Let's start with a little history lesson. This going to take some considerable research because much of the Grove's history is not on the internet. Library trips will probably needed to fill in all the blanks. I'll correct mistakes as I find new info or someone points it out.
The Grove Plaza has only existed in its present form since about 1990 when the Convention Center was built. Prior to that it was surface parking and part of the 15 year long controversial Boise Redevelopment Agency's (forerunner of CCDC) plan to build a downtown mall by removing many historic yet mostly abandoned and run down downtown buildings. What's frustrating is not being able to find an aerial from the 60s or 70s prior to the Grove demolition phase. You'd think that all that planning and years of effort to build a mall would have produced some aerials. Anyone? One of my main questions is when was Grove ST diverted from the grid? Was it due to the canal? Or the BRA demo era?
Found it: Apparently Grove ST was relocated in the early 70s as part of the Mall Project.
http://www.ccdcboise.com/aboutccdc/History.aspx
So keep in mind, the current Grove Plaza is a result of the abandoned downtown mall project, which nearly everyone derides. It was sort of a compromise. Or rather a band aid put on the still open wound 20 years after the early 70s demo phase
In the beginning...
Note: source of the following 3 pics is
http://digital.boisestate.edu/cdm/la...ction/archives and technically this is a violation of their TOS. I hope they don't mind since this is an educational use.
Bird's eye view drawing from 1890 showing 8th and Grove as part of the grid.
source:
http://digital.boisestate.edu/cdm/si...s/id/71/rec/17
1980s #1
1980s #2 This is before my time here but 8th appears to still punch through from Main to Front, or the diverted Grove St.
1992: Grove along with Idaho is still the main route in and out of town from the west. This pic is 2 months prior to the Front/Myrtle couplet being finished.
I'll add to this, lots more to come, including the impact of the canal, the railroad, BRA era, Broadway Chinden Connector,