North End in Boise in Ada County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Longfellow Elementary

1511 N. 9th Street

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 4, 2026

1. Longfellow Elementary Marker

Inscription. In response to changes in curriculum and rapid growth in the North End, Longfellow School opened to students, grades 1-8, in 1906, incorporating many modern advances in school design. One innovation that received much attention was the placement of a large bank of windows on only one wall in each classroom. This design feature was meant to provide more light and reduce shadows; an improvement thought to decrease eyestrain. Longfellow also had the first slate blackboards in the West. New recognition of the importance of physical education is reflected in the wide, spacious hallways, which allowed for “drilling” during inclement weather. The school also included a four-room apartment in the basement for the janitor “in order that he may be continually at his post.”

Designed by prominent local architects, Wayland and Fennell, Longfellow School is unique in its use of the Spanish Mission Revival Style, characterized primarily by the shaped central parapet and arched windows (shown left). The style’s popularity spread from the American Southwest, where Spanish missionaries built churches using this curved parapet form. The

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two recessed entrance porticos are supported by Ionic columns and were original intended as separate boys’ and girls’ entrances.

Prior to the 1900s, educational philosophy centered on strict discipline focusing on the 3-Rs: reading, writing and arithmetic. Early in the 20th century, progressive ideas resulted in a shift in attitudes that expanded the cuuriculum, and in 1905, the School District established a department of domestic sciences. All girls in grades 8-12 were required to take cooking lessons. Girls in grades 6 and 7 had weekly sewing lessons. Longfellow was the first Boise school constructed with specific, dedicated domestic sciences class space designed into the building.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 43° 37.677′ N, 116° 11.933′ W. Marker is in Boise, Idaho, in Ada County. It is in North End. It is on North 9th Street south of W Sherman Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1511 N 9th Street, Boise ID 83702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 4, 2026

2. Longfellow Elementary Marker

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: North Junior High School (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic North End Neighborhood Groceries (approx. ¼ mile away); President Franklin Roosevelt Visits Boise (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named President Franklin Roosevelt Visits Boise (approx. 0.3 miles away); John Haines House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Washington Elementary (approx. half a mile away); Memorial Park (approx. half a mile away); Harrison Boulevard (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boise.

Longfellow Elementary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 4, 2026

3. Longfellow Elementary

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 4, 2026

4. Longfellow Elementary

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 10, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.