1059 W Boise Avenue
The Hopffgarten property is located just
west of Broadway Avenue, at its intersection with Boise
Avenue. The property was donated to the City by Anna M. and
J.H. Hopffgarten in 1916. The Hopffgartens stipulated that
the property was to be used "…for the beautification of the said
city, and for the purpose of encouraging the establishment of parks
therein, as well as to improve the neighborhood in which the
grantors reside, and make the same more desirable as a residential
district."
During early settlement of Boise City, the South Boise area was
isolated from Boise City by the unpredictable behavior of the Boise
River. This isolation was alleviated when the Broadway Avenue
bridge opened in 1892. A subsequent trolley line from downtown to
the Broadway/Boise Avenue intersection brought greater mobility and
interaction to residents on both sides of the river. The Village
Improvement Society (later the South Side Improvement Club) was
formed to create and improve the civic amenities of the area,
including sidewalks, trash and weed removal, and public park
spaces. As part of these efforts, South Boise was annexed into
Boise City in 1913. Business and residential development
accelerated with annexation, and a commercial district developed in
the area of the Broadway/Boise Avenue intersection. It was during
this time of civic energy that the Hopffgarten's donated a parcel
of land adjacent to their home for use as a City
park.1
The Hopffgarten deed further directs that the property "…shall
forever be used for park purposes only…" The Department
maintains this property as a mini-park with trees, a small plaza,
and benches.