What Nampa is known for

The Nampa Destination occupies land in nearly the entire southwestern corner of Idaho. Origins for the namesake of the destination, Nampa, derive from when the city was renamed after a Shoshone Indian Chief, Nampuh. According to local legend, Nampuh means big foot. Prior to the name change to Nampa, the city had been known as New Jerusalem.[1] Boise, the largest city in Idaho by population, can be found in the northern region of the destination. Approximately 230,510 residents inhabit the city of Boise, while about 137,252 residents live in Meridian, the second-largest city, and Nampa is the third-largest with 108,469 residents. Star, Idaho, additionally located in the northern region of the Nampa Destination, has been the fastest-growing city in the state for the past ten years, with a growth rate of 112.78% since the year 2010.[2]

Boise is one particular city in the Nampa Destination that draws in a number of tourists annually. One attraction in the city is Idaho’s State Capitol, where visitors can participate in guided tours and view the displays and exhibits on the grounds. Much of the building was constructed with locally sourced sandstone and marble imported from Alaska, Vermont, Georgia, and Italy. The dome at the top of the structure has a height of nearly 208 feet and contains a five-foot-high statue of a golden eagle at the very top.[4][3] The state’s social, political, and economic history is evident within the state capitol, considering that the building currently functions as the seat of Idaho’s state government. Visitors are given the opportunity to explore the grounds at their leisure; however, some areas may be restricted when government functions are in session. The Capitol Gift shop and the Visitor’s Information Desk on the Garden Level both offer self-guided tour booklets, or tourists can visit the state capitol’s official website to download the booklet.[4]

Lake Lowell can appeal to tourists that are interested in participating in outdoor recreation as the lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing, which are generally the most common activities at the lake. Fish species and potential catches for fishermen include rainbow trout, crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, largemouth bass, bullhead, channel catfish, and smallmouth bass. Hunting is additionally available as upland birds, coots, ducks, and mourning doves are game on the East Side and South Side Recreation Areas. The reservoir is located in the Deer Flat National Refuge and expands to approximately 14.5 square miles with 28 miles of shoreline. Nampa can be found nearly five miles southwest of the lake.[6]

Geography

The majority of the Nampa Destination is desert lands in the southern half, while cities and urban areas cover the northern lands. Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, the Snake River, and Lake Lowell are just a few of the natural characteristics of the destination. Located 35 miles south of Boise, the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area has one of the densest populations of nesting raptors and is situated along 81 miles of the Snake River, as the name implies. Several species of birds can be found in the area especially in the higher canyon walls, as over 700 pairs of raptors reside in such places. Burrowing creatures tend to be the typical prey for prairie falcons in the area, in fact, small burrowing mammals generally support a high number of raptor species.[5]

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is made up of two sectors: Lake Lowell and the Snake River Islands. Nearly 10,588 acres of land encompass the Lake Lowell sector, plus Lake Lowell itself, which is almost 9,000 acres, and about 800 acres are contained within the Snake River Islands sector across 101 islands. Starting from the Canyon-Ada County Line in Idaho to Farewell Bend in Oregon, the islands of the Snake River Island sector are distributed along 113 miles of the river. The Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is a “resting and wintering area for birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway.” An abundance of mallards and Canadian geese take refuge in the area.[7] Additionally, the area serves as an attraction for tourists with ten miles of hiking trails, fishing access points, a viewing platform, and a visitor’s center. Due to the abundance of wildlife in the area, a fair amount of tourists come for this specific reason to view the bird nests, animal tracks, and wildlife.[8]

A typical summer in Nampa, Idaho is hot, dry, and mostly clear, in contrast to a typical winter which is cold, snowy, and partly cloudy. Temperatures vary from 23 degrees Fahrenheit to 92 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of a year, and the most ideal time to visit the area would presumably be from late June to late August, as temperatures are generally warmer. From mid-June to mid-September is considered the hot season, with an average high of around 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally speaking, the hottest month of the year for Nampa is July with the average high reaching nearly 91 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of 59 degrees. December is the coldest month of the year, as temperatures drop to 24 degrees Fahrenheit on average, with a high of 37 degrees. The cold season lasts from mid-November to mid-February.[9]

History

In historical times, Nampa, the namesake of the Nampa Destination, has had its economy driven by agriculture, as well as the economy of Caldwell, located five miles west of Nampa. Both cities are among the top producers of sugar beets, alfalfa, mint, onion, sweet corn seed, cattle, and calves. In addition to the growing agricultural base, the city has a notable manufacturing industry, namely, computer equipment and computer chip manufacturers, in addition to a book publisher and producers of health food supplements.[1]

A fair amount of Nampa’s historical background surrounds the events of when railroads had been built in the area. The Oregon Short Line Railway traveled from Granger, Wyoming to Huntington, Oregon, bypassing Boise. Though Boise was passed by the railways, a direct line known as the Idaho Central Railway was built, connecting Boise with the main route of the Oregon Short Line Railway. At the time, every ten to fifteen miles, there were towns that were beginning to be constructed along the tracks, one of which was Nampa.[10]

Some of the first inhabitants of Boise, Idaho were Shoshone Indians and Bannock tribes, many of which would rendezvous in the valley and trade with other tribes. The Shoshone of Boise were among earlier mounted Shoshone bands and belonged to the Yahandeka grouping. Hunting was done mainly along the lower Boise River and Payette River. In 1818, the Snake country fur trade had been developed by Donald Mackenzie, and the leader of the Shoshone Indians, Peiem, became “the most influential leader of the large composite Shoshoni band that white trappers regularly encountered in the Snake Country.” In 1811, an overland expedition that consisted of about 60 men in total was organized by Wilson Hunt and they passed through the Boise Valley. This event was the first time a White American entered the region.[11]