Fit for a President: Homes in Boise with Presidential Appeal

Since the state's creation on July 3, 1890, Idaho has had a long and storied history with Presidential visitors and influence. Even before its formation, presidents have impacted the state. The territory that is now the beloved Gem state was almost divided up and given to surrounding states. However, Governor Edward Stevenson convinced President Cleveland to veto this bill, allowing Idaho to be solidified as a state.

Fun facts about presidential visits in the state’s long history:

• Every president from Lyndon Johnson in 1964 to Joe Biden in 2021 has visited the state at least once while in office, excluding Donald Trump.
• Multiple presidents, including Benjamin Harrison, Theodore Roosevelt, and William Howard Taft, have planted trees next to the Capitol during their presidencies. These trees eventually had to be chopped down, but the wood was saved, given to a variety of wood carvers across the state, and remade into creations that are displayed in the capitol building today.
• In 2005, George Bush spoke at the Idaho Center where he spoke about the Iraq war and thanked service members in attendance. In his speech he joked with the Nampa mayor, telling him to “fill the potholes.”
• The iconic Harrison Boulevard, the gem of north Boise, was named after President Benjamin Harrison after his well-received visit in 1891. It was originally 17th Street.
• President Theodore Roosevelt visited Idaho twice, in 1903 and 1911. During his 1903 visit, he gave a presidential address in both Wallace and Boise, while in 1911 he visited the University of Idaho in Moscow and gave a speech to 8,000 people while standing on a platform made of sacks of wheat.

Celebrating President's Day with a look at some of Boise's first class homes:

2280 S Bluestem Lane

An extraordinary Georgian Colonial manor set on an acre, along the Boise River --the pinnacle location within the gated, 'Island at River Run'. Classic proportions, exquisite hand-crafted ornamentation, & pristine building materials adorn this stately Idaho residence of unsurpassed quality.

815 E Warm Springs Avenue

A notable Warm Springs estate, the Brandt House is celebrated for its long history, distinctive architectural design, and magical near ~1 acre park setting. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the home's design was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Prairie style, displayed in the dramatic overhanging eaves, Art Deco elements, & beautiful corner windows. It is rumored that past presidents have stayed here.

945 E Warm Springs Avenue

A show-stopper on historic Warm Springs Avenue, this extraordinary 1920 Georgian Colonial residence is admired for its stately appeal, impeccable condition, and placement on the National Register of Historic Places. Set far back from the street behind a gated front lawn, the home's grandeur commands attention with perfect symmetry, pleasing proportions, & massive scale. A presidential nod, the wallpaper in the formal dining room is an exact replica of the wallpaper chosen by Jackie Kennedy for the White House.

1505 N Harrison Boulevard

A Boise landmark on historic Harrison Blvd -- the Lion House. Classic Californian Mission Style home with incomparable features. The craftsmanship is remarkable, and includes: beamed ceilings, stacked crown & tall base moldings, an arched wood pattern carried through built-ins and windows, quarter-sawn oak floors, pocket doors to separate public spaces & exquisite built-ins throughout.

1305 N Harrison Boulevard

A landmark Queen Anne with a storied history, proudly displayed among the treasure trove of residential architectural heritage on The Boulevard. This exquisitely rare property envelopes five city lots on the corner of Harrison Blvd and Eastman St, making an unmistakable mark in Boise's historic fabric. This regal beauty envisions a life of opulence and without peer.