2024 ArchWalks

During ArchWalks Series #1, we took a drive to Canyon County to explore Middleton, the oldest town in Canyon County and one of the oldest in the state. Buildings in Middleton date from the 1880s and represent the village’s history as an agricultural center and transportation hub. At one time the tracks of the Idaho Northern Railway and the Boise & Interurban Railway crossed near the center of the village. Barbara took us for a stroll through the village to discover its unique history that includes the remnants of the S.S. Foote Flour Mill; the 1884 home of Jacob and Magdalena Plowhead, and the Lee Moberly Museum building listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

In ArchWalks Series #2, we joined Dan Everhart to tour one of the Central Bench’s premier mid-century residential neighborhoods. While platted just after the turn of the 20th century, distance from downtown slowed development until after the Second World War when the neighborhood’s large lots embraced sprawling ranches in a variety of stylistic motifs.

In ArchWalks Series #3, we took a blast from the past! Did you know that Boise has a bomb shelter, built exclusively to attract and accommodate new homeowners to a fantastic mid-century neighborhood in the Highlands? We joined local teacher and Preservation Idaho board member Doug Stan as we rediscovered the Cold War roots of a local community, focused on safety, modern amenities, and easy living.

In ArchWalks Series #4, we joined Richard in a tour amongst the mercantile buildings just west of the main downtown core. This area is very architecturally significant for its early 20th-century designs and boasts many structures by notable Idaho architects. From Romanesque Revival to Chateauesque, we’ve got pretty much all the commercial architectural styles of the early 20th. There’s even a modernist gem or two in the mix. These buildings housed groceries, dry goods, hardware, drugs, millinery, banks, a fraternal lodge as well as offices leasing to lawyers, doctors, and dentists. The past of these buildings is intriguing as they evolved and will continue to do so while retaining their architectural character.

While you might have driven past this area countless times, you might not have paused to consider its rich history. In ArchWalks Series #5, we uncovered the influence of the Oregon Trail, streetcars, and post-World War II urban sprawl on this neighborhood. We also examined its ongoing evolution, especially in addressing the housing demands of families and Boise State students. By looking at multiple buildings, including several on the National Register of Historic Places, this tour will illuminate the significance of South Boise within the broader context of the City.

Special thanks to Carrie Applegate, Barbara Perry Bauer, Dan Everhart, Richard Jarvis, and Doug Stan for their efforts in orchestrating these tours, and to our dedicated volunteers Jessica Alvarado, Lynn Thayer, and Carolyn Wolfe, and Rosemary Zimbelman for their contributions.

We’re excited to bring back an incredible lineup for our 2025 ArchWalks series, featuring five incredible tours exploring Boise’s architectural treasures.

Mark your calendars: tours will take place on the first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, from May through September.

Season ticket packages, which include all five ArchWalks in Series #1-5, will be available soon. Can’t make them all? No problem—individual tour tickets will also be available!

Member Benefit: Members get first access to season ticket packages. Stay tuned for more details!

Preservation Idaho is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We do not receive any ongoing state or federal operating funds. We fund our education and advocacy work through memberships, donations, sponsorships, and grants.

Our mission is to preserve Idaho's historic places through collaboration, education, and advocacy.

Visit our website to learn more:  www.preservationidaho.org 

Contact us

PO Box 1495, Boise, Idaho 83701 | 208-424-5111 |   info@preservationidaho.org