History About Nampa, Idaho

The area that is now Nampa, Idaholifornia was originally inhabited by the Northern Paiute tribe. White settlers first arrived in the region in the 1840s as part of the Oregon Trail migration. The discovery of gold in Idaho in the 1860s brought an influx of miners to the area.

In 1866, the Boise Valley Canal Company was formed to divert water from the Boise River for irrigation. This allowed for expanded agricultural development in the region. The town of Nampa was founded in 1886 alongside the Oregon Short Line Railroad. It was named after the Nampá people who lived along the Nampa-Boise Canal.

Founding of Nampa

Nampa was officially incorporated on January 11, 1891. The first city government consisted of a mayor and four councilmen. The early years of Nampa were marked by a rapid period of growth and development:

• In 1891, the Idaho and Oregon Land Improvement Company was formed to promote agricultural and commercial development in Nampa. Land was sold to new settlers arriving in the area.
• In 1898, the Idaho Sugar Company opened a sugar factory in Nampa, becoming the area’s first large industry.
• In 1906, the Pacific & Idaho Northern Railroad established their division point in Nampa, further connecting the town to the region.
• By 1910, Nampa’s population had grown to over 5,000 residents.

20th Century Development

In the early 20th century, Nampa continued to develop as an agricultural community and emerging economic center in southwestern Idaho:

• The Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District was formed in 1906 to manage irrigation canals in the area. This allowed for increased agricultural yields.
• Northwest Nazarene University was founded in Nampa in 1913 as the Idaho Holiness School. It was the first institute of higher education in the city.
• Historic downtown Nampa grew throughout the 1920s and 30s, with new businesses and civic institutions lining 12th Avenue.
• In the 1940s, Nampa saw additional growth as agricultural workers came to the area to take part in wartime industries and production.

After World War II, Nampa evolved from an agricultural town into a diversified small city:

• In the 1950s, Interstate 84 was constructed near Nampa, connecting the city to the national highway system.
• Manufacturing and food processing plants opened up in Nampa in the post-war period. Major employers included Amalgamated Sugar Company and Alexander & Baldwin.
• Kovach Machine Works and Norco were two companies founded in Nampa in the 1950s that became nationally recognized manufacturers.
• The Nampa Public Library opened in 1951, funded by grants from the Carnegie Foundation and the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation.

Late 20th Century Onwards

From the 1970s onwards, Nampa transformed from a small rural city into a booming suburb in the Boise metropolitan area:

• Several large residential subdivisions were constructed in the 1970s to 1990s to accommodate new residents and suburban growth, including Hunter’s Creek, Kings Hill, and Midway.
• In the early 1980s, Karcher Mall opened and became one of Nampa’s primary retail districts.
• The Nampa Police Department built a new headquarters in 1991 and the Nampa Civic Center was constructed in 1998. These signaled investments in civic infrastructure.
• The Nampa economy diversified in the late 20th century with prominent industries including manufacturing, food processing, technology, and healthcare.
• Nampa’s population rapidly grew from around 13,000 residents in 1970 to over 62,000 by 2000.
• Northwest Nazarene University continued expanding with additional colleges, degree programs, and sports teams added over the decades.

Moving into the 21st century, Nampa has become the largest suburb in the Boise metro area and a hub for commerce and development in Canyon County:

• Several major commercial projects have been completed recently, including the Karcher Mall expansion, Nampa Gateway Center, and Treasure Valley Marketplace.
• The Nampa Public Library built a large new main branch in 2020 which includes dedicated children’s areas, makerspaces, and community rooms.
• A new main office for the Department of Health and Welfare was opened in Nampa in 2010.
• Population growth has continued, with Nampa having around 100,000 residents as of 2023. It is now the third largest city in Idaho.
• Downtown Nampa has undergone revitalization efforts with new restaurants, shops, and housing bringing renewed vitality.

Historic Sites

Nampa has preserved connections to its historic roots with several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

• The Charles W. Bowles House is an 1891 Queen Anne-style home built by an early settler and businessman in Nampa. It is now open for tours.
• The H.W. Blatchley House is another Queen Anne-style home, erected in 1900, that showcases unique architectural elements.
• The Nampa Train Depot was originally built in 1918 and served the railway running through town. After being damaged by fire, it was restored in 1987.
• The Owyhee County Courthouse was constructed in 1918 using locally quarried sandstone. It continued operating as a county courthouse until 1970.
• The Nampa Civic Auditorium was dedicated in 1922 and used over the years for graduations, concerts, basketball games, and community events.
• The Nampa Public Library Historic Building still stands from its original construction in 1908 funded by Andrew Carnegie’s library grant program.

Demographics

Nampa has grown into one of the most populous and diverse cities in Idaho over the past century:

• The 1930 census recorded 5,263 residents in Nampa. By 2010, the population had risen to 81,557 residents.
• Hispanic and Latino residents currently make up about 30% of Nampa’s population.
• Other major ethnic groups in Nampa include white, Asian, Native American, African American, and Pacific Islander.
• Over 15% of households in Nampa speak Spanish as their primary language.
• The median age in Nampa is 32, as it has become popular with young families seeking affordable housing.
• Nampa has a relatively low cost of living compared to other western metro areas. Housing remains affordable for new residents.
• Per capita income in Nampa is below national averages, reflecting the dominance of agricultural and manufacturing employment historically.

Local Culture

Some highlights of Nampa’s local culture include:

• A vibrant performing arts scene anchored by the historic Nampa Civic Center auditorium which hosts plays, musicals, and concerts.
• The Warhawk Air Museum contains a collection of historical aircraft and artifacts commemorating aviation history.
• The Nampa Train Depot and Railroad Museum celebrates the city’s origins linked to the railroad. Visitors can take short train rides.
• A Saturday morning Farmers Market takes place downtown from May through October with fresh local produce, crafts, and food.
• The Nampa Public Library hosts a full calendar of community events ranging from children’s storytimes to adult trivia nights.
• Northwest Nazarene University’s athletic teams, the Crusaders, are followed avidly by local fans. Their home basketball arena regularly sells out.
• The Snake River Stampede rodeo and Pacific Northwest Pro Rodeo Finals held annually in Nampa draw competitors from across the country.
• Several local wineries, breweries, and distilleries can be found in Nampa and the surrounding region.
• The Nampa Civic Center hosts conventions, trade shows, and other major events that attract visitors.

Government

Nampa has operated under a Mayor-Council form of government since it first incorporated in 1891:

• The Mayor serves as the chief elected official and head of the executive branch, overseeing city departments.
• The City Council acts as the legislative body, with 6 elected council members representing different zones of the city.
• Key civic issues the local government deals with include public safety, zoning and land use, economic development, infrastructure expansion, and city budgeting.
• Some notable Mayors in Nampa’s history have been Alexander Duffes (1893-1897), James Lippencott (1920-1922), and Tom Dale (since 2008).
• The Mayor and City Council positions are nonpartisan, but issues like growth management have divided local politicians along ideological lines at times.
• Nampa created the position of City Administrator in the 1970s to manage day-to-day municipal government operations on the Mayor’s behalf.
• Residents can get involved by attending City Council meetings, joining local boards and commissions, or volunteering for civic programs.

Overall, Nampa’s government has gradually expanded and professionalized over the decades to manage the city’s rapid population growth and urbanization.

Education

The Nampa School District provides public primary and secondary education throughout the city:

• It operates 17 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 4 high schools serving around 13,000 students.
• Nampa High School, founded in 1895, is the city’s oldest public high school. Columbia, Skyview, and Union high schools opened later.
• Several public charter school options exist across Nampa, including Liberty Charter School, Idaho Arts Charter School, and Nampa Classical Academy.
• Northwest Nazarene University is the main center of higher education in Nampa with around 2,000 undergraduate and 500 graduate students.
• College of Western Idaho (CWI) has a campus in Nampa providing career technical and community college programs. CWI was founded in 2007.
• The Nampa Public Library supports education by providing free access to books, computers, and classes for residents of all ages.

As Nampa has grown over time, the school system has had to continuously expand to provide updated facilities and educational opportunities for each generation of students.

Business and Industry

Some of the major industries that have fueled Nampa’s economy over the decades include:

• Agriculture: Dairy farms, cattle ranching, and crop production were early economic drivers. Amalgamated Sugar and Simplot still operate large factories.
• Food Manufacturing: In addition to sugar beets, Nampa produces and processes onions, potatoes, and other agricultural goods.
• Railroads and Transportation: Nampa remains an important railroad junction and trucking center for the region.
• Timber and Wood Products: Several lumber and forestry companies operate in Nampa, processing Idaho’s timber resources.
• Manufacturing and Processing: From machinery and metals to concrete and plastics, Nampa has diverse industrial facilities.
• Healthcare: Major hospitals and healthcare networks provide thousands of jobs. The St. Luke’s Nampa campus opened in 2009.
• Retail: As Canyon County’s population center, Nampa contains multiple large shopping centers and national retail brands.
• Technology: Recent growth in tech companies and data centers capitalizing on Nampa’s fiber network.

Nampa seeks to promote balanced economic growth – retaining agricultural and industrial firms while attracting new tech companies and startups. The regional airport and low taxes also make it appealing for business investment.

Transportation

Nampa’s transportation connections have been key to its development:

• Rail: Amtrak’s Union Pacific main line still runs through Nampa, with passenger service available. Freight trains also operate, reflecting Nampa’s origins as a railroad town.
• Roads: Interstate 84 and Highway 55 intersect in Nampa, providing links to Boise and Oregon. A downtown truck route was built to reduce congestion.
• Air: The Nampa Municipal Airport handles regional flights and private aviation. Boise International Airport is 20 minutes away.
• Public Transit: Valley Regional Transit offers bus service in Nampa and the Treasure Valley. Intercounty routes connect to Boise and Caldwell.
• Cycling: An expanding system of bike lanes, paths, and routes runs through Nampa. The Indian Creek Pathway connects to neighboring communities.

Future transportation priorities include extended public transit service, sidewalk improvements, better east-west connectivity, and options for active commuting like walking and cycling in Nampa.

Growth and Development

As one of Idaho’s fastest growing cities, planning for future development is a key issue facing Nampa:

• New subdivisions continue to expand on vacant land to accommodate population growth, mostly at the city edges.
• Revitalizing historic downtown Nampa through adaptive reuse of older buildings and infill projects is a priority.
• Industrial development is concentrated along the rail lines and highways flanking the city center.
• Retail complexes and housing fill the suburbs, especially in west Nampa near Interstate 84.
• The Nampa 2040 Comprehensive Plan guides decisions on land use, density, and zoning for future growth.
• Water resources and utilities like sewer have to expand to serve new growth. Water conservation is also being emphasized.
• Housing affordability is a concern with rising home prices. More density in neighborhoods helps provide lower cost options.
• Better parks, pathways, recreation, and cultural amenities make Nampa more livable amidst population growth.

Managing and shaping Nampa’s growth requires balancing economic progress, quality of life for current residents, historic preservation, and environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

From its early beginnings as an agricultural settlement, Nampa has steadily developed into the largest city in Canyon County and a major economic hub for southwestern Idaho. It has retained a diverse economy, historic downtown charm, and strong sense of community identity even through decades of suburban growth.

Education, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and transportation infrastructure will shape Nampa’s future progress and evolution in its second century as a city.