Entrance Fees:
Free
- Members
$2
- Adults
$1
- Youth (6-17)
$1
- Seniors
Free
- Age 5 & under
THE MISSION OF THE CANYON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The purpose of this Society shall be to help
investigate and preserve for future generations any kind
of historical records, documents, sites, buildings,
articles and artifacts, pertaining to Canyon County and
to promote interest and concern for Canyon County
history. To bring together those people interested
in this history and promote better understanding of our
state and nation, plus a better appreciation of our
American heritage.
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Remembering the
Dewey Palace Hotel
Canyon County has a rich heritage, from the Oregon Trail
to the Iron Rails and everything in between.
Gone is a wonderful hotel which graced downtown Nampa in
the early 1900's and was a visiting place for locals and
out-of-towners. Below are scenes from the Dewey Palace
Exhibit which we have left here for awhile for you to
enjoy:
The Dewey Palace Hotel
spanned the length of one block located between 11th
Avenue S. & 12th Avenue S. on Ist Street S. Just
one block from where the Nampa Depot Museum still stands
thanks to the Canyon County Historical Society which
saved the depot from destruction. Sadly, the Dewey
Palace Hotel was not so lucky. Many think the
hotel would be a great attraction to the city if it were
still standing. In its place is now a tire shop and a
bank.
A view from Ist Avenue
south looking south westward. Wells Fargo Bank
stands on this corner now. (The water tower in the
background was for servicing the guests, the restaurant
and the steam laundry.) The hotel faced the Nampa Train
Depot Station.
The front steps of the
Dewey Palace Hotel. This place must have been absolutely
spectacular!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Last
year's Annual Fall Tour on October 13th was indeed a
moving event!
The Canyon County Historical
Society typically sponsors an annual fall tour. In
past years, Caldwell or Nampa residents have opened
their houses to the public as part of walking tours.
However, this year, tour participants went to
various historical sites throughout Canyon County.
On
Saturday, October 13, 2007, participants gathered at the
Nampa Train Depot to board two busses which transport
them to a variety of historical locations
Sites visited:
the Alexander Duffes Home
Kohlerlawn
Cemetery
The
old Canyon County Poor Farm
The Swartz
German Prisoner of War Camp
Dodd-Whiffin
Homestead
1893 John Thomas
barn
Ward Massacre
Park
Original Site of
the Old Fort Boise
Sears "kit"
gothic-arch style barn
Roswell
Mercantile
and more
A narrated tour and booklet
entertained and educated guests along the way. The
Oregon Trail was highlighted as the busses traveled
along its route from the Perry gravesite, the Ward
Massacre site, and two Fort Boise sites. Lunch was
held in Roswell at the Sperry Memorial Presbyterian
Church, another historic site.
Booklets
of the tour will be available at the Nampa Train Depot
Gift Shop and at Our Memories Indian Creek Museum's gift
shop. Although people won't have the informative
tour guide's insights, much history is included in the
booklets as well as driving directions. History buffs
are encouraged to make the tour themselves!
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Preservation
Through the generosity of former
and current residents of Canyon County, we are
able to preserve artifacts from our history. Many
donations come in almost daily, and each one has a story
to tell.
Interpretation
Through various exhibits, which are
changed throughout the year, we are able to make the
past alive for our visitors.
Tour guides are available daily to
take you on a journey in time.
Education
Through special group and general
tours, we are able to educate our
visitors about the way we lived, played,
worked, and functioned as a society.
The Depot Train museum in Nampa,
recently hosted the GSE (Group and Study
Exchange) five member group from England
which is presently traveling throughout
the United States on its 2007 tour.
Wendy Miller, Director and Curator of
the Canyon County Historical Society is
shown (on the left) with the group
in front of the Depot Museum after
taking them on a private tour through
the museum. Members of the group
are particularly interested in American
museums, especially those regarding rail
transportation. The Sunshine Rotarian
Group hosted their visit to Nampa,
Idaho.
RESEARCH
The
Museum houses extensive archives of mainly
Canyon County photos, newspaper clipping, books,
etc., for research purposes.
Researchers are asked to schedule an
appointment so that adequate staff is available
to assist them in their search.
Mail and email inquiries are also welcome.
Our research fees are as follows:
-
1st
Hour:
Free, $20 per hour thereafter, plus
postage.
-
Copies:
Regular, $0.25 each
-
Large
Documents: $1.00 each
-
Scanned
Images for personal use only: $1.00 each
-
Enlargements (to 8 X 10): $2.00 each
Photos are available for commercial, decorative,
and for-profit use (i.e. publications).
Please inquire about the fees.
Canyon County
Idaho State Historical
Society
Owyhee County Historical
Society
The Library of Congress
Union Pacific Railroad -History and Photos
American Heritage
Caldwell Chamber of Commerce
Nampa Chamber of Commerce
Indian
Creek Restoration
City of Caldwell
City of
Greenleaf
City of Melba
City of Middleton
City of Nampa
City of
Notus
City of Parma
City of
Wilder
Givens Hot Springs
The
Nampa Train Depot Museum
Our Memories Indian Creek Museum
