1. Ada County Chronicles An Overview of the Development of Ada County Ada County Historic Preservation Council Script and images prepared by TAG Historical Research & Consulting for Ada County Development Services, July 2006. Design & layout by Steve Malone.
3. Indians, Trappers & Emigrants 1800-1860 Ada County Chronicles Ada County Historic Preservation Council University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections. NA1965, Bannock indians near Snake River, Idaho, 1902
4. Originally home to Native Americans, nomadic natives created trails that would become emigration routes for future settlers. Their populations declined due to disease and impacts to their food sources. Ada County 1800-1860 Indians, Trappers & Emigrants Ada County Chronicles ISHS 62-86.7, Indian encampment along Boise River.
5. The first whites in the area were fur trappers, who established the first Fort Boise near Parma in 1834. It served as a trading post and Oregon Trail stop until 1854, when it was abandoned. ISHS 61-181.1 Site of Fort Boise. Ada County 1800-1860 Indians, Trappers & Emigrants Ada County Chronicles ISHS 76-2.80, From “The Trappers” by Remington.
6. Part of the Oregon Trail passed through Ada County along the Boise River. But Idaho’s hot, dry and dusty climate discouraged most emigrants from settling here… University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections. 11231 horse-drawn ferry on Snake River, May 1899 Ada County 1800-1860 Indians, Trappers & Emigrants Ada County Chronicles Source unknown.
7. The Gleam of Gold 1860-1880 Ada County Chronicles Ada County Historic Preservation Council
8. The discovery of gold in the summer of 1862 brought an influx of miners into the region. But most stayed only long enough to strike it rich… ISHS 72-201.156F, panning for gold. Ada County 1860-1880 The Gleam of Gold Ada County Chronicles Denver Public Library 10062595, Placer mining in Boise Basin.
9. Ada County 1860-1880 The Gleam of Gold Ada County Chronicles ISHS 80-2.9, Boise view.
10. The discovery of gold led to the founding of Idaho Territory in 1863, followed by the founding of Fort Boise at the crossroads of the Oregon Trail and the road to the Boise Basin gold mines. Ada County 1860-1880 The Gleam of Gold Ada County Chronicles ISHS 65-132.6, Main Street in Boise.
11. Boise City was founded in July, 1863… And became the territorial capitol in late 1864 (after being moved from Lewiston). ISHS 77-22.6, vignettes of early Boise. Ada County 1860-1880 The Gleam of Gold Ada County Chronicles ISHS 187.1, Territorial capitol in Boise.
12. The county is named after Ada Riggs, daughter of legislative representative H.C. Riggs. The county originally included all of Canyon County and portions of several other counties. Ada County 1860-1880 The Gleam of Gold Ada County Chronicles Modern Ada County Canyon County (created 1891) Owyhee County Payette County
14. As land claims accelerated, a formal survey of the State of Idaho was started in 1867, beginning south of Kuna at Initial Point. The ‘meridian,’ the main north-south survey line heads north along Meridian Road through Meridian. Ada County 1860-1880 The Gleam of Gold Ada County Chronicles
17. The race to build a transcontinental railroad began in 1867 with completion in 1869. In 1868 a convention was held to convince investors to construct a line through Boise to Portland, but it would be decades before this became a reality… Ada County 1860-1880 The Gleam of Gold Ada County Chronicles
23. During this period a number of small communities appeared in the county. Ease of irrigation led to the early settling of Star. It later became an important crossroads providing services to farmers and travelers. Ada County 1880-1900 County Roots Ada County Chronicles
24. Originally known as “Hunter,” Meridian was established along the Idaho Central Railroad nine miles west of Boise to serve the surrounding farm lands… Ada County 1880-1900 County Roots Ada County Chronicles
25. Agriculture was a big part of Meridian’s early industry, which included a creamery built in 1897… And a fruit drying plant for prunes near Beatty, a small siding near Maple Grove and Franklin. Ada County 1880-1900 County Roots Ada County Chronicles
26. Thomas Aiken settled the Eagle area in 1891, and a small community later formed when a bridge was built to cross the Boise River. It became an important crossroads to the Payette Valley to the north. Ada County 1880-1900 County Roots Ada County Chronicles
27. The railroad meant access to eastern markets, create a demand for produce that spurred plans for extensive irrigation systems. Transforming barren tracts of sage to productive farm land… Ada County 1880-1900 County Roots Ada County Chronicles
29. From Favorite Sports cigar box label, courtesy of Norman Batho. Ada County 1880-1900 County Roots Ada County Chronicles
30. 1890 brought statehood … …and a modern transportation system. Ada County 1880-1900 County Roots Ada County Chronicles
31. The first piped water system was installed in the Overland Hotel in 1881. Prior to that time there were several public wells and cisterns were constructed for fire fighting. Ada County 1880-1900 County Roots Ada County Chronicles
32. Kelly’s Hot Springs, east of Boise, was a popular draw for tourists due to its soothing hot water. Natural hot springs led to the establishment of the nation’s first geothermal heating district in 1891, from water supplied by wells located next to the Old Penitentiary. Ada County 1880-1900 County Roots Ada County Chronicles
33. The Natatorium was a natural commercial use for the abundant natural hot water found nearby. The construction of a street car line to serve the Nat and the availability of hot water for heating made Warm Springs Avenue the most desirable neighborhood in Boise. Ada County 1880-1900 County Roots Ada County Chronicles
34. Developers used streetcars to create demand for housing throughout the county. They extolled the serenity of the countryside with the conveniences of modern urban living. W.E. Pierce and his partners were instrumental in developing neighborhoods such as Hyde Park and subdivisions in Star and other outlying communities. Ada County 1880-1900 County Roots Ada County Chronicles
35. Pierce and others of his time set a pattern that is still followed by today’s developers, planning and financing transportation, water, services and amenities to attract home buyers. Ada County 1880-1900 County Roots Ada County Chronicles
36. Streetcars to Suburbs 1900-1920 Ada County Chronicles Ada County Historic Preservation Council
38. In 1902 the U.S. Reclamation Service provided the capital investment necessary for large scale irrigation projects. The Boise Project enlarged the New York Canal, and added the Diversion Dam and Deer Flat Reservoir. Ada County 1900-1920 Streetcars to Suburbs Ada County Chronicles
39. Site of a stage stop from Boise to Murphy, and later settled as a railroad construction camp, Kuna finally blossomed after the turn of the century with the anticipated availability of irrigation water. F.H. Teed and his brother-in-law D.R. Hubbard filed adjacent land claims, platting the area as orchard tracts. Ada County 1900-1920 Streetcars to Suburbs Ada County Chronicles
66. ISHS P1985.12.33 a, I-84 construction Maple Grove interchange ISHS P1985.12.33 b,, I-84 construction of Franklin overpass. Ada County 1960-1980 Changing Times Ada County Chronicles
67. Deciding how the freeway would connect to downtown was a contentious issue with significant consequences for the region’s future. Three Alternatives were studied… River Route Railroad Route Bypass Route Ada County 1960-1980 Changing Times Ada County Chronicles
88. Ada County Chronicles Ada County Historic Preservation Council Historic Photographs courtesy of the Idaho State Historical Society Public Archives and Research Library, Boise, Idaho. Other photographs courtesy of O’Neil Enterprises, University of Washington Libraries Special Collections, Idaho Military Museum and Ada County Development Services.
