Boise Bench Real Estate
Initially, Boise was a dry high desert. In the 1800’s the Ridenbaugh Canal brought much-needed water to the area now known as the Boise Bench. Sitting above the valley floor, the Bench proved to be useful for agriculture. In fact, where Orchard Street now sits were large groves of apple, cherry, and peach trees. Large portions of the Bench were fields of hay and asparagus as well. Many of these crops were shipped across the country and as far as Europe.
In 1925, the iconic Boise Depot was built on the edge of the Boise Bench. The Depot and the trains it brought through Idaho became a major source of tourism and economic trade for the city. Today, the Depot is no longer used as a stop on the railway line but freight trains still make their way through. Instead, the Boise Depot and its beautiful garden are a local destination, event venue, and a photography hot spot. Many of the iconic shot of Boise are taken from the Depot hill.
The Bench has grown into a large residential area filled with houses, parks, schools, and a beautiful golf course. Because the subdivisions were built and added to over a long period of time, there is no set architectural style or subdivision-based themes, leaving plenty of choices for homebuyers. Vista Village, reportedly the nation’s first strip mall, was built in 1949 and still stands today. The main roads like Vista, Orchard, Overland, Franklin, and Curtis offer easy access to the rest of the city. Just below the Bench is Ann Morrison Park, Kathryn Albertson Park, Boise State University, and downtown us just minutes away. The bench offers a wide variety of cuisines including the local Idaho Pizza Company, to the authentic Luciano’s Italian Restaurant, and even Boise’s best Cuban food, CasaBlanca Cuban Grill.
The Bench has below average rates of both violent and property crime. For this reason, many people experience the comfort of walking at night. This cosmopolitan destination is a feast for the senses. It is home to a vibrant diversity of cultures creating a vibrant community. Due to its age, the Boise Bench offers somewhat larger than usual homesites. Many of them are bigger than the more desirable houses in the North End. All of these factors contribute to an area of the city where suburban living and urban accessibility meet.