "temporary" protective roof, made of logs and timbers with both galvanized and plastic roof panels,was constructed over the entire cabin, funded by the Sons and Daughters of Idaho Pioneers. It remains to this day. In 1995, to offset further damage and vandalism, a chain-link fence was erected entirely around the cabin by the City of Boise through a grant from the Idaho Heritage Trust. These protective measures were well-intended efforts taken to preserve the building. While these measures have had a negative impact on the visual characteristics of the O'Farrell Cabin, they have not constituted significant alterations to the building itself hMi to its immediate surroundings. Despite these measures, the O'Farrell Cabin retains sufficient integrity of location, association, and materials to convey its post-1911 significance.Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 26, 20233. First Home in Boise
John A. O'Farrell was the first permanent settler in Boise. O'Farrell was the first large-scale farmer in the Boise valley, had extensive property holdings, and was a leader in promoting local irrigation systems. The O'Farrell Cabin, constructed in June of 1863, was and is the oldest extant building in the city of Boise. It was the first "home" building to house women and children in the area and served as thesite of the first Catholic religious services held in Boise. From 1863 until 1870 local Catholics gathered for services in the cabin that also served as the residence for O'Farrell and his family until 1872.'Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 26, 20234. First Home in BoiseCabin interior
John A. O'Farrell was historically significant in the pioneer development of Boise, and his cabin was deemed a worthy candidate for the DAR to preserve. According to DAR meeting minutes the acquisition of the O'Farrell Cabin and its subsequent move to a suitable spot were first mentioned in April 1911; by September of the same year the relocation had been accomplished. The cabin was donated by O'Farrell's daughters and was moved in order to avoid demolition resulting from new construction. The DAR was responsible for securing from the Boise Army Barracks the .02 acres of land on which the cabin now sits.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 172 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 25, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
