Boise’s Main Street had rich — and wet — beginnings in the 1860s and 1870s
Boise’s Main Street over the years has presented a rich and varied series of activities, of which this, from the Idaho Tri-Weekly Statesman of Aug. 12, 1865, is one of the earliest: “Panorama. A panorama of the civil war in America, ancient scenes from the Bible, and a large number of miscellaneous and running comic views, will be exhibited in this city tonight in the canvas spread on the corner opposite the Statesman office (at Sixth and Main streets). In connection with it is a sword-swallower, stone-eater, and snake charmer.”
In March 1869: “Main Street. — It costs the immense sum of fifty cents each, for the respective occupants adjoining, contributed occasionally to have an Indian to sweep or to pump to sprinkle down the street. A few tight-wads said they couldn’t afford it, although the impoverished Indians, adjusting to a new life style, desperately needed the work.”
In July 1869: “MAIN STREET. — That stream of water running along the north-east side of Main Street is a pleasant arrangement, saving only that it ought to be a little better cared for and kept in its channel and free of rubbish. There should be one on each side of the street, and some pains taken to keep them clean and running freely. They would then be a great assistance in case of fire, and during the hot season materially aid in cooling the atmosphere.”
In October that year: “TOWN IMPROVEMENTS. — The upper end of Main Street presents quite a busy appearance, Mr. Marshal Moulton having purchased the stone building at the corner of Sixth and Main, has taken off the roof, and is now engaged in adding another story to the structure. The front will be of cut stone and the walls of brick, and when finished it will add much to the appearance of that portion of town. It is intended to be used for the Supreme Court we are informed and will be appropriately fitted up.
“Judge Curtis is also engaged in completing the building a few doors west of Mr. Moulton’s. The door caps will be of solid stone, handsomely ornamented by the chisel of Ostner, the artist. These buildings, when completed, will be a substantial improvement, as well as an ornament to our city.”
On Feb. 2, 1871: “STREETS OF THE CITY. — At the present time the streets of the city are fearful on shiny boots and trouserloon legs — especially Main Street. We respectfully suggest to our city authorities (whatever that may be) that they inquire into this thing, and, if practical, apply some remedy. We notice that on Idaho Street, on which the office of this paper is located, the soil is well capable of resisting the effect of the late ‘pluvial dispensation,’ both on account of its being on higher ground, and the sand and gravel in it. But Main Street appears to receive the drainage of this portion of the city, and to have enough loam in the soil to make it now of about the consistency of brick-yard mud. The matter might be remedied with little expense by making more crossings, or by constructing one or more drains to run off the water that now stands in the street.”
In January 1872 the Statesman wrote of “the horrible condition of Main Street” and noted that there had been “not a day’s work on Boise’s streets in the past seven years,” and a year later tried a new approach: “Boise City is still ahead in the way of public improvements. We can now boast of several first-class duck ponds on Main Street, which is certainly convenient for the ducks, if not for pedestrians and vehicleists.”