With sprawling monuments that range from the Boise River Greenbelt to the Old Idaho Penitentiary, there is no shortage of notable landmarks for visitors to explore. Residents have turned these monuments into essential elements of their communities, but there are numerous obscure and outstanding monuments located throughout Boise that have become just as important to the city.
Formerly known as Capitol Park, Cecil D. Andrus Park is a mini-park located just outside of the entrance to the State Capitol. Renamed in honor of Idaho’s longest-serving governor in 2018, the mini-space is the result of an effort to transform the park into a central meeting place for people working downtown and for visitors to the State Capitol. Engraved bricks were used to widen the existing asphalt walkway and enlarge the central point into a 20-foot diameter plaza, allowing all sorts of city and community events to take place there.
The Basque population in Boise is one of the most notable in the United States. The Basque Block in Boise consists of a small number of cultural centers and businesses that maintain every aspect of Basque culture. The Basque Mural was painted for the City of Boise in 2000 in honor and recognition of this community. The mural contains images depicting Basque Explorers & Merchants, the Tree of Gernika, Uberuaga/Aguirre Boarding House and more.
The “Hospitality of Nez Perce” bronze statue depicts Lewis & Clark with Nez Perce tribal chief, Twisted Hair. The chief motions to the west which is the direction that their journey would take them. Twisted Hair’s young son Lawyer is at their feet, enthralled by the elements of trade.
Dedicated in 2004, Penny Postcard is a mural that depicts numerous penny postcards that were among the most popular images in the early 20th century. The images were designed to provide a sense of civic pride. They were chosen by artist Mark Baltes to further convey the innocence and optimism they typified the early 20th century.
These are just a few of the obscure and outstanding monuments that are spread across Boise. Other pieces of public art and historic monuments located outside the capital and across the city are directly linked to the past and present of Boise and all of Idaho.
