(from the 2012 Boise 360 Blog archive)
Warm Springs Avenue…..you have to say it with clenched teeth. Sort of like if you had enough money to dine at Berryhill every meal. Which if you did, you would say that with the same inflection. Anyways, as many know, Warm Springs is one of two major historic drives in Boise featuring what passes in this town for “old school” mansions. Sorry Table Rock, you’re “new school.” No tech money along Warm Springs; only banking, ranching, and mining money from the turn of the century when Boise was the “Athens of the Sagebrush”. Think Scott Joplin on the player piano, Victorian dining rooms with frills and lace, and various historical knickknacks from the Civil War.
Now, if you’re a fan of Warm Springs Avenue like me, then you know others when you see them. Rubber-neckers, can’t drive slow enough, always seeing something new on a house you hadn’t really paid attention to before. So this should come as big news! There are currently FOUR houses for sale on Warm Springs! Imagine the possibilities, the opportunities to have a slice of Boise history. You could have one today! My history teacher’s imagination is going wild. We could start with the “oldest” house, the Georgian replica of the president’s mansion at William and Mary College. Not only does it have a really cool fireplace but also a portrait of George Washington. Truly, who has one of those hanging in their house? Ok, the house was actually built in 1987 but still, its brick façade makes it an elegant home….and you get your own croquet lawn next to it.
Next, you could own the large yellow Federal style home that is best known for its pumpkin lined walkway at Halloween. This is one of those homes that I love driving by at night and catching a glimpse through the window of what “those” kind of folks do in the evening. The house was built in 1926 and you can just imagine a Prohibition Era house warming party with a “lookout” stationed at the front door.
Perhaps a Craftsman bungalow is more your style? This World War I era home is what I’d buy if I had the money. Unfortunately for the owner, it’s been for sale for a long time now which keeps me thinking that if banks were only throwing away money like they used to, I’d give it a shot. What a cool home and a huge lot to boot.
Finally, if you’re into mod (and who isn’t these days?) you could own Edith Klein’s home designed by Mr. Boise Mod Art Troutner. Thanks to Boise Arts and History on Facebook for giving us a picture today of Ms. Klein standing by her pool. This unassuming home front across from Adams Elementary is really the coolest place one could never live in. A pool in the middle of the house. Perfectly JFK era furniture and a tiny kitchen. It’s so hip its New York, but here in Boise.
So there you have it, pick your house. There’s one from every era and design. Except Victorian. And you could throw a rock north of State Street and hit one of those. See you on Waaaaaarm Springs!
