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National Register of Historic Places listings in Canyon County, Idaho facts for kids

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Map of Idaho highlighting Canyon County
Location of Canyon County in Idaho

Welcome to Canyon County, Idaho! This page is all about the cool, old places in our county that are so special they've been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Think of this register as a super important list of buildings, areas, and sites across the United States that tell amazing stories about our past. When a place is on this list, it means it's worth protecting and remembering for future generations.

In Canyon County, we have many of these special spots – 47 of them, to be exact! They include old homes, schools, churches, and even entire neighborhoods. Each one has a unique history, showing us how people lived, worked, and built things long ago. Let's explore some of these fascinating places!

Historic Gems in Caldwell

Caldwell is home to many of Canyon County's historic treasures. These buildings and areas help us imagine what life was like in the past.

Old Homes and Buildings

  • F. F. Beale House: This house at 1802 Cleveland Boulevard was added to the list in 1993. It's a great example of the homes built in Caldwell many years ago.
  • Henry W. and Ida Frost Dorman House: Located at 114 E. Logan Street, this house joined the register in 2000. It shows the style of homes from the early 1900s.
  • Thomas K. Little House: You can find this historic home at 703 E. Belmont Street. It was recognized in 1980 for its historical importance.
  • A. K. Steunenberg House: This house, at 409 N. Kimball Avenue, was listed in 1982. It's a reminder of the early residents of Caldwell.
  • U.S. Post Office – Caldwell Main: The main post office building at 823 Arthur Street became a historic site in 1989. It's where people have sent and received mail for decades.

College of Idaho Landmarks

The College of Idaho campus in Caldwell has several buildings on the National Register. These buildings have seen many students come and go over the years.

  • Blatchley Hall: This building on the College of Idaho campus was listed in 1978. It's an important part of the college's history.
  • Sterry Hall: Also on the College of Idaho campus, Sterry Hall was added to the register in 1978. It has served the college for a long time.
  • Carrie Adell Strahorn Memorial Library: This library, located on the College of Idaho campus, was recognized in 1982. It's a place where generations of students have studied and learned.

Other Notable Caldwell Sites

  • Boise River and Canal Bridge: This bridge on Plymouth Street was listed in 2007. Bridges are often important for connecting communities and helping people travel.
  • Caldwell Carnegie Library: Built with money from famous businessman Andrew Carnegie, this library at 1101 Cleveland Boulevard became historic in 1979. Carnegie libraries were built all over the country to help people learn.
  • Caldwell Odd Fellow Home for the Aged: This building on N. 14th Avenue was listed in 1982. It was once a home for older people, showing how communities cared for their elders.
  • St. Mary's Catholic Church: Located at 616 Dearborn Street, this church was added to the register in 1982. Churches often serve as important community centers for many years.

Caldwell Historic Districts

A historic district is an area with several buildings that are all important to history.

  • Caldwell Historic District: This area, roughly bounded by Railroad and Arthur Streets and 7th and 9th Avenues, was listed in 1982. It includes many old buildings that show how Caldwell grew.
  • Caldwell Residential Historic District: This district, roughly bounded by Cleveland Boulevard, Everett Street, S. 12th Avenue, and S. 20th Avenue, was recognized in 2002. It's a neighborhood with many historic homes.
  • North Caldwell Historic District: This district includes parts of 9th, Albany, and Belmont Streets. It was added to the register in 1979, preserving another important part of Caldwell's past.

Nampa's Historical Highlights

Nampa also has many buildings and areas that tell its story.

Important Buildings in Nampa

  • E. H. Dewey Stores: These stores at 1013-1015 1st Street, S., were listed in 1982. They show what early businesses in Nampa looked like.
  • Farmers and Merchants Bank: This bank building at 101 11th Avenue, S., became historic in 1976. Banks are often central to a town's growth and economy.
  • Horse Barn: Located northeast of Nampa at the Idaho State School and Hospital, this barn was listed in 1978. It's a reminder of the agricultural history of the area.
  • Idaho State Sanitarium Administration Building: This building, northeast of Nampa on 11th Avenue, N., was added in 1982. It was once part of a facility that helped people with health needs.
  • Jacob P. Lockman House: This home at 23 9th Avenue N was recognized in 2005. It's a good example of a historic Nampa residence.
  • Nampa American Legion Chateau: This building at 1508 2nd Street, S., was listed in 1982. It served as a meeting place for veterans.
  • Nampa and Meridian Irrigation District Office: Located at 1503 1st Street, S., this office was added in 1982. It played a key role in managing water for farms in the area.
  • Nampa City Hall: The old city hall at 203 12th Avenue, S., was listed in 1985, though it was later taken down in 1991. Even if a building is gone, its history can still be recognized.
  • Nampa Department Store: This store at 1st Street, S. and 13th Avenue was listed in 1982. It was once a major shopping spot for the community.
  • Nampa Depot: The old train station at 12th Avenue and Front Street was recognized in 1972. Train depots were vital for travel and trade in the past.
  • Nampa First Methodist Episcopal Church: This church at 12th Avenue, S. and 4th Street was listed in 1982. It's an important part of Nampa's religious history.
  • Nampa Presbyterian Church: Located at 2nd Street and 15th Avenue, S., this church was added in 1982.
  • Nampa Valley Grange No.131: This building at 203 5th Avenue, S., was listed in 2013. Granges were community organizations for farmers.
  • U.S. Post Office – Nampa Main: The main post office at 123 11th Avenue, S., became historic in 1989.
  • Orton H. Wiley House: This house at 524 E. Dewey Avenue was added to the register in 1986.

Nampa Historic Districts

  • Nampa Historic District: This district covers the 1200 and 1300 blocks of S. 1st Street. It was listed in 1983 and includes many important older buildings in Nampa's downtown.
  • Old Nampa Neighborhood Historic District: Roughly bounded by 4th Avenue, S, 4th Street, S, 11th Avenue, S, and 9th Street, S., this district was recognized in 2007. It's another area with many historic homes and buildings.

Historic Sites in Other Canyon County Towns

Parma's Past

  • Fort Boise and Riverside Ferry Sites: Northwest of Parma on the Snake River, these sites were listed in 1974. They are important because they mark where an old trading post and ferry crossing used to be.
  • Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church: This church at 608 7th Street was listed in 1982. Although the building no longer exists, its historical significance is still recognized.
  • A. H. Stewart House: This house at 3rd Street and Bates Avenue was listed in 1979. It also no longer exists but was once an important part of Parma's history.

Wilder's Heritage

  • Ellen Houlder Farm: This farm on Arena Valley Road west of Wilder was listed in 1994. It represents the agricultural history of the area.
  • George Obendorf Gothic Arch Truss Barn: This unique barn at 24047 Batt Corner Road near Wilder was recognized in 1999. Its special design makes it stand out.
  • Peckham Barn: Located north of Wilder on U.S. Route 95, this barn was added in 1982. It's another example of the important farm buildings in the county.

Middleton and Roswell

  • Middleton Substation: This substation on Idaho State Highway 44 in Middleton was listed in 1973. It played a role in providing electricity to the area.
  • Roswell Grade School: This old school at Idaho State Highway 18 and Stephan Lane in Roswell was recognized in 1982. It educated many children over the years.

Ancient History and Natural Wonders

Canyon County also has sites that tell stories from much, much longer ago.

  • Diversion Dam and Deer Flat Embankments: Southeast of Boise on the Boise River, this site was listed in 1976. It's a large engineering project that helped bring water to farms.
  • Guffey Butte – Black Butte Archeological District: This huge area along the Snake River was listed in 1978. It contains ancient sites where people lived thousands of years ago, with interesting rock carvings called petroglyphs.
  • Map Rock Petroglyphs Historic District: Located on Map Rock Road near Givens Hot Springs, this district was recognized in 1982. It's famous for its ancient rock art, which tells stories from early Native American cultures.

Former Listings

Sometimes, a building that was once on the National Register of Historic Places might be removed. This can happen if the building is changed too much, or if it's taken down.

  • Academy Building, College of Idaho: This building at 1015 Albany Street in Caldwell was listed in 1978 but was removed from the list in 1986.

These historic places in Canyon County are like open books, each telling a part of Idaho's amazing story. They help us understand where we came from and appreciate the efforts of those who came before us.

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