Burgdorf, Idaho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Burgdorf, Idaho
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Rustic cabin at Burgdorf in 2008
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 Location in Idaho
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Warren, Idaho McCall, Idaho |
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| Built | 1901 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000441 |
| Added to NRHP | April 14, 1972 |
Burgdorf is a small, quiet place in Idaho County, Idaho, in the western part of the United States. It's not a city or town with its own government, but rather a small community. You can find it about 30 miles (48 km) north of McCall, Idaho, high up in the mountains at about 6,115 feet (1,864 meters) above sea level.
Contents
History of Burgdorf
Early Days and Hot Springs
Long ago, the area where Burgdorf is now was a special and holy place for Native American tribes. They likely used the natural hot springs found there. Later, some Chinese miners, whose names we don't know, discovered these hot springs.
In the late 1860s, a young German immigrant named Fred C. Burgdorf settled in the area. He had been mining in a nearby place called Warren, Idaho. By 1870, Fred Burgdorf had turned the hot springs area into a popular resort where people could relax and enjoy the warm waters.
Growth and New Beginnings
Around 1898, a new gold rush started at a place called Thunder Gulch. This brought more people to the area. Because of this, Fred Burgdorf and his new wife, Janette Foronsard, decided to improve and expand the resort in 1902. Janette was a singer from Denver.
At this time, the resort officially became known as "Burgdorf." Before that, people simply called it "Resort." Even after the name change, some people still used the old name for a few more years.
Changes Over Time
Sadly, Janette passed away in 1923. After her death, Fred Burgdorf sold his share of the resort and moved to Weiser, Idaho. In 1925, only 13 people lived in Burgdorf.
Over the years, many parts of the community became empty. Even though people have tried to rebuild some areas, it remains a very small and quiet place. Burgdorf even had its own post office until 1945, but it has since closed.
Historic Recognition
In 1972, Burgdorf was recognized as a special historic district. This means it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which helps protect important historical sites in the United States. In the early 1980s, a new road was built through the hot springs property, making it easier to reach.
Interestingly, the famous basketball coach George Karl was once a part-owner of Burgdorf.
