As with many settlements that cropped up along the famous Oregon Short Line Railway, Nampa had its origins as a railway town. Some obscurity exists when it comes to its name, but historians believe that officials derived the name from the Shoshone Native American word "namb” meaning "footprint" or "moccasin." Alexander and Hannah Duffs, and James McGee explored the potential for a townsite in 1885 on a 160-acre piece of land east of Caldwell. They divided the land into lots the following year, and the town was born. Many town settlers dubbed the town New Jerusalem since Duff, an extremely religious man, refused to build a city containing saloons. However, it does not appear that he was entirely successful, as Nampa's first newspaper reports a town with three taverns. The Oregon Short Line originally bypassed the town of Boise, so people did not have ease of travel to Nampa. Fortunately, the Idaho Central Railway was established in 1887, connecting Boise to a mainline in Nampa, where business owners created a passenger depot. In the early 1890s, there was further growth and development in Nampa due to an irrigation system supplying water to the town. Because of this newly established system, ranchers cultivated hundreds of thousands of acres of land for farm use. By 1891, townsfolk established a municipal government, leading to the incorporation of the Town of Nampa. By the early 1900s, Nampa was increasingly popular, experiencing an inflow of feet from surrounding cities and towns. This inflow was primarily the effect of constructing the four-way railway junction connecting Boise, Nampa, Murphy, and Lakeport. Colonel W.H. Dewey was responsible for these developments and the building of the Dewey Palace Hotel in 1902. A devastating fire swept across the landscape of Nampa in 1909, destroying an entire downtown block. Fortunately, over time, the city was able to rebuild that which was damaged. Over the next century, Nampa grew in leaps and bounds, from a small town to a city with thriving schools. The Idaho State School and Northwest Nazarene University are still integral elements of present-day Nampa. From the success of railway developments to today's agricultural industries, Nampa's economic climate has always been stable, serving the people with possibilities for the future.

Take a quick walk with us through a couple of wonderful places to see and experience in Nampa:

Nampa Festival of the Arts: This recurring weekend event, with its origins tracing back to 1986, proposes a fabulous array of over 200 artisan displays and stalls. There is plenty available, from paintings and sculptures to wonderfully whimsical designs. Or you can simply come for the live entertainment and food. Either way, you are bound to have a fun time.

Crescent Brewery: At the end of a long day of exploring the city, you may want to unwind for a while and hang out in Nampa's best local brewery. With the occasional live band to serenade you, enjoy a home-brewed beer on the indoor or outdoor seating arrangements with a light snack to accompany your beverage.