Burgdorf, Idaho

Burgdorf, Idaho
Rustic cabin at Burgdorf in 2008
Burgdorf, Idaho is located in Idaho
Burgdorf, Idaho
Burgdorf, Idaho is located in the United States
Burgdorf, Idaho
Nearest cityWarren, Idaho
McCall, Idaho
Coordinates45°16′37″N 115°54′50″W / 45.277°N 115.914°W / 45.277; -115.914
Built1901
NRHP reference No.72000441[1]
Added to NRHPApril 14, 1972

Burgdorf is an unincorporated community in the western United States, located in Idaho County, Idaho, approximately thirty miles (50 km) north-northeast of McCall, at an elevation of 6,115 feet (1,864 m) above sea level.[2]

History

Originally a sacred site for Native Americans,[3] its hot springs were discovered by unknown Chinese miners,[4] and settled by young German immigrant Fred C. Burgdorf in the late 1860s. Burgdorf had mined in nearby Warren to the east and turned the area at the hot springs into a resort by 1870.[5][6][7]

Following a new mining rush in 1898 at Thunder Gulch, the resort was refurbished and expanded in 1902 by Burgdorf and his new young wife, a singer from Denver named Janette Foronsard. Originally known as "Resort," it became "Burgdorf" at this time, but the former name continued in usage for several years.[5][8] Following Janette's death in 1923, Burgdorf sold his interest and moved to Weiser.[5] Burgdorf's population in 1925 was 13.[9]

Much of the community has now been deserted, although reconstruction has been attempted.[citation needed] The community possessed a post office as late as 1945, although it has since been closed.[10]

In 1972, the community was added as a historic district to the National Register of Historic Places.[1][5] A new county road section through the hot springs property was constructed in the early 1980s.[3]

Basketball coach George Karl was once part owner of Burgdorf.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Burgdorf, Idaho
  3. ^ a b Smith, Terry (August 13, 1981). "Workers begin cutting road to Burgdorf Hot Springs". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Central Idaho Star-News). p. 2C.
  4. ^ "Resort at Burgdorf hot springs retains all its pioneer charms; discovered by unknown Chinese". Lewiston Morning Tribune. August 30, 1931. p. 1.
  5. ^ a b c d "Burgdorf placed in National Register of Historic Places". Lewiston Morning Tribune. April 20, 1972. p. 9.
  6. ^ "Reference Series, No. 437, Burgdorf" (PDF). Idaho State Historical Society. August 1967. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 15, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  7. ^ Greenburg, Dan W. (January 5, 1936). "Ridin' the pack train to Warren". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 5.
  8. ^ "Items from Resort". Lewiston Morning Tribune. February 22, 1911. p. 5.
  9. ^ Premier Atlas of the World: Containing Maps of All Countries of the World, with the Most Recent Boundary Decisions, and Maps of All the States, territories, and Possessions of the United States with Population Figures from the Latest Official Census Reports, Also Data of Interest Concerning International and Domestic Political Questions. Rand McNally & Company. 1925. p. 190.
  10. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Burgdorf Post Office
  11. ^ Friend, Tom (May 28, 1996). "NBA Playoffs; Burgdorf, Idaho, is Karl's kind of town". New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2012.