Boise, Idaho

City of Boise
—  City  —
Downtown Boise
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): The City of Trees
Motto: Energy Peril Success
Location in Ada County and the state of Idaho
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Idaho
County	Ada
Founded	1863
Incorporated	1864
Government
- Mayor	David H. Bieter
Area
- City	64 sq mi (165.8 km2)
- Land	63.8 sq mi (165.2 km2)
- Water	0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)
Elevation	2,730 ft (850 m)
Population (2008)[1]
- City	202,832
- Density	3,169.25/sq mi (1,227.8/km2)
- Metro	585,207
Time zone	Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7)
- Summer (DST)	Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-6)
ZIP codes	83701-83799
Area code(s)	208
Website	http://www.cityofboise.org

Boise (pronounced /ˈbɔɪsiː/; {Boy-see not Boy-zee} less commonly known as Boise City) is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Idaho. Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, this is the principal city of the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon. As of the 2008 Census Bureau estimates, Boise's city population was 205,314^[2], making it the third largest city in the Pacific Northwest. The Boise metropolitan area is estimated to have 585,207^[3] inhabitants, by far the most populous metropolitan area in Idaho. It is also the 100th largest US city by population.

Contents 1 Name 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 2 History 3 Geography 3.1 Climate 4 Parts of the city 4.1 Downtown Boise 4.1.1 Tallest buildings 4.2 The North End 4.3 Southwest Boise 4.4 Northwest Boise 4.5 Warm Springs 4.6 East End 4.7 Southeast Boise 4.8 The Boise Bench 4.9 West Boise 4.10 Linen District 5 Demographics 6 Economy 7 Panoramas 8 Education 9 Culture 10 Sports 11 Major attractions 12 Media 13 Transportation 14 Awards 15 Notable residents 16 Photo gallery 17 References 18 Further reading 19 External links

Name

Etymology

Accounts differ, however, about the origin of the name. One version credits Capt. B.L.E. Bonneville of the U.S. Army as its source. After trekking for weeks through dry and rough terrain, his exploration party reached an overlook with a view of the Boise River Valley. The place where they stood is called Bonneville Point, located on the Oregon Trail east of the city. According to the story, a French-speaking guide, overwhelmed by the sight of the verdant river, yelled "Les bois! Les bois!" ("The woods! The woods!")—and the name stuck. An apocryphal version of this story mis-attributes this guide as being part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The name may instead derive from earlier mountain men, who named the river that flows through it. In the 1820s, French Canadian fur trappers set trap lines in the vicinity. Set in a high desert area, the tree-lined valley of the Boise River became a distinct landmark. They called this "La rivière boisée", which means "the wooded river."^[4]

Pronunciation

Natives and generally those who have lived in the area for a period of time use the pronunciation /ˈbɔɪsiː/ (BOY-see), and this is the pronunciation given on the city's website.^[5] Non-natives generally pronounce the name /ˈbɔɪziː/ (BOY-zee).

Boise City Chamber of Commerce has run several campaigns to eliminate the latter pronunciation.

History

The area was called Boise long before establishment of Fort Boise. The original Fort Boise was 40 miles (64 km) west near Parma, down the Boise River near its confluence with the Snake River at the Oregon border. This defense was erected by the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1830s. It was abandoned in the 1850s, but massacres along the Oregon Trail prompted the U.S. Army to re-establish a fort in the area in 1863 during the U.S. Civil War. The new location was selected because it was near the intersection of the Oregon Trail with a major road connecting the Boise Basin (Idaho City) and the Owyhee (Silver City) mining areas, both of which were booming at the time. During the mid-1860s, Idaho City was the largest city in the Northwest, and as a staging area, Fort Boise grew rapidly; Boise was incorporated as a city in 1864. The first capital of the Idaho Territory was Lewiston in north Idaho, which in 1863 was the largest community, exceeding the populations of Olympia and Seattle, Washington Territory and Portland, Oregon combined. The original territory was larger than Texas. But following the creation of Montana Territory, Boise was made the territorial capital of a much reduced Idaho in a contentious decision which overtruned a district court ruling via a one vote margin in the territorial supreme court along geographic lines in 1866.

Designed by Alfred B. Mullett, the U.S. Assay Office at 210 Main Street was built in 1871, and is today a National Historic Landmark.

Geography

Boise is located at (43.613739, -116.237651),^[6] in southwestern Idaho, approximately 41 miles (66 km) east of the Oregon border, and 110 miles (177 km) north of the Nevada border. The downtown sits at an elevation of 2,704 feet (824 m) above sea level.

Most of the metropolitan area lies on a broad, relatively flat plain, descending to the west. Mountains rise up to the northeast, stretching from the far southeastern tip of the Boise city limits to nearby Eagle. These mountains are known to locals as the Boise foothills and are sometimes described as the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. About 34 miles (55 km) southwest of Boise, and about 26 miles (42 km) southwest of Nampa, the Owyhee Mountains lie entirely in neighboring Owyhee County.

According to the census bureau, the city has a total area of 64.0 square miles (166 km²), with 63.8 square miles (165 km²) of land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km²) (0.33%) of water. The city is drained by the Boise River.

Climate

Boise's climate is characterized as a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk), with four distinct seasons. Boise experiences hot and dry summers with temperatures normally in the upper 80s °F (31-32 °C) during the day and in the low 60s °F (16-17 °C) at night, though highs exceed 100 °F (37.8 °C) 5.6 days in a typical year and 90 °F (32.2 °C) on 46 days.^[7] Winters are cold, with a January average of 30.2 °F (−1.0 °C), and lows fall to 0 °F (−17.8 °C) or below on around 4 nights per year.^[7] Snowfall averages 19.4 inches (49 cm), only occasionally falling in bouts of 3 inches (8 cm) or more.^[7] Spring and fall are generally mild, though autumn is a quick transition period and spring quite gradual. Precipitation is usually infrequent and light, and especially so during the summer months, for a total of 12.2 inches (310 mm) per year.

Climate data for Boise
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Source: Weather Channel [8]

Parts of the city

Boise occupies a large area — 64 sq mi (170 km²) according to the United States Census Bureau. Like most major metropolitan areas, it is divided into several neighborhoods. These include the Bench, the North End, West Boise and Downtown, among others.

Downtown Boise

Downtown Boise is Boise's cultural center and home to many small businesses and several high-rises. The area has an array of shopping and dining choices. Centrally, 8th Street contains a pedestrian zone with streetside cafes and restaurants. The neighborhood is home to many local restaurants, bars and boutiques and supports a lively night life.

Downtown Boise's economy was threatened in the late 1990s by extensive growth around the Boise Towne Square Mall^[9] (away from the city center) and an increasing number of shopping centers which have sprung up around new housing developments. Events such as Alive-after-Five^[10] and First Thursday^[11] have been created to combat this trend.

Tallest buildings

The following table shows the four tallest buildings in the city of Boise, Idaho.

Rank	Name	Height ft / m	Floors	Year	Notes
1	US Bank Plaza	267 / 81	20	1978	Tallest building in Boise since its completion in 1978.
2	One Capital Center	206 / 63	14	1975	Tallest building in Boise from 1975 to 1978.
3	Idaho State Capitol	198 / 60	4	1920	Tallest building in Boise from 1920 to 1975.
4	The Grove	196 / 60	16	2000	Tallest building in Boise completed in the 21st century.

The North End

The North End, which contains many of Boise's older homes, is known for its tree-lined drives such as Harrison Boulevard, and for its quiet neighborhoods near the downtown area. Downtown Boise is visible from Camel's Back Park.^[12] On 13th Street, Hyde Park^[13] is home to four small restaurants and other businesses. The North End also hosts events such as the annual Hyde Park Street Fair. The American Planning Association (APA) is designating Boise's North End one of 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2008.^[14]

Southwest Boise

Southwest Boise has traditionally been known for its more bucolic aesthetics. It contains sparsely populated neighborhoods built from the 1960s to the early 1980s. Many include acre-sized plots and the occasional farmhouse and pasture. Growth in the area was limited in the 1980s due to prevention of urban sprawl. Since this has been lifted there has been widespread growth of new homes and neighborhoods. The area lies fairly close to Interstate 84, theaters, shopping, the airport, golf and the Boise Bench area.

Northwest Boise

Northwest Boise lies blanketed against the Boise Foothills to the north, the major thoroughfare State Street to the south, the city of Eagle to the west, and Downtown Boise to the east. It contains an eclectic mix of old and new neighborhoods, including Lakeharbor, which features the private Silver Lake, a reclaimed quarry. Northwest Boise has some pockets of older homes with a similar aesthetic to the North End, yet housing prices tend to be lower. Downtown is minutes away, as is Veteran's Memorial Park^[15] and easy access to the Boise Greenbelt. Across the river sits the Boise Bench and to the west is fast access to the bedroom communities of Eagle, Star, and Middleton.

Warm Springs

Warm Springs is centered around the tree-lined Warm Springs Avenue and contains some of Boise's largest and most expensive homes (many of which were erected by wealthy miners and businessmen around the turn of the 20th century; Victorian styles feature prominently). The area gets its name from the natural hot springs that flow from Boise's fault line and warm many of the homes in the area.

East End

The far east end of Warm Springs was once known as Barber Town, featuring a hotel with hot springs nestled into the foothills. It now has some new residential developments, with easy access to Highway 21, which leads to the south-central Idaho mountains, the Boise River, the Boise Foothills, and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival.

Southeast Boise

Southeast Boise spans from Boise State University to Micron Technology – all areas between Federal Way and the Boise River. The older area just south of the University can be described as a cross between the North End and the Boise bench. The rest of Southeast Boise was developed in the last thirty years with suburban style homes. Unlike the more typical flat suburban sprawl, residents of Southeast Boise are reminded of their city's natural beauty as they catch a close view of Table Rock, or drive along the winding Parkcenter Blvd. along the Boise River. Many people consider this end of Boise a hidden gem as just about everything is about 15 minutes from home: the river, greenbelt, the mountains, lakes, snow, high mountain desert, and more.

Columbia Village subdivision and the older Oregon Trail Heights, were the first major planned communities in Southeast Boise with an elementary and middle school all within walking distance from all homes. The subdivision is located at the intersections of Interstate 84, Idaho 21, and Federal Way (former US Highway), which are all major arteries to get anywhere in Boise. The subdivision was developed around the Simplot Sports complex (with over 20 fields), as well as a baseball complex, swimming pools, and the has a stunning view of the valley. The fields are built over an old landfill/dump and the fields and gravel parking lot allow radon gases to escape through the ground. Columbia Village Homes are not built over the dump.

TrailWind Elementary School, built in 1997, is in the middle of the subdivision and is the largest population elementary school in the Boise School District. It has an extremely active parent teacher association and a high level of parental involvement. Les Bois Junior High is also located in the center of the subdivision, having relocated from its previous home at Apple and Boise Avenue. After an upgrade and expansion, the former junior high became Timberline High School.

Surprise Valley is another large subdivision located on the bench above the river. Its homes are much higher end than the Columbia Village and Oregon Trail Heights subdivisions. Two churches are located within its borders: Eastwind Fellowship and Trinity Presbyterian, which relocated in 2002 from an older SE Boise location on Apple Street.

On August 25, 2008 at about 7:00 pm a fire started near Amity and Holcomb during a major wind storm and destroyed 10 houses and damaged 9. A linguistics professor at Boise State University lost her life in the fire.

The Boise Bench

The Boise Bench is south of Downtown Boise and is raised in elevation approximately 60 feet (18 m). The bench is named such because the sudden rise in elevation gives the prominent appearance of a step, or bench. The Bench (or Benches, there are 3 actual benches throughout the Boise Valley) was created as an ancient shoreline to the old river channel. The Bench is home to the old Boise Train Depot and extensive residential neighborhoods. Due south of the Boise Bench is the Boise Airport.^[16]

West Boise

West Boise is home to Boise Towne Square Mall, the largest in the state, as well as numerous restaurants, strip malls, and residential developments ranging from new subdivisions to apartment complexes. The Ada County jail and Hewlett Packard's Printing Division are also located here. It is relatively the flattest section of Boise, with sweeping views of the Boise Front.

Linen District

This district was created as real estate marketing tool by Hale Development. Located at 15th Street and Grove, the Linen District currently has a mix of established retail stores and service oriented businesses. It is named after the anchor building of the area, the old American Linen Building, at the northwest corner of 14th and Grove Streets, 1402 West Grove Street. Redevelopment is currently underway at two other key buildings, the Furness Building at 1407 West Grove and the Goodyear Building at 1515 West Grove. The residential areas around it are also considered part of the Linen District. 18th and Idaho is an example of a residential area that is part of the district.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	1,899		—
1890	2,311		21.7%
1900	5,957		157.8%
1910	17,358		191.4%
1920	21,393		23.2%
1930	21,544		0.7%
1940	26,130		21.3%
1950	34,393		31.6%
1960	34,481		0.3%
1970	74,990		117.5%
1980	102,249		36.4%
1990	125,738		23.0%
2000	185,787		47.8%
Est. 2008	205,314		10.5%
source:[17][18]

Boise has grown considerably in recent years and is now comparable in size to other mid-size cities at the center of their own metropolitan areas in the United States. Comparable cities are Grand Rapids, Des Moines, Providence And Akron, Ohio.^[19]

At the 2005-2007 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates, 94.2% of the population was White (87.2% non-Hispanic White alone), 2.0% Black or African American, 3.0% Asian, 1.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander and 1.6% from some other race. 6.7% of the total population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[20] 36.1% of the population had a Bachelor's degree or higher.^[21]

As of the census of 2000,^[22] there were 185,787 people, 74,438 households, and 46,523 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,913.1/sq mi (1,124.7/km²). There were 77,850 housing units at an average density of 1,220.7/mi² (471.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was:

• 92.15% White
• 0.77% Black
• 0.70% Indigenous American
• 2.08% Asian
• 0.16% Pacific Islander
• 1.74% from other races
• 2.39% from two or more races

Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.53% of the population.

There were 74,438 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city the population was spread out with:

• 25.3% under the age of 18
• 11.7% from 18 to 24
• 32.3% from 25 to 44
• 20.6% from 45 to 64
• 10.0% 65 years of age or older

The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,432, and the median income for a family was $52,014. Males had a median income of $36,893 versus $26,173 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,696. About 5.9% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or older.

Economy

Boise is the headquarters for several major companies, such as URS Corp. Washington Division (formerly Washington Group International, formerly Morrison-Knudsen), Boise Cascade LLC, New Albertsons Inc., Albertsons LLC, J.R. Simplot Company, Idaho Pacific Lumber Company, Idaho Timber, WinCo Foods, Bodybuilding.com, and Clearwater Analytics. Other major industries are headquartered in Boise or have large manufacturing facilities present. The state government is also one of the city's largest employers.

The area's largest private employer^[23] publicly traded and headquartered company in Boise is Micron Technology (NYSE: MU). Others include IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE: ida), the parent company of Idaho Power, Idaho Bancorp (NYSE: IDA), Boise, Inc. (NYSE: BZ), American Ecology Corp. (NASDAQ: ECOL), PCS Edventures.com Inc. (NASDAQ: PCSV) and Syringa Bancorp.

Technology investment and the high-tech industry have become increasingly important to the city, with businesses including Healthwise, Bodybuilding.com, Crucial.com, MobileDataForce, MarkMonitor, Sybase, Balihoo.com and Microsoft. The call center industry is also a major source of employment; there are over 20 call centers in the city employing more than 7,000 people, including WDSGlobal, EDS, Teleperformance, DIRECTV and T-Mobile.^[24]

Varney Air Service, founded by Walter Varney, was formed in Boise, though headquarted at Pasco, Washington. The original air mail contract was from Pasco to Elko, Nevada with stops in Boise in both directions. The company is the root of present day United Airlines, which still serves the city at the newly renovated and upgraded Boise Airport.

Panoramas

Education

The Boise School District includes 31 elementary schools, 8 junior high schools, 5 high schools and 2 specialty schools. Part of the Meridian School District (the largest district in Idaho) overlaps into Boise city limits. The city is home to six public high schools: Boise High School, Borah High School, Capital High School, Timberline High School as well as Meridian School District's Centennial High School and the alternative Frank Church High School. Boise's private schools include the Catholic Bishop Kelly High School, Foothills School of Arts and Sciences and the International Baccalaureate-accredited Riverstone International School.

Post-secondary educational options in Boise include Boise State University as well as a wide range of technical schools. University of Idaho (UI) and Idaho State University each maintain a satellite campus in Boise. As of 2009, the city did not have any law schools.^[25] UI plans to open a third-year law program in 2010 and Concordia University plans to open the Concordia University School of Law in 2011 in the city.^[25] Boise is home to Boise Bible College, an undergraduate degree-granting college that exists to train leaders for churches as well as missionaries for the world.

Culture

Numbering about 15,000, Boise's ethnic Basque community is the second largest such community in the United States after Bakersfield, California and the fifth largest in the world outside Mexico, Argentina, Chile and the Basque Country in Spain and France.^[26] A large Basque festival known as Jaialdi is held once every five years (next in 2015). Downtown Boise features a vibrant section known as the "Basque Block". Boise's mayor, David H. Bieter, is of Basque descent.

Boise is also a regional hub for jazz and theater. The Gene Harris Jazz Festival is hosted in Boise each spring. The city is also home to a number of museums, including the Boise Art Museum, Idaho Historical Museum, the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, Idaho Black History Museum, Boise WaterShed and the Discovery Center of Idaho. Several theater groups operate in the city, including the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Boise Little Theatre, Boise Contemporary Theater, and Prairie Dog Productions. On the first Thursday of each month, a gallery stroll is hosted in the city's core business district by the Downtown Boise Association. The city also has the Egyptian Theatre as a renovated venue. In the fall, Downtown Boise hosts a film festival called Idaho International Film Festival.

The Boise Centre on the Grove is an 85,000-square-foot (7,900 m²) convention center that hosts a variety of events, including international, national, and regional conventions, conferences, banquets, and consumer shows. It is located in the heart of downtown Boise and borders the Grove Plaza, which hosts numerous outdoor functions throughout the year.

The Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center offers water features and wildlife experiences just east of downtown. It is located adjacent to Municipal Park.^[27] It features live fish and wildlife exhibits, viewing areas into the water, bird and butterfly gardens, waterfalls and a free visitor's center.

Boise has a diverse and vibrant religious communities. The Jewish community's Ahavath Beth Israel Temple, completed 1896, is the nation's oldest continually-used temple west of the Mississippi. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated a temple there in 1984 and the Boise Hare Krishna Temple opened in August 1999.^[28]

Boise (along with Valley and Boise Counties) hosted the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. More than 2,500 athletes from over 85 countries participated.^[29]

Sports

Club	League	Sport	Venue	Established	Championships
Boise Hawks	Northwest League	Baseball	Memorial Stadium	1987	6
Idaho Steelheads	ECHL	Ice hockey	Qwest Arena	1996	2
Boise State University	NCAA - MWC	Football / Basketball	Bronco Stadium / Taco Bell Arena	1932	6
Idaho Stampede	D-League	Basketball	Qwest Arena	1997	1

Major attractions

A number of recreational opportunities are available in Boise, including extensive hiking and biking in the foothills to the immediate north of downtown. Much of this trail network is part of Hull's Gulch and can be accessed by 8th street. An extensive urban trail system called the Boise River Greenbelt runs along the river. The Boise River itself is a common destination for fishing, swimming and rafting.

In Julia Davis Park is Zoo Boise, which has over 200 animals representing over 80 species from around the world. An Africa exhibit, completed in 2008, is the most recent addition.^[30]

The Bogus Basin ski area opened in 1942 and hosts multiple winter activities, primarily alpine skiing and snowboarding, but also cross-country skiing and snow tubing. "Bogus" is 16 miles (26 km) from the city limits (less than an hour drive from downtown) on a twisty paved road which climbs 3400 vertical feet (1036 m) through sagebrush and forest.

Professional sports teams in Boise include the Boise Hawks of the short-season Class A Northwest League (minor league baseball), the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL (minor league hockey), and the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League (minor league basketball). An arenafootball2 franchise, the Boise Burn, began play in 2007 but is now extinct.

On the sports entertainment front, Boise is also the home of a DIY all-female, flat track roller derby league, the Treasure Valley Rollergirls.

The Boise State University campus is home to Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts local and national fine arts performances; Bronco Stadium, the 32,000 seat football and track stadium known for its blue Field Turf field; and Taco Bell Arena, a 12,000 seat basketball and entertainment venue which opened in 1982 as the BSU Pavilion. Boise State University is known primarily for the recent successes of its football team, although it is also a fairly well-regarded commuter school for undergraduate students.

The Roady's Humanitarian Bowl football game (formerly known as the Humanitarian Bowl and later the MPC Computers Bowl) is held in late December each year, and pairs a team from the Western Athletic Conference with a Mountain West Conference team.

The World Center for Birds of Prey is located just outside city limits, and is a key part of the re-establishment of the Peregrine Falcon and the subsequent removal from the Endangered Species list. The center is currently breeding the very rare California condor, among many other rare and endangered species.

The city has been cited by publications like Forbes, Fortune and Sunset for its quality of life.

The cornerstone mall in Boise, Boise Towne Square Mall, is also a major shopping attraction for Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, and surrounding areas and has recently been through an upgrade along with adding new retailers.

The state's largest giant sequoia can be found near St. Lukes Hospital.^[31]

Media

The greater-Boise area is served by two daily newspapers, The Idaho Statesman and the Idaho Press-Tribune, as well as a free alternative newsweekly, Boise Weekly. Quarterly magazines "Boise Journal" and "Boise Home" have been serving the Treasure Valley for over eight years. "Sprout Magazine" is a Boise-based free quarterly sustainable living publication which is distributed throughout the Treasure Valley and Central Idaho. In addition, numerous radio stations and five major commercial television stations serve the Boise area.

Transportation

The major Interstate serving Boise is I-84 which connects Boise with Portland, OR and Salt Lake City, UT. Highway 55 branches outward northeast. There is a network of bike paths throughout the city and surrounding region, such as the Boise River Greenbelt.

Public transportation includes a series of bus lines operated by ValleyRide. Also, the Downtown Circulator, a proposed streetcar system, is in its planning stage.^[32]

Commercial air service is provided at the Boise Airport, recently renovated to accommodate the growing number of passengers flying in and out of Boise. It is accommodated by Delta Air Lines, US Airways, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Skywest Airlines (operated under codeshare), Horizon Airlines , Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. The east end of the airport is home to the National Inter-agency Fire Center.

Awards

Boise frequently receives national recognition for its quality of life and business climate. Some recent national rankings:

• Top Ten Cities to Live In: #10 ^[33]
• One of the Best Places to Live in 2009:^[34]
• Best places for business and careers: # 2 (Forbes Magazine, 2008)^[35]
• Urban environment report card: # 6 (Earth Day Network, 2007)^[36][37]

• Boomtowns: Hottest cities for entrepreneurs (midsize cities): # 9 (Inc.com, 2007)^[38][39]

• Most secure places to live (500,000 or more residents): # 1 (Farmers Insurance 2006)^[40]

Notable residents

• Robert Adler, inventor
• William Agee, businessman
• Joe Albertson, businessman
• Kristin Armstrong, cycling gold medalist
• James Jesus Angleton, cia chief of counter-intelligence
• Bill Buckner, baseball first baseman
• Frank Church, U.S. senator
• John M. Haines, mayor and governor
• Mark Gregory Hambley, ambassador
• Gene Harris, jazz musician
• Michael Hoffman, movie director
• Howard W. Hunter, religious leader
• Dirk Kempthorne, mayor, governor, senator, and secretary of the interior
• George Kennedy, actor
• Mark Levine, jazz musician and educator
• Bonnie McCarroll, rodeo performer
• Doug Martsch, musician and songwriter
• Brett Nelson, bass player
• Reginald Owen, character actor
• William Petersen, television actor
• Thom Pace, musician and songwriter
• Jake Plummer, football quarterback
• Paul Revere, musician
• Frank Shrontz, businessman
• J.R. Simplot, businessman
• Robert Smylie, governor
• Gary Stevens, jockey
• Curtis Stigers, musician and songwriter
• Kristine Sutherland, television actress
• Wayne Walker, football linebacker and broadcaster
• Viola S. Wendt, poet
• Torrie Wilson, model, entertainer and professional wrestler

Photo gallery

Old Boise Train Depot

Downtown in 2006

Bird's-eye view in 2007

References

Further reading

• MacGibbon, Elma (1904). Leaves of knowledge. Shaw & Borden Co.  Available online through the Washington State Library's Classics in Washington History collection Elma MacGibbons reminiscences of her travels in the United States starting in 1898, which were mainly in Oregon and Washington. Includes chapter "Boise, the capital of Idaho."

External links

• City of Boise
• Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Boise Area Chamber of Commerce
• Boise, the City of Trees

Municipalities and communities of Ada County, Idaho County seat: Boise Cities Boise | Eagle | Garden City | Kuna | Meridian | Star

Treasure Valley in western Idaho and eastern Oregon Cities Idaho Boise • Caldwell • Eagle • Emmett • Fruitland • Homedale • Kuna • Marsing • Melba • Meridian • Middleton • New Plymouth • Nampa • Parma • Star •Weiser Oregon Nyssa • Ontario • Vale Universities Boise State University • College of Idaho • Northwest Nazarene University• Treasure Valley Community College

State of Idaho Boise (capital) Topics Culture | Geography | Government | Delegations | Governors | History | Symbols | Images | People | Visitor Attractions Regions Boise metropolitan area | Cache Valley | Central Idaho | Columbia River Plateau | Eastern Idaho | Great Basin | Idaho Panhandle | Inland Empire | Magic Valley | North Central Idaho | North Idaho | Palouse | Southern Idaho | Southwestern Idaho | Treasure Valley | Wasatch Range | Wood River Valley | Yellowstone Larger cities Boise | Coeur d'Alene | Idaho Falls | Lewiston | Meridian | Nampa | Pocatello | Twin Falls Smaller cities Ammon | Blackfoot | Burley | Caldwell | Chubbuck | Eagle | Garden City | Kuna | Moscow | Mountain Home | McCall | Post Falls | Rexburg | Stanley Counties Ada | Adams | Bannock | Bear Lake | Benewah | Bingham | Blaine | Boise | Bonner | Bonneville | Boundary | Butte | Camas | Canyon | Caribou | Cassia | Clark | Clearwater | Custer | Elmore | Franklin | Fremont | Gem | Gooding | Idaho | Jefferson | Jerome | Kootenai | Latah | Lemhi | Lewis | Lincoln | Madison | Minidoka | Nez Perce | Oneida | Owyhee | Payette | Power | Shoshone | Teton | Twin Falls | Valley | Washington

State capitals of the United States AL Montgomery AK Juneau AZ Phoenix AR Little Rock CA Sacramento CO Denver CT Hartford DE Dover FL Tallahassee GA Atlanta HI Honolulu ID Boise IL Springfield IN Indianapolis IA Des Moines KS Topeka KY Frankfort LA Baton Rouge ME Augusta MD Annapolis MA Boston MI Lansing MN Saint Paul MS Jackson MO Jefferson City MT Helena NE Lincoln NV Carson City NH Concord NJ Trenton NM Santa Fe NY Albany NC Raleigh ND Bismarck OH Columbus OK Oklahoma City OR Salem PA Harrisburg RI Providence SC Columbia SD Pierre TN Nashville TX Austin UT Salt Lake City VT Montpelier VA Richmond WA Olympia WV Charleston WI Madison WY Cheyenne DC Washington1 Territories: AS Pago Pago GU Hagåtña MP Saipan PR San Juan VI Charlotte Amalie 1 Federal capital.