Julia Davis Rose Gardens

Julia Davis Rose Gardens

The City of Boise has many things to boast about, but few can compare with the quiet charm of the Julia Davis Park. The story behind Julia Davis Park begins in 1862 when two orphaned brothers, Tom and Frank Davis, joined with a group of 75 men in Cincinnati, Ohio, and headed west hoping to strike gold. As an early Boise pioneer, Tom Davis helped lay out the blueprint of the city and owned and developed thousands of acres of agricultural property.

Julia McCrumb came to the Boise Valley from Ontario, Canada, to visit relatives in the summer of 1869. Two years later, she and Tom Davis were married and the couple eventually had six children. Julia, known for her kindness and gracious hospitality, would welcome and assist emigrants traveling on the Oregon Trail as they stopped their wagons along the river to rest from their journey across the high desert. She died in the autumn of 1907 at the age of 60, after assisting a traveler who may have had typhoid fever.

Upon deeding the property in memory of his wife, Tom Davis required that the land would forever be used for public park purposes, and because of that gracious dedication to the future culture of Boise, it makes the list of Boyle’s Boise: 52 Things to Do and See.

Julia Davis Park Docent Tours

Designed for enthusiasts of local history and those new to Boise, Michael and I decided to do this as the Julia Davis Park Docent Tours offer visitors an introduction to Boise’s flagship park. During the one-hour walk, which starts at the Rose Garden Gazebo, knowledgeable volunteer docents identify sites and markers of historic significance, revealing why Julia Davis Park is the cultural and historic heart of Boise.

So you can plan your next trip, docent tours are offered free of charge on First Thursdays at 4:00 p.m., May through September. For additional information about the Julia Davis Park Docent program, volunteering as a docent or scheduling docent tours, contact Kathleen Barrett, (208) 338-9108 and download the Docent Tour Map.

About Me

I have been living in Idaho for my entire life, and Treasure Valley has been my home for more than 30 years. In addition to constantly exploring the city and all of its activities, I am also very involved in the Treasure Valley’s philanthropy scene and have been working in the Mortgage industry as a Loan Officer for more than 35 years now. Additionally, my husband Michael had a 20+ year career in Real Estate. So, if you are new to the area and looking to lay some roots for your family, get involved with some great causes, connect with like-minded people or just explore all that Boise has to offer – don’t hesitate to let me know.