GARDEN CITY

GARDEN CITY HISTORY

Surrounded on nearly every side, Garden City is almost entirely encompassed by Boise City, yet it remains its own independent municipality. Originally part of the Oregon Trail, Garden City was a crossway for many people traveling west. One such group was a handful of Chinese immigrants coming to the west to search for gold. Upon coming to Garden City, however, they chose to take up farming instead.

The Chinese immigrants farmed various produce including strawberries and onions, and eventually switched to hogs. The gardens that the Chinese created give Garden City the name it is known by today. In fact, the only main street through Garden City is named Chinden Boulevard. Chinden came about by combining the word China (or “Chin”) with the word garden (or “den”).

On May 22, 1949, Garden City was officially named a separate municipality from Boise City. The leading cause for this was the new passing of legislation in Boise City that banned gambling. In Garden City, now a separate municipality, some types of gambling are still legal, particularly horse racing. Those who own Garden City, Idaho real estate savor this rich history and unique access to some of the state’s best outdoor and indoor activities.