Near East Lake Forest Drive near South Kelton Place, on the right when traveling west.
"… we found a gap in the bluffs of Boise valley, where we turned down and succeeded in reaching the valley in safety, although our road was very steep and stony, and long…" -- P.V. Crawford, 1851
On Julia Davis Drive, 0.2 miles east of Capital Boulevard, on the left when traveling east.
Gutzon Borglum, Sculptor of Mount Rushmore
Born: St. Charles, Idaho 1867
Died: Chicago, Illinois 1941
Copy executed by Irene Deely of Boise, Idaho 2009
"I have tried to give to posterity, in a true, unstudied picture, a glimpse of . . . — — Map (db m32232) HM
On N Capitol Boulevard north of W Bannock Street, in the median.
President Abraham Lincoln created Idaho Territory, appointed its first officers and judges and addressed Congress about Idaho in 1863 and 1864. He considered Idaho issues in the White House on the afternoon that he was shot and invited the former . . . — — Map (db m126722) HM
On Campus Lane, 0.1 miles west of Broadway Avenue (U.S. 20/26), on the left when traveling west. Reported permanently removed.
U.S. commercial airline service began with a Varney Airlines flight from Pasco to Boise which landed here on April 6, 1926. Army planes had delivered airmail before that time.
After Varney Airlines was merged with newer companies to become United . . . — — Map (db m22734) HM
On Grove Street near South Capitol Boulevard, on the right when traveling east.
The play was intense and furious: men smacking a leather-covered ball with their hands, or whipping their paddles, or palas, through the air. The sport, pelota, was brought to Idaho by early Basque immigrants. Juan and Juana Anduiza . . . — — Map (db m119131) HM
On Grove Street near South Capitol Boulevard, on the right when traveling east.
This unique building was built for Juan Cruz Anduiza in 1912 as a boarding house for Basque sheepherders who wintered in Boise. The rooms were across the front and down the side of the building and the kitchen, dining room, etc. wee in the . . . — — Map (db m119133) HM
On State Highway 21 at milepost 17,, 0.2 miles south of Arrowrock Road, on the right when traveling north.
Higher than any other dam from 1915 until 1934, Arrowrock Dam still is an essential part of Boise Valley's irrigation system.
Located six miles upstream from here, Arrowrock is 350 feet high and 1,150 feet wide. Built at a cost of $4,725,000 . . . — — Map (db m22597) HM
On South Capitol Boulevard at Grove Street, on the right when traveling north on South Capitol Boulevard.
The clinking of glasses, the clang of silverware, good conversation and enjoyable times have long been a part of this corner. Food and drink are especially important to the Basques, drawing people together in this highly social culture. Constructed . . . — — Map (db m119127) HM
On Interstate 84 at milepost 62,, 1 mile west of Black's Creek Road, on the right when traveling west.
Idaho has a large Basque community that preserves it's ancient European traditions in a new land of opportunity. Coming here originally to herd sheep on mountain and desert ranges, they shifted into other occupations as quickly as possible, making . . . — — Map (db m31680) HM
On Grove Street near South 6th Street, on the right when traveling east.
Far from their homeland, the temperate, verdant, Euskadi, away from their lively communal life of feast days and dancing, of pelota games and good wind, Basques in Idaho found themselves in an arid land where few spoke the native tongue. Many . . . — — Map (db m119130) HM
On Warm Springs Avenue (at milepost 7), 0.1 miles Highland Valley Road, on the left when traveling north.
In 1863 and 1864, overland packers hauling supplies from Salt Lake City to Idaho City crossed here and took a direct route northward to More's Creek.
They cut a steep grade from the Oregon Trail down to Beaver Dick's Ferry, which served a . . . — — Map (db m22641) HM
On West Washington Street at North 10th Street, on the right when traveling west on West Washington Street.
In 1903, Boise High School opened to students in an elaborate, red brick Victorian building. As the city grew, more space was needed and a new building was designed by the firm of Tourtellotte and Hummel. In order to minimize disruption to students, . . . — — Map (db m111328) HM
On Campus Lane, 0.1 miles west of Broadway Avenue (U.S. 20/26), on the left when traveling west. Reported permanently removed.
Expanding from a two-year community college (1932-1965) to a campus with a graduate program, Boise State was designated as a university in 1974.
Originating as an Episcopalian academy founded in 1892, this institution was located a mile north of . . . — — Map (db m22735) HM
Near S. Upper Blacks Creek Road, 1.3 miles north of E. Blacks Creek Road.
From this old Indian trail later known as the Old Oregon Trail Captain B,L,E, Bonnevilles partner on first sighting the river May 1833 exclaimed - Les Bois Les Bois Voyes Les Bois meaning The Woods The Woods See The Woods
Capt Bonneville . . . — — Map (db m71837) HM
On State Highway 21 at East Lake Forest Drive, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 21.
From the high ridge above the Boise River 5 miles southwest of here, westward-bound travelers got their first view of the Boise Valley. In 1811, Wilson Price Hunt and the Overland Astorians' party were the first white sojourners to enjoy the scene. . . . — — Map (db m119002) HM
Near S. Upper Blacks Creek Road, 1.3 miles north of E. Blacks Creek Road.
Bonneville Point
According to tradition, a hunting party led by the explorer Captain Benjamin Bonneville reached this promontory in 1833. They saw the lush river valley below and exclaimed in French, “Les bois; les bois; vouyez . . . — — Map (db m71835) HM
On Grove Street near South 6th Street, on the right when traveling east.
The Cyrus Jacobs home, built in 1864, is the oldest surviving brick dwelling in Boise. Jacobs, a prominent merchant and mayor of Boise, lived here for almost 40 years. Beginning in 1910, it became the residence of Basque families - first, the . . . — — Map (db m119186) HM
On Julia Davis Road, on the right when traveling south.
Julia Davis Park was donated to the City of Bosie by the area's first homesteader, Thomas Jefferson Davis. He arrived in Boise in the spring of 1863, and his claim was the first to be filed in Idaho Territory. The claim was for 320 acres, most of . . . — — Map (db m125827) HM
On State Highway 21 at East Warm Springs Avenue, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 21.
In the late 1800s, Idaho Territory needed to attract homesteaders to farm the Boise Valley. At the time, the area was dry sagebrush desert. A young engineer, Arthur Foote, designed a great canal system that was to allow the Boise River to . . . — — Map (db m119027) HM
On State Highway 21 at milepost 8,, 0.3 miles east of Warm Springs Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
Diversion Dam was completed in 1909 to lift water into an already constructed New York canal system, greatly expanding its irrigated farmlands.
After a quarter century of failure to dig a large canal above Diversion Dam, United States Reclamation . . . — — Map (db m22586) HM
On State Highway 21 at East Lake Forest Drive, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 21.
In 1906, at the age of seventy-five, Ezra Meeker began a journey east from his home in Puyallup, Washington, to retrace the route of the Oregon Trail over which he originally traveled in 1852 with his wife and young son. He traveled the route with . . . — — Map (db m118993) HM
On State Highway 21 at East Lake Forest Drive, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 21.
Concern for the safety of westward-bound emigrants became more immediate when news of the Utter party's disastrous confrontation with hostile Indians on September 9 and 10, 1860, reached western settlements. Colonel George Wright, commander of . . . — — Map (db m119004) HM
On West Jefferson Street at North Capitol Boulevard, on the left when traveling west on West Jefferson Street.
When in 1899 organized lawlessness challenged the power of Idaho, he upheld the dignity of the state, enforced its authority and restored
law and order within its boundaries, for which he was assassinated in 1905.
“Rugged in body, . . . — — Map (db m128543) HM
On Grove Street near South 6th Street, on the left when traveling east.
Imagine leafy Lombary poplars, dazzling rose bushes, lush gardens, circular walks, stately homes, and huge churning waterwheels along a wide avenue, and you'll get a picture of early days on Grove Street. The profusion of leaves and petals was . . . — — Map (db m119189) HM
On South Capitol Boulevard at Grove Street, on the right when traveling north on South Capitol Boulevard.
The thread of several cultures, wrapped around a mystery, winds its way through this site. Originally, a log cabin stood here, occupied in the early 1860s by a Boise sheriff. Later, a house was built on the site and deeded by the mayor to Dr. . . . — — Map (db m119126) HM
New addition built 1893
Prison Commissioners
William J. McConnell, Gov.
Jas. F. Curtis, Sec. of State
Geo.M. Parsons, Atty. Gen.
Jas. King, Arch’t. — — Map (db m63000)
On State Highway 21 at East Lake Forest Drive, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 21.
Westward-bound emigrants entered Idaho after crossing Thomas Fork Valley. They soon encountered the climb and descent of Big Hill, witnessed nature's curiosities at Soda Springs, and discovered willing traders at Fort Hall.
In 1843 wagons . . . — — Map (db m118992) HM
On West Jefferson Street at North Capitol Boulevard, on the right when traveling west on West Jefferson Street.
This reproduction of the Liberty Bell was presented to the people of Idaho by direction of The Honorable John W. Snyder Secretary of the Treasury
As the inspirational symbol of the United States Savings Bonds Independence . . . — — Map (db m128542) HM
On West Main Street, 0.1 miles east of South 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east.
In 1850, at age seventeen, Jesus Urquides joined the California gold rush to Stockton and the Sierra Nevadas.
In 1860, striking out on his own, he followed the rush to Walla Walla, Lewiston, and The Dalles.
Boise Basin’s 1863 gold rush lured . . . — — Map (db m110696) HM
On West Main Street, 0.1 miles east of South 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east.
Legendary mule packer Jesus Urquides was a Boise pioneer and founder of a freighting business located on this site.
Born January 18, 1833 in Sonora, Mexico, Urquides migrated to the California gold fields in 1850 where he worked as a mule packer . . . — — Map (db m110694) HM
On U.S. 21 at East Lake Forest Drive, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 21.
After the transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869, new stage and freight routes were established to connect southwester Idaho with newly established railheads.
Kelton, Utah, soon became the main shipping point for Boise, when John . . . — — Map (db m118996) HM
Near South Cole Road near Brentwood Drive, on the left when traveling north.
Soon after the discovery of Gold in Northern Idaho (1862) the City of Boise was founded (1863). Its first people were the U.S. Cavalry, Merchants, Mining and Stockmen. Although a few Mormons from Utah had previously lived in this valley, it was not . . . — — Map (db m125829) HM
On South Capitol Boulevard at Grove Street, on the right when traveling north on South Capitol Boulevard.
(English:)
For centuries, Basques have used the "laiak" to prepare the earth for planting. This photo, from the early 1900s, shows Basque women poised for work.
From its stone base to its seven flying ribbons, the sculpture embraces . . . — — Map (db m119128) HM
On West Main Street, 0.1 miles east of South 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east.
Maria Dolores (Lola) Urquides was born to Jesus and Adelaida Urquides on October 8, 1882.
She married Daniel H. Binnard in 1902, but he died suddenly in 1915 and Lola moved back to 115 Main Street to care for her aging father until his death in . . . — — Map (db m110689) HM
On State Highway 21 at milepost 17,, 0.2 miles south of Arrowrock Road, on the right when traveling north.
More's Creek is named for J. Marion More, leader of the party of miners who founded Idaho City, October 7, 1862.
Like most of Idaho's early miners, he came originally from the South. Unlike most of them, he struck it rich. During the Idaho gold . . . — — Map (db m22595) HM
Near East Lake Forest Drive near Orchid Way, on the right when traveling west.
Along this historic trail, from 1841 to 1861, traveled the greatest land migration in history. Nearly half a million pioneers came to settle America's Northwest. One out of every eight would perish along the way. — — Map (db m125859) HM
Near North Eagle Road (State Highway 55) at U.S. 26, on the left when traveling north.
Between 1843 and 1869 over 300,000 emigrants fulfilled Americas's Manifest Destiny by voluntarily relocating to Oregon and California. Their nearly 2,000 mile journey along game trails long used by the early Native Americans would become known as . . . — — Map (db m119239) HM
On Interstate 84, 1 mile north of Black's Creek Road, on the right when traveling south.
Indians, trappers, and emigrants who came this way before 1900 used a more direct route to get between Boise and Glenns Ferry. Their road still can be seen at Bonneville Point 5 miles from here. Following close to a line of hills bordering a . . . — — Map (db m22181) HM
On West Jefferson Street at North 6th Street, on the right when traveling west on West Jefferson Street.
Placed here by Ezra Meeker on May 9, 1906
Pioneer • Preservationist • Visionary
Ezra Meeker was largely responsible for locating and preserving the Old Oregon Trail. To commemorate the centennial of this monument, a time capsule of . . . — — Map (db m128544) HM
As manager of the Piotrkow Trybunalski Glass Factory, he saved over 700 Jews during the Holocaust while risking his own life. (Poland 1944)
Memoir of Alina Braun Rindler, A Survivor
Donated by the Jewish American Society for Historic . . . — — Map (db m134549) HM
On Julia Davis Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Sacajawea and Pomp
Sacajawea was a Lemhi Shoshoni Indian born near Salmon, Idaho around 1790. She was the only Idaho native, and the only female, to be a member of the famed Lewis and Clark "Corps of Discovery" expedition that opened up the . . . — — Map (db m73205) HM
On Black Creek Road near Songbird Lane, on the left when traveling west.
Wednesday September 15th "Today we traveled up a long hill some 4 miles. Road good, ascent very gradual. When we arrived at the top we got a grand view of the Boise River Valley. It is all filled or covered with dry grass and a few trees . . . — — Map (db m125787) HM
On Grove Street at South 6th Street, on the right when traveling east on Grove Street.
A place to call out the name of an old friend, play the card game “mus,” sit down to a meal, or dance to the music of the accordion and the txistu, the melodic Basque flute. All communities need somewhere to meet, and this is one place the . . . — — Map (db m119187) HM
Near South Capitol Boulevard near West Fulton Street, on the right when traveling north.
Since opening in 1937, this building has been the center of Boise's art community.
In 1933, with financing from the federal Public Works Administration (PWA), the City of Boise broke ground for construction of the new Boise Gallery of Art. . . . — — Map (db m119194) HM
On South 6th Street at Grove Street, on the right when traveling south on South 6th Street.
“One of the fine new buildings in Boise,” heralded the Idaho Statesman newspaper in 1935, when the Belaustegui Hotel & Basque Boarding House was constructed by Augustin and Petra Belaustegui. A few years later, part of the hotel . . . — — Map (db m119188) HM
Near State Highway 21 near East Sandy Point Road, on the right when traveling east.
The Canyon House was located across the Boise River from where you are standing. The house was designed and built by Arthur De Wint Foote in 1885, using funds from literary works by his wife, Mary Hallock Foote. As Chief Engineer for the Idaho . . . — — Map (db m119029) HM
Near S. Upper Blacks Creek Road, 1.3 miles north of E. Blacks Creek Road.
Hunt’s party laid the groundwork for future trapping expeditions across the Snake River Plain. Donald Mackenzie, who accompanies Hunt and later joined the British North West Company, returned to establish trade relations with resident Indian bands. . . . — — Map (db m71834) HM
Near S. Upper Blacks Creek Road, 1.3 miles north of E. Blacks Creek Road.
Beaver pelts lured the first Euro-Americans deep into the American West. In 1810, only four years after Lewis and Clark completed their epic journey, John Jacob Astor established the Pacific Fur Company. He soon financed sea and land expeditions to . . . — — Map (db m71832) HM
Near South Capitol Boulevard near West River Street, on the right when traveling north.
This log cabin is built of native Idaho woods, and each room inside is paneled is a different species.
Originally known as Chateau de Bois. this cabin was erected in 1940 to house the state forester. Built by the Civilian . . . — — Map (db m119193) HM
On Warm Springs Avenue (at milepost 7), 0.1 miles south of Highland Valley Road, on the left when traveling north.
The Oregon Trail is still clearly visible coming off the rimrock across the river. Here the west bound emigrants after 1840 came gratefully down into this green valley.
The first cart passed here with Spalding and Whitman, pioneer missionaries, . . . — — Map (db m22639) HM
Near S. Upper Blacks Creek Road, 1.3 miles north of E. Blacks Creek Road.
The landscape before you is part of the homeland of the Shoshone, Bannock, and Northern Paiute Indians. They occupied these lands for countless generations before the arrival of Euro-Americans. Living in small bands of several families, their lives . . . — — Map (db m71830) HM
Few things in Boise compare with the quiet charm of Julia Davis Park. Edging the north bank of the Boise River downstream from Broadway Ave. to just beyond Capitol Blvd., this emerald jewel is the setting for the city's major cultural institutions: . . . — — Map (db m125828) HM
Near South Capitol Boulevard near Julia Davis Drive, on the right when traveling north.
Created in May 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the WPA was the largest of his New Deal relief programs...
The WPA created jobs and provided income to many Idahoans during the Great Depression. The program funded thousands of . . . — — Map (db m119200) HM
On South Capitol Boulevard at West Myrtle Street, on the right when traveling south on South Capitol Boulevard.
On this very site stood the home of Boise pioneers Tom and Julia Davis.
In 1889, the Davis family built this fashionable Victorian home on a section of their homestead extending from Front Street to the Boise River. This handsome . . . — — Map (db m119190) HM
On West Main Street, 0.1 miles east of South 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east.
In 1879, with the death of his friend Antonio de Ocampo, the packer Urquides inherited Ocampo’s city lot at 115 Main Street.
Here along a canal he built a home for his wife, Adelaida, their sons, Arthur and Manuel and daughter, Maria . . . — — Map (db m110693) HM
On East Warm Springs Avenue at North Straughan Avenue, on the right when traveling west on East Warm Springs Avenue.
The Warm Springs Avenue neighborhood began to emerge in the 1890’s, soon after Kelly Hot Springs, for which the street was named, was tapped to provide water for Boise’s fire hydrants.
The prominent owners of the water line built their mansions on . . . — — Map (db m109839) HM
Near East Lake Forest Drive near Orchid Way, on the left when traveling west.
"When we first came in sight of Boise City and valley we were upon a hill seven miles distant." -- Julius Caesar Merrill, 1864
Creaking, groaning wheels, the dust so thick that the hunch-back oxen ahead looked more like tawny . . . — — Map (db m125861) HM
Near East Lake Forest Drive near Orchid Way, on the right when traveling east.
(Three Panels are found at this overlook:)
"The River Boise..."
"Descending some steep hills we came down on the river 'Boisee,' which deserved its appellation from the dense fringes of cottonwood and willow trees that . . . — — Map (db m125862) HM
On W State Street at N Cobblestone Lane, on the right when traveling west on W State Street.
This stately home was built in 1906 by landowner and farmer Oliver Francis Short. The one and a half stories and fifteen rooms were home to the Shorts and their two children. The Short farm played an important role in the agricultural community, . . . — — Map (db m227654) HM
On Main Street at Franklin Road, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
All Idaho land surveys refer to a
beginning point --"Initial Point"--
16 miles directly south of here.
When he began surveying Idaho in 1867, Lafayette Cartee, first surveyor general of Idaho Territory, established the initial point on a . . . — — Map (db m53439) HM
