Old Fort Boise on the Oregon Trail

My Dad and I visited the Old Fort Boise replica back in the fall while on the hunt for historical markers in the Boise area. Although I have visited the Old Fort Boise replica in Parma before, it has been many years since the last time. We enjoyed looking at the exhibits and talking with the friendly people. The replica is a good glance back in time to see what life was like for those who traveled on the Oregon Trail and settled the West.

Old Fort Boise has an interesting history dating back to the 1800's. The original Fort Boise was built at the mouth of the Boise River in 1834 by the British Hudson's Bay Company. Even after the fur trade declined when beavers disappeared from the rivers, the fort remained as a vital supply center during the height of the westward migration of pioneers over the Oregon Trail. It became popular for its hospitality and as a place where the emigrants could get much needed supplies.

In 1853, the Boise River flooded and washed away the adobe buildings. An attempt was made to rebuilt it, but this effort was abandoned due to the increasing hostility of Indians and the loss of British prestige in the Northwest. A monument now stands at the approximate site of the original fort a few miles away. In the 1860's, when gold was discovered in the Boise Basin, a military fort, also called Fort Boise, was established by President Lincoln at the upper end of the valley.

The Old Fort Boise replica in Parma is filled with all sorts of artifacts, reproductions, and even an informational video. We saw reproductions of an old one room cabin, one room schoolhouse, and blacksmith's shop. The fort had old wagons, buggys, and farming equipment. We also saw old photographs and newspapers. There was even a room dedicated to Idaho military history. Overall, it is a great place to see, and I'd recommend stopping there to anyone visiting the area.

Links to Learn More:

• More of my photos from Old Fort Boise
• Oregon Trail in Idaho - Fort Boise