Caldwell, Idaho

Affixed in the Treasure Valley in southwestern Idaho, Caldwell has a small-town feel with quick access via interstate 84 to the metropolis of Boise. The top-ranked moderate arts school in the United States, College of Idaho, functions in the city's heart. Rich with agricultural heritage, Caldwell is one of the world's leading frozen produce manufacturers. A bustling urban center with spectacular shopping, restaurants, and activities, Caldwell is an excellent place for families and students to reside.

Geography And Climate Of Caldwell

The Boise River flows north of Caldwell with an elevation of 724 meters. Less than thirty kilometers from the Oregon state border, Caldwell covers an area of 58.72 sq. km. Farmlands and green spaces surround the city in the great Snake River Plains that span east to west in the southern part of Idaho. More than 750 kilometers north, the winding Kootenay River crosses the Canadian border. Visitors can have an out-of-this-world experience three hours east at the unique Craters of the Moon National Reserve & Monument. The Idaho state boundary meets Nevada, 250 kilometers south of Caldwell.

Summer temperatures from June until August is the best time to visit the beautiful town of Caldwell. Caldwell experiences hot and arid summers due to its closeness to deserts from the southwest and protection of the Rocky Mountains range to the northeast. The winter season can be cold, snowy, and cloudy. December is the snowiest month, with an average accumulation of 80 millimeters of snow. Recorded temperatures range from -13°C to 38°C, whereas locals and tourists can enjoy all four seasons yearly. Over 200 sunny days throughout the year are enjoyed by outdoor activities and festivals in the area each year.

History Of Caldwell

Early nomadic settlers set off across Oregon, tracing the same steps as Indigenous tribes who wandered the land before them. Those fearless pioneers set out on horses towing wagons creating the Oregon Trail, which passed through Caldwell in the mid-1800s. The arrival of the Oregon Short Line Railroad that linked Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon together had issues with construction near Boise. Robert Strahorn appeared on the building site and deemed the grade was too vertical for trains. The rail line changed course and passed through present-day Caldwell in 1883. The name derives from a past state Senator of Kansas, Alexander Caldwell, a business partner with Robert Strahorn. Four months after the village's founding, the population grew to 600 inhabitants, 150 homes, and 40 companies. Idaho College was formed in the 1890s, followed by the formation of Canyon County, and Caldwell received the title of the county's seat. By 1906 the Union Pacific Railroad gained ownership over the Oregon Short Line Railroad, bringing larger trains and passenger carts to surrounding townships. Farming, education, and merchants attracted many people to Caldwell.

Population And Economy Of Caldwell

The seat of Canyon County continued to lure in migrants with its charm; over the past ten years, the population grew by 38.5%, which now houses 64,490 residents. The median age is younger than the national average, with men at 28 years and women at 30 years. Almost half of the citizens have a post-secondary degree and are married. Prices of homes average $188,300, and the median household income is $58,143. Major industries rank from government administration, education, and health care.

Attractions In Caldwell

Whittenberger Park

Along the Boise River, the commons cover an area of 6.9 hectares connected to the Oregon Trail Centennial Greenway. The park has lush trees and trails for walkers, runners, and cyclists along the river and Rotary Pond. The perfect spot in the city to have a quick trip into nature.

Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History

The Museum operates in Boone Hall on the campus of Idaho College, and it serves as the only natural history museum in the southwest of the state. Its location allows students to examine artifacts and specimens held in the institution. And the gallery displays the local ecological history of the surrounding area.

Whittenberger Planetarium

The Planetarium is also located on Idaho College property and has served the public for over 50 years. The facility offers programs for different types of schools and public events. Neighboring states can lease a portable planetarium for viewing experiences. The equipment involved is a projector that shines on a 24-foot dome so that viewers can observe southern and northern constellations, galaxies, and planets.