Bown, Joseph, House
2020 E. Victory Rd., Boise, IDThe Joseph Bown residence is significant as a surviving example of early Idaho farmhouse architecture employing stone.
Joseph Bown came to Idaho in 1863 and mined gold at Idaho City. In 1865 he brought his family out from Iowa and in 1869 started his ranch three miles east of Boise. At first, the family lived in a log house, but in 1879 the present structure was built. The stone was quarried across the river at the "Buckley quarry," near Table Rock. When completed it was considered the grandest dwelling in Boise's outlying districts. The Browns lived in this house until 1893 when they moved to a farm south of Boise. W. T. Booth, a realtor, purchased the property and held it until 1927 when it was sold to J. R. Bright.
The house, still surrounded by open pasture land, remains a significant local landmark. It is a substantial, rare, and well-preserved example of a pre-1890s Idaho stone farmhouse.
Local significance of the building:
Joseph Bown came to Idaho in 1863 and mined gold at Idaho City. In 1865 he brought his family out from Iowa and in 1869 started his ranch three miles east of Boise. At first, the family lived in a log house, but in 1879 the present structure was built. The stone was quarried across the river at the "Buckley quarry," near Table Rock. When completed it was considered the grandest dwelling in Boise's outlying districts. The Browns lived in this house until 1893 when they moved to a farm south of Boise. W. T. Booth, a realtor, purchased the property and held it until 1927 when it was sold to J. R. Bright.
The house, still surrounded by open pasture land, remains a significant local landmark. It is a substantial, rare, and well-preserved example of a pre-1890s Idaho stone farmhouse.
Exploration/settlement; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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Idaho is home to the deepest river gorge in North America, the Hells Canyon, which is more than a mile deep. It's located on the border with Oregon and is a popular destination for whitewater rafting and other outdoor activities.
About Ada County
Ada County Timeline
Ada County is located in southwestern Idaho and was established in 1864. It is named after Ada Riggs, daughter of the first settler in the area, H.C. Riggs. The region was originally inhabited by the Shoshone and Bannock Native American tribes. In the early 1800s, European fur traders and explorers began to arrive in the area.
The discovery of gold in the Boise Basin in the 1860s led to a population boom in Ada County and its county seat, Boise City. The area became a major supply center for miners, and many settlers moved to the county in search of prosperity. Agriculture also thrived in the fertile Boise River Valley, with farmers growing crops such as potatoes, grains, and orchard fruits.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ada County experienced significant growth and development. The completion of the Oregon Short Line Railroad in 1887 boosted the local economy, opening up new markets for agricultural products and facilitating transportation. The city of Boise became a regional economic hub, attracting businesses, government institutions, and educational facilities.
Throughout the 20th century, Ada County continued to grow, with an increasing population and expanding infrastructure. The county's economy diversified, and industries such as manufacturing, technology, and healthcare emerged. Today, Ada County is known for its thriving economy, outdoor recreational opportunities, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a desirable place to live and visit in Idaho.
The discovery of gold in the Boise Basin in the 1860s led to a population boom in Ada County and its county seat, Boise City. The area became a major supply center for miners, and many settlers moved to the county in search of prosperity. Agriculture also thrived in the fertile Boise River Valley, with farmers growing crops such as potatoes, grains, and orchard fruits.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ada County experienced significant growth and development. The completion of the Oregon Short Line Railroad in 1887 boosted the local economy, opening up new markets for agricultural products and facilitating transportation. The city of Boise became a regional economic hub, attracting businesses, government institutions, and educational facilities.
Throughout the 20th century, Ada County continued to grow, with an increasing population and expanding infrastructure. The county's economy diversified, and industries such as manufacturing, technology, and healthcare emerged. Today, Ada County is known for its thriving economy, outdoor recreational opportunities, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a desirable place to live and visit in Idaho.
Ada County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Ada County, Idaho.
- 1805 - Lewis and Clark Expedition passes through the area now known as Ada County.
- 1812 - The first fur trading post, known as Fort Boise, is established by the British Hudson's Bay Company.
- 1843 - The Oregon Trail is established, bringing settlers to the region.
- 1863 - Ada County is created as one of the original counties of Idaho Territory.
- 1864 - Boise becomes the capital of the Idaho Territory.
- 1872 - The first railroad reaches Boise, spurring growth and development in the area.
- 1892 - The Idaho State Penitentiary is constructed in Boise.
- 1912 - Idaho becomes a state, and Boise remains its capital.
- 1959 - The East End Historic District in Boise is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1973 - The Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center opens, providing educational programs about the area's wildlife and natural resources.
- 1996 - The World Center for Birds of Prey, operated by The Peregrine Fund, opens in Boise.
- 2020 - Ada County experiences rapid population growth and becomes a thriving economic center.