A Brief History of Boise

In 1863, Fort Boise was established by the United States Army as a military post during the Civil War. On December 7, 1864, Boise became the designated capital of Idaho Territory and the Idaho Tri-Weekly Statesman became an official newspaper. In 1866, the Christ Chapel was built, which is now on the campus of Boise State University and is one of the oldest chapels in the state. Henry E. Prickett was the mayor of Boise for two months in 1867 and the Territorial Prison was built in 1870. The first major government building in the Idaho Territory. Ten years later, the Historical Society of Idaho Pioneers was organized, which preserves and promotes Idaho’s cultural history. In 1890, Boise became the capitol of the new state of Idaho.

In 1900, the population of Boise was 5,957. The Carnegie Public Library was built in 1905 and the Julia Davis park was established in 1907. In 1908, the Swedish Lutheran Church was built, which was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The Idaho State Capitol opened in 1912, and by 1920 there were 21,393 people living in Boise. In 1925, the Union Pacific Deposit opened, a former train station. The Egyptian Theater opened in 1927, which is now the oldest theater in the city. In 1932, Boise Junior College opened and was in place until 1969. The first Albertsons supermarket opened in Boise in 1939, and the Hillcrest Country Club opened at the former Idaho Country Club.

Boise Today

Today, Boise has a population of over 200,000 people and Downtown Boise is the cultural center of the city and is home to many small businesses. Boise also contains the only human rights memorial in the United States, the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. The city offers lots of recreational opportunities with its many trails and parks. Boise is also a hub for jazz and theater lovers; the Gene Harris Jazz Festival and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival are held in Boise every year.

Some notable people from Boise include:

  • Aaron Paul: Paul is an actor who is best known for playing Jesse Pinkman in the AMC hit drama Breaking Bad. For the role, he won a Critics’ Choice Award for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, a Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor, and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, becoming the first actor to win all three awards.
  • Jeret Peterson: Jeret “Speedy” Peterson was an American World Cup aerial skier who won the silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. 
  • Bill Buckner: Buckner was a Major League Baseball first baseman and left fielder who played for the Chicago Cubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Boston Red Sox. After retiring from baseball, Buckner and his family moved to Boise and he invested in real estate in the area.
  • Stephen J. Fife: Fife is a professional baseball pitcher who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Saitama Seibu Lions in Japan. He was born and raised in Boise and was one of the members of Idaho’s first-ever team at the Little League World Series in 1999.

Your Trusted Local Auto Repair Shop

Most Boise residents rely on their cars to get them where they need to go. When their vehicles need repairs or scheduled maintenance, they come to Oscars Automotive in Boise. Our technicians have decades of combined experience and receive ongoing training on all things automotive repair. Here are some of our guiding principles:

  • By creating a lasting opportunity, our customers and friends alike will reap the benefits of what we achieve.
  • Acting with honesty, integrity, and kindness creates an unforgettable experience.
  • Growing as individuals and as a business gives us the tools to help others thrive in their life’s pursuits.
  • Our desire is to help customers have an experience that is informed to enrich their understanding of automotive.

If you are a Boise resident, feel free to come to Oscars Automotive! You can schedule an appointment with us online or call us at (208) 629-8880.

Oscar's Family

For honest and efficient engine repairs in Boise, ID, turn to the capable team at Oscars Automotive. “Life’s too short to drive boring cars.”

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Our technicians use the latest technology to not only tell you if there are any issues with your vehicle, but show you. If we uncover an issue the photo will be e-mailed to you for your records. At the end of every visit you will receive a detailed report regarding the general health of your vehicle. Our #1 goal is to keep you safe on the road. We take pride in offering the BMW service Meridian, ID and surrounding areas depend on!