78. O'FARRELL CABIN Boise, ID

The O'Farrell Cabin is located  at 450 W. Fort Street. The cabin is the oldest family home in the city and retains 85% its original construction. The O'Farrell family donated some land for the first Catholic Church in Boise. John A. O'Farrell was born in Ireland in 1823. His wife Mary Ann responsible for the first Catholic services in the valley. Services were held in the cabin for four years. (Information Courtesy of City of Boise.)

77. DUNKLEY MUSIC Boise, ID

Dunkley Music of  Boise was founded by William K. and Dorothy Dunkley in 1950. William and his brother started a piano store in Ogden, Utah in 1946. Since it was after WWII new pianos weren't so readily available. They made a trip to Chicago and purchased a railroad car containing used pianos. William K. wanted to represent the best in pianos one brand being Steinway & Sons. So William and his wife moved to Boise in 1950 and opened Dunkley Music. The stores theme is "the richest child is poor without music". How different would our lives be if there was no music? I can remember playing one of my first piano recitals at the store.

This Steinway piano was owned by the late Vladimir Horowitz. Horowitz was considered to be one of the greatest pianists of the 20th Century. He first debuted in 1928 and was called a tornado unleashed.  He purchased this piano in 1935 and it traveled with him all over the world. The piano has been traveling around the Idaho region before it heads back to its home in New York.



76. CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HISTORIC HOUSES OF WORSHIP, Boise, ID

On Sunday December 26th the Historic churches of Downtown Boise opened their doors to the public. Each church provided guides and information about their church. It was a self-guided tour to look at the Christmas decorations, view the different architectural styles and hear special music.

Inside St. John's on the corner of 8th & Hays

Construction of the St. John's Cathedral began in 1906

Boise First United Methodist Church

First Baptist Church

The St. Michael's congregation was organized in 1864.





Christmas decorations inside St. Michael's

It was interesting to learn about some of early history of the churches in Boise. The stained glassed windows are beautifully detailed. 

52. CAPITOL BUILDING, Boise, ID

700 W Jefferson St
Boise, Idaho 83702

The newly remodeled and expanded Capitol Building is a place to gather and learn the history of the Idaho and to become involved in local politics. Imagine how majestic this building must have looked back in the early 1900 when it was built. The dome rose into the Boise skyline at a height of 208 ft. Built from locally quarried sandstone, the building stands as a historical landmark of early Idaho and as the epicenter of local current events.

Earlier this week the Treasure Hunters were able to be part of a private tour of the building. We learned that anyone can come to the capital and be involved in our local government.  You could go to a committee meeting or even watch a session of the senate or house of representatives.  The pictures below are just a glimpse of what the building has to offer aesthetically.

On Monday November 22, from 6-7:30pm the Holiday Tree Lighting on the Capitol will take place. Join Governor Otter and his wife for the festivities. I heard they are going to be giving tours. What a fun thing for the whole family and a great way to kick off the holiday season!


51. WORLD FAMOUS CIGARETTE COLLECTION, Boise, ID

Not a smoker? Don't worry this post is for everybody.

 I'm not a smoker but I do love history and old things so this is right up my ally.

The World Famous Chas Allan/ Brass Lamp Cigarette Collection

Located in the Pioneer Tent Building at 6th and Main St. in downtown Boise. This collection features over 1000 different brands from all over the world and include cartoons from all the way back to 1800 hundreds.

Check it out.

49. PIONEER TENT BUILDING, Boise, ID

The Pioneer Tent Building sits on the corner of 6th and Main.

Built in 1910 for Pioneer Tent and Awning Company. They started in humble beginnings in a frame building located at 516 Main Street. The Company’s founders had seen a need in the Boise area for canvas duck goods and had decided to make them locally. By 1903 the company was advertising in the city directory that they were manufacturers and dealers in “Tents, Awnings, Wagon covers, Machine, Hay and Grain Pauling, Miners’ and Herders’ Supplies, and Cotton Duck goods of every description.” By 1905 the company had relocated in slightly more commodious quarters when they moved into a building at 524 W. Main, formerly occupied by a grocery store.  (Information courtesy of the Idaho State Historical Society)

Photo Courtesy of Old Boise Historic District

The rapid expansion soon caused the company to outgrow its quarters, so a new brick building was constructed on the corner of Sixth and Main in 1910. This building was two stories in height, with display and sales rooms on the first floor and manufacturing shops on the second floor. The business operated in the same location but became known as the Pioneer Company. Its name was appropriate as it was the first business of its kind in the state, and it outlasted its competitors. (Information courtesy of Idaho Historical Society)




Photo Courtesy of Old Historic Boise

Today the building houses Chronic Tacos , Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches, Moxie Java, Idaho Indie Works and many more businesses. The building also has a old phone booth, post office and a few other historic items.  For a complete listing of the building occupants go to www.oldboise.com . This website also has information and photos of the past and present.

44. VETERANS CEMETERY, Boise, ID

Thank You.

 These simple words just begin to express my heart felt gratitude for the men and women who have fought for the freedoms of our country. Today I hope that everyone will share with me in expressing appreciation to all the brave soldiers, past and present.

In honor of Veteran's Day today we thought we would explore the hollowed ground of the Idaho Veteran's Cemetery. This 75 acre plot is located above the Dry Creek Cemetery, north of Hill Rd.

As I drove up to the top of the cemetery I thought how fitting it was that it overlooks the valley with an amazing view. I'm always touched that the final resting place for the valiant would invoke such feeling of

awe and reverence.  At the top you can also the see each branch of the military seals.

  

 

This is a great place for a drive to overlook the valley, to teach your kids about the country, or freedom and the founding principles of the nation.  Many trails also run along the foothills near the cemetery that are great for a hike.

In memory of all the veterans, thank a veteran today. Thank you for our freedom.

43. BOWN HOUSE, Boise, ID

Originally the home of Joseph and Temperance Bown, this house still stands as a legacy of early Boise settlers.  Currently it is a place for students and visitors to learn more about the valley and how the early pioneers in Boise lived.

The house is located on the property of Riverside Elementary and is open to the public for tours on the first Saturday of the month from 1-4pm.  Tours are often given by 4th grade students in the valley.  During the week, 4th grade students in the valley visit the Bown house to learn about the early history of the school in the valley.  The upstairs bedroom in the house have been converted into a mini classrooms.  The students learn the skills required to run a house, a farm and a school back in the of the late eighteen hundreds.

Facts about the house:

- Built in 1879 of sand stone from the Table Rock Mesa.

- In 1889 the Boise School house burnt down and the Bown's opened their house for the school.

- In 1893 the Bown's sold the house and moved further west.

- In 1977 the house was named a historical landmark.

- In 1988 the Boise School district purchased the land to build Riverside Elementary.  Thanks to the Idaho Historical Society the building was not torn down and is now used for educational purposes.

This was one of my favorite artifacts it is an old practice paper. This is what Ralph Phillips had to write over and over again:

"If a task is once begun,

Never leave it till it's done,

Be the labor great or small,

do it well or not at all."

 Look what some of the Treasure Hunters got into.

Stephanie, Crystal, Clarissa, Ranae

41. OREGON TRAIL TRAILHEAD, Boise, ID

 Being a native of the Treasure Valley I have come to enjoy the many trails in our backyard. I have recently discovered some new trails in southeast Boise. The Oregon Trail Trailhead is one of them and is located off of highway 21 heading up towards Lucky Peak. Just look for the sign along the highway.

  

This place marks the path for the Oregon Trail in this area and gives you information of the trail in the Treasure Valley. One new fact that I learned about the preservation of the Oregon Trail was about a man named Erza Meeker. Meeker was one of the original pioneers that made the trek in 1852. He was also a advocate in informing and educating others about the history of the trail.

CRYSTAL