The Bown House is one of the oldest structures still standing in Boise. It was built in 1879 by Joseph and Temperance Bown, adjacent to the Oregon Trail. The house in these days was known as the “block house” and was regarded as one of the nicest homes in the Boise area. After Boise’s pioneer school burned down (where Temperance taught), she held classes in the “block house” until a new school was constructed.
The house is constructed from sand stone blocks hauled in from the Table Rock quarry, with 20 inch walls. This makes the house warm in winters and cool in summers. The house also features a cupola-style observatory.
Today, the Bown House is a part of the Riverside Elementary campus and an important part of the learning experience for fourth graders undergoing Idaho history lessons. Every year over 2,000 4th graders from take a two hour tour of the home to experience the tough life of the late 1800s. The tour takes the children through a 19th century classroom, and through daily chores like churning butter and sewing quilts.
If you want to tour the Bown house, free tours are available to the public every first Saturday of the month.
The Bown house is located on the campus of Riverside Elementary School, 2100 E. Victory Rd. Boise.
