Boise, Idaho

This article deals with the state capital of Idaho. For other places named Boise, refer to Boise (disambiguation).

History

The name, "Boise" comes from a French word, boisé, meaning "wooded" (or sometimes translated as "timber", although this is grammatically incorrect.) A group of French-Canadian fur trappers in the nineteenth century came to the Bonneville Point overlook and saw the area that would later encompass Boise and are said to have exclaimed "Les bois, les bois, voyez les bois!" (the trees, the trees, look at the trees). The areas to the east, south and west of the city are generally barren desert land. Boise is commonly referred to as "The City of Trees."

Related Topics:
French - French-Canadian - Fur trapper

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The name of the city is pronounced "BOY-see." Some non-natives (especially those unfamiliar with the area) pronounce the name "BOY-zee". See list of words of disputed pronunciation.

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Originally home to Fort Boise, the city of Boise was incorporated under a charter in 1864 by an act of the Idaho Territorial legislature.

Related Topics:
1864 - Idaho Territorial - Legislature

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A resolution to have the capital of the Idaho Territory moved from Lewiston to Boise was passed on December 7, 1864. It was changed in 1865. According to legend, the proposal for the switch was very unpopular, so members of the government snuck into the capital, stole the state seal from Lewiston and left quickly to avoid the public outrage that was sure to erupt when the citizens of Lewiston discovered the capital had been taken from them.

Related Topics:
Lewiston - December 7 - 1864 - 1865 - Legend

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Boise became the capital of the state of Idaho on July 3, 1890 when Idaho was admitted to the union as the 43rd state.

Related Topics:
July 3 - 1890

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