Nampa, Idaho From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search For other things named "Nampa", see Nampa. Nampa, Idaho Nickname(s): N/A Motto: What a Place to Live Location in Canyon County and the state of Idaho Coordinates: 43°34′29″N 116°33′49″W / 43.57472°N 116.56361°W / 43.57472; -116.56361 Country United States State Idaho County Canyon Founded 1886 Incorporated 1891 Government - Mayor Tom Dale Area - City 19.9 sq mi (51.5 km2) - Land 19.9 sq mi (51.4 km2) - Water .04 sq mi (0.0 km2) Elevation 2,516 ft (767 m) Population (2007) - City 79,249 - Density 3,982.4/sq mi (2,469.1/km2) - Metro 624,000 Time zone Mountain (UTC-7) - Summer (DST) Mountain (UTC-6) ZIP codes 83651-83686-83687 Area code(s) 208 FIPS code 16-56260 GNIS feature ID 0396943 Website www.ci.nampa.id.us Nampa (pronounced /ˈnæmpə/) is both the largest city and the fastest growing city in Canyon County, Idaho, United States, and the second largest in the state. Only the capital city, Boise, is larger. The population was 51,867 at the 2000 census. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population to be 79,249 as of July 1, 2007.[1] Nampa is located about 20 miles west of Boise along Interstate 84. The city is considered part of the Boise metropolitan area. Contents [hide] 1 History 2 City Government 3 Education 4 Notable People from Nampa 5 Transportation 6 Recreation 7 Community Events 8 Geography 9 Demographics 10 See also 11 External links 12 Notes [edit] History Nampa began its life as a small railroad town in the early 1880s. More railroad lines sprung up running through Nampa, making it a very important railroad town. Nampa was founded in 1886 by Europeans, and a year later had grown from 15 homes to 50. As new amenities were added to the town, Nampa continued to grow. It was incorporated in 1890. Unlike most towns in that historic era with streets running true north and south, Nampa's historic roads run perpendicular to the railroad tracks that travel northwest to southeast through the town. Thus, the northside is really the northeast side of the tracks, and the southside is really the southwest side of the railroad tracks. Founder Alexander Duffes laid out Nampa's streets this way to prevent an accident like one that occurred earlier in a town he had platted near Toronto, Canada. In that town, a woman and her two children were killed by a train when they started across the railroad tracks in a buggy and the wheel got stuck. Nampa has the fanciest of many Oregon Short Line Railroad depots built in the area. The first elementary school was built in the 1890s. Lakeview school was located on a hill on 6th Street and 12th Avenue North, with a view of Lake Ethel. Just after the school's centennial celebration, it was condemned as a school and sold to the First Mennonite Church. In 2008 the building was refurbished, and is now being used by the Idaho Arts Charter School. Lake Ethel was later drained because it caused some flooding in neighboring homes. The area was converted to Lakeview Park. It is Nampa's largest park and many community celebrations are held there. Colonel William H. Dewey, a man who made a fortune mining in Silver City, seeing the advantage of 4 railroad lines, built the elegant Dewey Palace Hotel in 1902 for a quarter of a million dollars. Colonel Dewey died in his hotel in 1903, leaving his son a million dollars. The hotel survived the great fire of 1909, which burned several blocks of downtown Nampa, but was razed in 1963 because no one wanted to invest in renovating the grand structure. Relics from the hotel, such as the chandelier and the hotel safe can be found at the Canyon County Historical Museum, which is housed in the old train depot on Front Street and Nampa City Hall. After demolition the location on first street between 11th and 12th Ave. South was sold to private enterprise including a bank and tire store replacing this historic building with the current modern structures. A public-use postage stamp sized park was later placed across the street from the old palace property as a collaboration between the Downtown Alliance of Nampa (the local business council) and an Eagle Scout Project for the Boy Scouts of America. The park includes a large mural/wall sculpture of running horses that was commissioned for the project. A Carnegie library was built downtown in 1908. It burned down after the library moved in 1966. The Nampa Public Library is now located on the corner of 1st Street and 11th Avenue South in the old bank building. Deer Flat Reservoir, an offstream irrigation storage reservoir, was constructed by the United States Reclamation Service between 1906 and 1911. Known locally as Lake Lowell, it is surrounded by the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1909 by President Theodore Roosevelt. The refuge is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Idaho State School and Hospital was built in Nampa in 1910, for the state's developmentally challenged population. It opened in 1918. The institution was largely self sufficient. It had a large farm which was worked by the residents. The higher functioning residents also cared for residents who couldn't do anything for themselves. Much has changed in the care of persons with developmental disabilities from the time of the state school's opening. The old farm has been sold as a golf course, and residents no longer give primary care to other residents. The institution is much more modern and remains in operation, though a few of the old buildings are now used to house juvenile offenders. Nampa held an annual harvest festival and farmers' market from about 1908. It was a time of celebration and community fun. From this festival emerged the Snake River Stampede Rodeo in 1937, which continues to this day. It is one of the top twelve rodeos in the pro rodeo circuits. A local congregation of the Church of the Nazarene built a small elementary school in 1913, later growing to Northwest Nazarene College in 1915 and finally to Northwest Nazarene University. The university currently educates about 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. In 1965, the Karcher

Mall was built, becoming the first indoor shopping mall in the Treasure Valley. Many area residents have memories of having an Orange Julius, sitting on Santa's lap (Arthur Yensen), or playing games at the Red Baron arcade in the mall. Karcher Mall was "the place to gather" for several decades until the Boise Towne Square was built in Boise in 1988, drawing the business and shoppers away. Karcher Mall, having struggled for many years, is now making a comeback. With the new I-84 interchange nearby, the area is booming with new business. Nampa is growing fast, with new homes, new shopping centers and new roads. Treasure Valley Marketplace north of the Karcher Interchange has a number of retailers including Costco, Target, Best Buy, Cost Plus World Market, Olive Garden, Michael's, DressBarn, Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Kohl's. Across from Treasure Valley Marketplace is located a second shopping center containing a Sportsman's Warehouse and a McDonald's. The Nampa Gateway Center is a shopping center under development near the Idaho Center off the Garrity Boulevard Exit of Interstate 84. J.C. Penney is located in the Nampa Gateway Center. Other large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Sam's Club are in the same area. The Idaho Press-Tribune is the local newspaper for the Canyon County area. [edit] City Government Tom Dale was elected mayor of Nampa in November 2001 and has held office since January 2002.[2] The Nampa City Council has four members[3]--Pam White (first appointed in June 2007)[4], Stephen Kren (first elected in 1995)[5], Martin Thorne (first elected in 1997)[6], and Curtis Homer (first elected in 2008)[7]. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, the budget for the City of Nampa was $115.5 million.[8] [edit] Education The Nampa School District is Nampa's primary provider of education. The district consists of 3 high schools, Columbia High School, Nampa High School, and Skyview High School; 4 middle schools, Lone Star Middle School, East Valley Middle School, South Middle School, and West Middle School; and 15 elementary schools. Nampa also is home to the Idaho Arts Charter School and the private Nampa Christian school. Vallivue School District also incorporates part of Nampa within its boundaries. Vallivue currently operates Sage Valley Middle School, Desert Springs Elementary, Birch Elementary, and East Canyon Elementary in the Nampa area. [edit] Notable People from Nampa Henry Hajimu Fujii, farmer, Japanese-American spokesman, lapidary Davey Hamilton, American racecar driver, competed in the Indianapolis 500 Rob Morris (American football), former NFL Linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts [edit] Transportation The interstate that runs through Nampa is Interstate 84 (west) which has four exits into Nampa. The Nampa Municipal Airport is located there for general aviation. Among the principal roads are Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard (which connects Nampa with Caldwell), 12th Avenue Road, 16th Avenue, and Garrity Boulevard. [edit] Recreation Nampa has twenty-four parks, the largest of which is Lakeview Park.[9] The Nampa Recreation Center, a 140,000 square foot facility containing a six-pool aquatics center, three gymnasiums, racquetball courts, a walking/running track, a weight room and exercise equipment, a climbing wall, and a number of other activity areas, opened in 1994.[10] Centennial Golf Course[11] (18 holes) and Ridgecrest Golf Club[12] (27 holes) are owned and operated by the City of Nampa. See also: Reel Theatres [edit] Community Events February Boise Kick Off Classic- Dance and Clogging competition, held at NNU's Brandt Center March Mercy Community Sale- A large yard sale to benefit youth. April Bull Riding Blow Out No Greater Love Easter pageant- presented by the Church of the Nazarene Horse Expo May Cinco de Mayo Parade America Spring Fling Community Festival Downtown Nampa Nights- outdoor concerts begin and run through September June Summer Reading at the Nampa Public Library through July. God & Country Rally- timed around the 4th of July at the Idaho Center. An evening of motivational speakers, with a grand fireworks finalé. July Snake River Dayz in conjunction with the Snake River Stampede Rodeo Griddles and Fiddles Nampa Arts the Park August Fandemonium, Idaho's Entertainment Expo Friends of Nampa Public Library Booksale September Fiesta Idaho November Canyon County Festival of Trees December Living Christmas Tree [edit] Geography Nampa is located at 43°34′29″N 116°33′49″W / 43.57472°N 116.56361°W / 43.57472; -116.56361 (43.574807, -116.563559).[13] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.9 square miles. 19.9 sq mi of it is land and 0.04 sq mi of it (0.10%) is water. ZIP codes: 83651, 83686, 83687. [edit] Demographics In 1990 Nampa had a population of 28,365.[14] As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 51,867 people, 18,090 households, and 13,024 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,612.3 people per square mile (1,008.9/km²). There were 19,379 housing units at an average density of 976.0/sq mi (376.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.45% White, 0.40% African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 11.25% from other races, and 2.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.90% of the population. There were 18,090 households out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.25. In the city the population was spread out with 31.0% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 15.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $34,758, and the median income for a family was $39,434. Males had a median income of $28,580 versus $22,022 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,491. About 8.7% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population to be 79,249 as of July 1, 2007.[16] [edit] See also Amalgamated Sugar Company [edit] External links Official City of Nampa website Nampa Chamber of Commerce nampaidaho.net Nampa Public Library city-data.com The Idaho Statesman- Treasure Valley's newspaper Idaho Press Tribune- Nampa's local newspaper Nampa Police Nampa Fire Department Old Nampa Neighborhood Association - Historic Residential District Nampa School District Mercy Medical Center Nampa, Idaho is at coordinates 43°34′29″N 116°33′49″W / 43.574807°N 116.563559°W / 43.574807; -116.563559 (Nampa, Idaho)Coordinates: 43°34′29″N 116°33′49″W / 43.574807°N 116.563559°W / 43.574807; -116.563559 (Nampa, Idaho) Nampa Recreation Center Fire in 1909 Idaho Equine Hospital [edit] Notes ^ U.S. Census Bureau annual estimates. ^ Mayor Tom Dale. ^ Nampa City Council members. ^ Pam White. ^ Stephen Kren. ^ Martin Thorne. ^ Curtis Homer. ^ Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the City of Nampa. ^ Nampa Parks and Recreation - Orah Brandt park is slated for future development but is not currently open. ^ Nampa Recreation Center history. ^ Centennial Golf Course. ^ Ridgecrest Golf Club. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. ^ The Cambridge Gazeteer of the United States and Canada. (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1995) p. 430 ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. ^ U.S. Census Bureau annual estimates. [show]v • d • eMunicipalities and communities of Canyon County, Idaho County seat: Caldwell Cities Caldwell | Greenleaf | Melba | Middleton | Nampa | Notus | Parma | Wilder Unincorporated community Bowmont [show]v • d • e State of Idaho Boise (capital) Topics Culture | Geography | Government | Governors | History | Images | People | Visitor Attractions Regions Boise metropolitan area | Cache Valley | Central Idaho | Columbia River Plateau | Eastern Idaho | Great Basin | Idaho Panhandle | Inland Empire | Magic Valley | North Central Idaho | North Idaho | Palouse | Southern Idaho | Southwestern Idaho | Treasure Valley | Wasatch Range | Wood River Valley | Yellowstone Larger cities Boise | Coeur d'Alene | Idaho Falls | Lewiston | Meridian | Nampa | Pocatello | Twin Falls Smaller cities Ammon | Blackfoot | Burley | Caldwell | Chubbuck | Eagle | Garden City | Kuna | Moscow | Mountain Home | Post Falls | Rexburg | Stanley Counties Ada | Adams | Bannock | Bear Lake | Benewah | Bingham | Blaine | Boise | Bonner | Bonneville | Boundary | Butte | Camas | Canyon | Caribou | Cassia | Clark | Clearwater | Custer | Elmore | Franklin | Fremont | Gem | Gooding | Idaho | Jefferson | Jerome | Kootenai | Latah | Lemhi | Lewis | Lincoln | Madison | Minidoka | Nez Perce | Oneida | Owyhee | Payette | Power | Shoshone | Teton | Twin Falls | Valley | Washington Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nampa,_Idaho" Categories: Nampa, Idaho | Cities in Idaho | Canyon County, Idaho | Settlements established in 1886 | Boise metropolitan area