Historical Maps

Historical Maps Illustrate River Street’s Development

Historical maps obtained from the Idaho State Historical Society show the evolution of the River Street Neighborhood. Although the Boise River was constrained early in the twentieth century, development along the riverbank did not occur until the 1970s. The City has always had a strong desire to see this place grow (Check out these historical Newspaper articles on River Street’s development).

The initial platting of the River Street Neighborhood occurred during the late nineteenth century, in anticipation of the arrival of the Oregon Short Line Railroad. Prior to that, what would become the neighborhood was part of a number of land patents including that of John McClellan who platted the Riverside Addition in 1890.

John McClellan’s Cabin, Boise, Idaho (n.d.)

McClellan’s Riverside Addition led the way for additional plats, including Miller’s Addition (1890) and the City Park Addition (1890s). The River Street Neighborhood was ready for development by 1900.

In 1891, the Boise River dominated River Street

In the early 1900s, River Street residents had access to Riverside Park

The construction of Diversion Dam (1909) narrowed the Boise River, providing room for the Neighborhood to expand

There was room, but development of the floodplain was slow

The street alignments in River Street remained the same during the 1930s

Here is the Neighborhood just before major road realignments changed it forever

River Street in the Scope of Boise’s Growth

The River Street Neighborhood is only a small portion of Boise, Idaho. Generous permissions granted by the Idaho State Historical Society Archives has allowed the collection of a range of Historical Boise, Idaho maps that show the overall growth of the town. (NOTE: The digital files for these maps had to be greatly shrunk in order to upload them to this website. You can contact the archives if you’d like full-size, high-quality scans of these maps.)

This is one of the earliest maps depicting the River Street Neighborhood

The Riverside, City Park, and Miller’s Additions are all part of River Street. The neighborhood is little more than a sketch at this time.

River Street is sandwitched between downtown Boise and the Boise River. The Oregon Short Line tracks have turned River Street into the South Side of the Tracks.

Riverside Park is a major attraction for the River Street Area.

The dynamic Boise River would soon be tamed by 1909

River Street remains nestled by the railroad tracks. Boise has expanded to the south far from the river.

River Street remains much as it was when originally platted nearly 20 years previously.

Julia Davis Park has been completed, but the floodplain near River Street remains undeveloped

Urban infill is increasing south of the Boise River by the 1940s

This shows the River Street Neighborhood prior to the street realignments that changed the community during the 1970s–1990s.

In 1985, River Street was zoned for industrial development.

As is the story with all cities, the evolution of Boise and the River Street Neighborhood is documented in the historical maps that chronicle this change. River Street has been characterized by the location of the Boise River and the development whims of the Boise City government. Despite the fact that this place has been slated for industrial development, River Street remained home to hundreds of Boiseans since the 1890s– the South Side of the Tracks Kids.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.