Historical Fun Facts

DID YOU KNOW? From 1902 to 1967, the Western Idaho Fair (formerly known as the Idaho Intermountain Fair) was located right here in Morris Hill? In 1967, the fair outgrew its location at Orchard and Irving and was moved to it’s present-day location in Garden City.

“Western Idaho Fair: A Centennial History, 1897-1997” by Arthur Hart


Tandy Center

Idaho Statesman Digital Collection

DID YOU KNOW? The Tandy Center is the shopping center on Orchard Street where Tandy Leather Company is still operating. The structure cost $200,000 to build and originally had five stores, Color Tile Supermarts, Dial Finance, Tandy Leather/American Handicrafts, and Allied Radio Shack. The shopping center held it’s grand opening on October 24, 1970. Among the participants were (left to right) W. Charles Anderson, president elect of the Boise Chamber of Commerce, Sherm Perry, Boise City Council President and Dean Lawrence, Seattle District Manager for Tandy Corporation.


Orchard Street Celebration 2012

In the spring of 2012, the Morris Hill Neighborhood Association sponsored an event called the Orchard Street Celebration. The City of Boise and several Orchard Street businesses helped to fund the all day celebration – complete with live musical entertainment, an art exhibit, and activities for the whole family.


Historical Advertisements

Below are some of the historical advertisements from businesses located on Orchard Street.


Below are some of the historical advertisements from businesses located on Orchard Street.

Idaho State Historical Society – McDonald’s Ad Boise Journal August 10, 1961 p.5

Idaho State Historical Society – McDonald’s Ad Boise Journal July 27, 1961 p.6
Idaho State Historical Society – Ad Union Seed Company Boise Journal May 11, 1951 p.5
Idaho State Historical Society – Ad Potter Drug Boise Journal February 1, 1951

The views and opinions expressed in the above advertisements are for historical purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Morris Hill Neighborhood Association.