Located about five miles northwest of Boise, Idaho is a region called the Dry Creek Valley that’s rich with rolling hills, farmland, wildlife, and history. Its scenic beauty makes it a great place to explore and it even boasts an extensive network of hiking trails for doing so. However, it’s the history behind the Dry Creek Valley that makes it so unique. From the Native Americans who inhabited the land up to 15,000 years ago to the German and Basque immigrants that built farmsteads on it during the 1800s, there’s a lot of history to be uncovered here. A great place to start is this historic homestead. Not only is it incredibly well preserved, but it’s even open for tours so you can visit and experience this piece of living history for yourself.
A glimpse of Idaho's agricultural past waits for you in Dry Creek Valley. Nestled amid the foothills just outside of Boise, it's well-worth a day trip—especially since you can fully tour a historic farmstead.
There's a lot of history to be found in Dry Creek Valley, but it all culminates at the Schick-Ostolasa Farmstead. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this farmstead is a fantastic piece of Idaho history come to life.
The farmstead is comprised of several buildings, including the Schick/Ostolasa farmhouse, Red House, root cellar, wood shed, saddle barn, horse barn, chicken house, and utility shed. Despite its age, it's been wonderfully preserved and will have you believing you've been transported back in time.
This patch of land was settled by a farmer named Phillip L. Schick in the early 1860s. As an outstanding example of early homesteading in Idaho, preserving the farmstead for years to come is one of the highest priorities for the Dry Creek Historical Society.
Covering two acres along Dry Creek, the historic farmstead is open to the public from May through September on Saturdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visiting the old farm and its adjoining structures makes for a great family field trip. Plus, it's just a lot of fun to see these old buildings up close!
The Dry Creek Historical Society often puts on family events at the farmstead. The Front Porch Concerts are definitely a local favorite and typically feature 3-4 musical acts throughout the spring and fall. Additionally, Old Time Farm Day typically takes place in September and is a massive celebration of Idaho's farming past.
Learning about the early homesteaders of Idaho at the Schick-Ostolasa Farmstead is an awesome activity to consider when you're looking for something to do with the family. Pack a picnic, bring your sunscreen, and take a walk through history! You can learn more about visiting this historic farmstead here.
