Fort Boise facts for kids
Fort Boise refers to two different places in southwestern Idaho. The first was an old fur trading post built by the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) in 1834. It was located near the Snake River, close to what is now the Oregon border. This fort was a key spot during the time when Idaho was part of a large British fur trading area. It was eventually left empty in 1854.
The second Fort Boise was a military base. The U.S. government built it in 1863. This new fort was about 50 miles (80 km) east of the old one, along the Boise River. The city of Boise, which is now the capital of Idaho, grew up around this military post.
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Old Fort Boise: A Trading Post (1834–1854)
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Boise and Riverside Ferry Sites
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Fort Boise 1849
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 Location in Idaho
Location in the United States
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| Location | Canyon County, NW of Parma on Snake River |
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| Nearest city | Parma, Idaho |
| Area | 174 acres (70 ha) |
| Built | 1834, 191 years ago |
| Architect | Thomas McKay |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000736 |
| Added to NRHP | December 24, 1974 |
Early Explorers and Trading Posts
Explorers from the Pacific Fur Company were likely the first white people to visit the area of the first Fort Boise. This happened in 1811 when they were looking for a good place to set up a fur trading post.
In 1813, John Reid and a small group of traders built an outpost near the mouth of the Boise River. This outpost was meant to protect against attacks from Native American groups. Sadly, Reid and most of his group were soon killed. Marie Aioe Dorion, whose husband was killed, escaped with her two children. They traveled over 200 miles through deep snow to find friendly Walla Walla Indians.
Later, in 1818, explorer David Thompson called the Boise River "Reids River" and the outpost "Reids Fort." In 1819, Donald Mackenzie also set up a post at the same spot. But it too was abandoned because of conflicts with local tribes.
Building the Hudson's Bay Company Fort
In the fall of 1834, Thomas McKay built the first Fort Boise. He chose the same spot where Reid and Mackenzie had tried before. McKay was a leader for the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). He built Fort Boise to compete with the new American Fort Hall. Fort Hall was built by Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth further east on the Snake River.
Even though McKay built Fort Boise, the HBC fully supported it. The competition for fur trade in the area ended when Wyeth left in 1836. The HBC then bought all of Wyeth's fur trading businesses, including Fort Hall. This gave the HBC full control of Fort Boise in 1836.
Life at the Fort
The Hudson's Bay Company ran Fort Boise until it was abandoned. From 1835 to 1844, a French-Canadian man named Francois Payette was in charge. Most of the workers were from Hawaii. The fort became well-known for being a welcoming place. It offered supplies and hospitality to travelers and people moving west.
In 1838, Payette built a second Fort Boise. It was about five miles (8 km) northwest of where Parma, Idaho is today. This new fort was a large square, 100 feet on each side. It had tall poles for walls, which were later covered with sun-dried adobe bricks. By 1846, the fort had some farm land, cattle, and horses.
Why the Fort Was Abandoned
In 1853, a flood damaged the fort. The next year, a group of Shoshone attacked a wagon train nearby. This event, known as the Ward Massacre, killed 19 pioneers.
Because of the attack and the flood damage, the military decided the fort was too hard to defend. Also, the fur trade was ending. So, Fort Boise was abandoned in 1854. The traders moved their goods to other areas.
The site of Old Fort Boise is now a protected historical place. A rebuilt version of the fort is in the town of Parma. You can visit it by making an appointment.
New Fort Boise: A Military Post (1863–1912)
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Fort Boise
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Location in Idaho
Location in the United States
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| Location | About 0.5 mi (0.8 km). NE of State Capitol |
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| Nearest city | Boise, Idaho |
| Built | 1863, 162 years ago |
| Architect | U.S. Army |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000433 |
| Added to NRHP | November 9, 1972 |
Establishing the New Fort
On July 4, 1863, during the Civil War, the Union Army started building a new Fort Boise. Major Pinkney Lugenbeel was sent to pick the best spot for this new military base. The new location was 50 miles east of the old fur trading fort. It was along the Boise River, where the city of Boise would later grow.
The military built this new fort because there had been attacks on the Oregon Trail after the old fort was abandoned. The new fort was placed near important roads. These roads connected the Oregon Trail with busy mining areas like Owyhee and Boise Basin. The chosen spot had everything the soldiers needed: grass, water, wood, and stone.
Building and Life at the Fort
Major Lugenbeel and his soldiers worked hard to build living quarters for five companies. They built a sawmill and opened a quarry to get stone. One big problem for Lugenbeel was that many soldiers left to try their luck in the nearby mines. More than 50 men deserted in the first few months.
The fort was also known as Boise Barracks or Camp Boise. The U.S. Army stayed at the fort for 49 years, leaving in 1912. After that, the National Guard used it until 1919. Then, the Public Health Service took it over. They used it as a center for soldiers who fought in World War I and for people with tuberculosis.
The hills above the fort were used for gunnery practice. In 1997, after a fire, firefighters found old artillery shells and other military items from those training days.
What Fort Boise Is Today (Post 1938)
In 1938, the Veterans Administration took over the site. Today, it operates the Boise VA Medical Center, which helps military veterans. In 1957, a hospital called the Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital was built on part of the old fort's land. The Federal Building, which includes a U.S. Court House, was built in 1968. It also sits on a section of the original fort site.
Fort Boise Park
The City of Boise bought a part of the old fort's land in 1950. This area became Fort Boise Park. The park was originally about 40 acres. In 1956, some land was traded to the Elks organization for their new hospital. Today, the park is about 33 acres.
Fort Boise Park is a great place for sports and fun. It has a community center, six lighted tennis courts, and three lighted softball fields. There's also a lighted baseball diamond used by Boise High School and American Legion baseball teams. In the northwest corner of the park, there's a skateboard park. It's built below ground with walls that are 3 to 6 feet high.
A scene from the Clint Eastwood movie Bronco Billy was filmed in Fort Boise Park in October 1979.
