1954 Map of Boise

About this map

Boise and its immediate surroundings are depicted here during a period of significant mid-century expansion, centered on the Boise River valley and extending into the Boise National Forest. The map documents a dense network of local education and social infrastructure, ranging from Boise Jr College and St Marys Sch to the Veterans Hosp and the sprawling State Penitentiary complex. In the highlands to the east, the landscape transitions from urban development to an active mining and ranching district, featuring the Adelmann Mine, Queen Mine, and the Davidson Ranch. The completion of major water management projects is evident with the presence of Lucky Peak Reservoir and the Barber Pond, which fundamentally altered the river corridor near the old Oregon Trail. This survey also captures the city's emerging aviation role at the Boise Air Terminal and the remnants of earlier settlements like Holcomb (Aband).