Nampa, Idaho


Nampa is located in the Treasure Valley of Southwest Idaho and is the third largest city in the U.S. State of Idaho. Idaho's Banana Belt. For many people in Nampa, the parks are a vital component. Residents play everything from horseshoes to tennis in the public parks. The city has basketball courts, swimming pools, tennis courts, softball fields, rose gardens, amphitheater, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, a BMX bicycle racetrack, barbecue and picnic areas, and much more.



To See And To Do In Nampa


  • Nampa Train Depot Museum
  • Rusty Retro Antiques And Oddities
  • Sawtooth Winery
  • The Warhawk Air Museum
  • Downtown
  • The Idaho Center
  • Wilson Springs Ponds
  • Nampa Greenbelt
  • The Snake River Stampede Rodeo


History Of Nampa - Timeline


The settlement in Nampa began in the early 1880s. In 1883, the Oregon Short Line Railroad passed through Nampa and the city grows from 15 homes to 50 in one year. Also in 1883, the Idaho Press-Tribune was published.

In 1885, the railroad promoter and land developer, Alexander Duffes, founded Nampa, He helped with the development of the town and he invested a lot of money in improvement, and in 1886, he platted the Nampa town site. In 1891, a municipal government was formed and the town of Nampa was incorporated, and the Police Department and the first fire station was established. In 1899, the MacMillan Chapel was built.

By 1900, ten passenger trains a day were coming through and about 800 people lived in the city. In 1901, Colonel William Dewey, a wealthy mining gentleman, built the Dewey Palace, a luxurious Nampa hotel. In 1902, the Dewey Palace Hotel was built. In 1903, the Nampa Depot, a former passenger station, was built. Today's Canyon County Historical Society and Museum. In 1906, Alexander Duffes house was moved and on the same site, the Danish saloon owner, brewing owner, and mayor, Jacob P. Lockman, built the Jacob P. Lockman House.

In 1908, a Carnegie library was built in downtown. In 1909, the entire downtown block between 12th and 13th Avenues and 1stand Front Streets was destroyed when a fire cracker exploded in a cigar store. In 1910, the Idaho State Sanitarium, (today it is the Idaho State School and Hospital) was completed, and the Nampa Department Store was built. In 1913, the Northwest Nazarene College was founded.

In 1918, the Idaho State School opened and the Nampa Presbyterian Church was built. In 1919, the E. H. Dewey Stores and the Mercy Hospital was built. Also in 1919, the Farmers and Merchants Bank building (today the Nampa Public Library) was completed. In 1931, the Post Office building was completed. In 1965, the Karcher Mall opened. In 1997, the Idaho Center opened.