Mary Trail, January 14, 2011, January 19, 2011, and January 27, 2011
File
Scope and Contents
From the Collection:
This collection contains recorded interviews with Boise citizens. Notable topics include Boise Bench history, Greenbelt history, Foothills Levy history, Boise Fire Department history, Boise Police Department history, and personal and political histories of former mayors and councilmembers.
Dates
- January 14, 2011, January 19, 2011, and January 27, 2011
Biographical / Historical
Mary Trail was born in Ontario, Oregon, but was raised on a family farm in Idaho. She attended school in Payette, Idaho, and graduated with two degrees from Arizona State University. Trail moved to Boise in 1970 and worked in human service occupations and participated in numerous community oriented projects and organizations. She served on the Boise City Council from 1982 to 1985.
Extent
1.8 Gigabytes
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
Mary Trail served on the council during the last years of the fight to bring the mall downtown before a new set of council members and mayor took office. The zoning for the mall to move to its suburban location was approved, and when the new council took office, downtown redevelopment pushed forward. Downtown Boise in the late 1980s and 1990s started to see construction of new buildings and other positive signs that revitalization was occurring.
In an interview with Brandi Burns on January 14, 2011, Mary Trail discusses growing up near Weiser, Idaho on a farm, attending Arizona State University to study sociology and anthropology, her master’s project working with the 1860 and 1870 census, and her work in the Model Cities and Information and Referral programs. She describes how after ten years of working for city government and years of involvement in local organizations like American Association of University Women (AAUW), she decided to run for a seat on Boise City Council. She also touches on what it was like living in the North End Neighborhood in the 1970s and 1980s, and the development has witnessed while living there.
In a second interview on January 19, 2011, Mary describes her campaign for city council in fall of 1981 and her experience as a councilmember beginning in January 1982. She discusses the issues the council worked on during her years of service including nuclear disarmament, water quality, creation of parks, preservation of open space, and redevelopment of downtown. She also describes the creation of a cultural hub downtown, World Center for Birds of Prey, and the close working relationship she experienced between Ada County and the city government.
In the third interview on January 27, 2011, Mary discusses what she feels were the defining moments for Boise including the creation of the Boise Connector, growth and expansion to the west, and expansion of the airport. She also describes the effects the recession of the 1980s had on city government and the role the Boise Redevelopment Agency played in urban renewal efforts as well as the outcome of the changes to downtown during that period of redevelopment.
Names and Places Index
Ontario, Oregon; Payette, Idaho; Payette High School; Arizona State College; Arizona State University; Family farm; JFK assassination; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Boise Model Cities Program; Information Referral Service; United Way; YWCA; American Association of University Women; Marge Ewing; Arthur Hart; Bishop’s House; Old Penitentiary; North End; Neighborhood Associations; Democratic Party; Richard Eardley; Parks Department; Library; Police Department; Boise City Arts Commission; Public Works; Nuclear armaments resolution; Foothills; Boise river; Greenbelt; Ada Planning Association; Boise Redevelopment Agency; Downtown development; Urban renewal; Boise Cascade; Boise downtown mall; Milwaukee; Connecticut; West Virginia; Chief of Police; Jim Montgomery; Fire Department; Cultural hubs; Boise Art Museum; Idaho State Historical Museum; Morrison Center; Center for the Birds of Prey; Boise parks; City Hall Plaza; “Northwest Passage” artwork; Connector; Public art; Morrison Knuden; Ore Ida; Streets for the People festival; Shakespeare Festival; Farmer’s Market; Boise River Festival; Blue Ribbon Committee; College of Idaho; President Eisenhower; Old Boise; River Street Neighborhood; Hyde Park; Boise Co-op; Cannon Beach, Oregon.
Time Index
January 14, 2011 Interview
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction
00:27 Trail discusses her background and upbringing, including birthplace and date, location where she was raised, schools attended, and stories pertaining to these subjects.
4:57 Trail comments of the significance of fifty year reunions and the memories they brought back of her previous social involvements. Discusses being Class President, editor of the school paper, and challenges following the burning down of Payette High School.
7:48 Trail discusses her decision-making process concerning which college to attend. Comments on her love of warm winters and her decision to attend Arizona State College, then discussing its transition to Arizona State University. Trail also briefly reflects on friendships and ongoing acquaintances.
10:16 Trail speaks about her courses of study while in college, and her transition from sciences to sociology and anthropology because of her love for interaction with people.
10:47 Trail discusses briefly what her first job out of school was at a women’s dormitory, and discusses her ruptured appendix and subsequent move back to the farm after her second year of employment at the dormitory. As this took place in 1963, Trail also comments on the national sadness of the JFK assassination.
12:28 Trail discusses the next years cross-country adventures on a Greyhound bus and a stop in Arizona that ended up giving her the opportunity to be a teaching assistant in Sociology, which she did from 1964-1966.
14:35 Trail discusses her efforts toward her thesis and constant research; returning to the same professor for a new thesis project about Arizona demography census 1860 and 1870. Discusses how readily available the records were due to so many Civil War veterans requesting records for their pensions.
16:40 Trail discusses the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. while she was still studying and teaching in Arizona. Reflects on leaving through back doors to join marches; these events made her realize her lingering passion for the public and policy.
17:10 Trail discusses her process of leaving work in 1969 to take the classes she desired and to finish her Master’s Thesis, which she successfully did in 1970. Then goes on to discuss her return to Idaho and how she became involved in the Boise Model Cities Program.
19:15 Trail speaks of her nine years working for Information Referral and the details of the job. Trail then discusses the details of her decision to run for Council in 1981.
20:48 Trial further discusses detail of the Information Referral Service, including details of its founding, circumstances under which the system was implemented, and why it was so fundamental. Goes on to discuss her reasons for leaving the Model Cities Program for the Information Referral Service.
27:32 Trail speaks about the 1978 move to reduce property taxes, etc. and the reduction in public funding after this occurred. Goes on to discuss getting funded by the United way by 1989, though they were not very receptive, according to Trail. Discusses the end of her time and after she had left the Information Referral Service.
28:50 Trail discusses a few of the key point of what made her run for council, among these being her involvement in the YWCA. Goes on in further detail of what her position entailed at the association.
32:01 Trail discusses another part of her running for Council being preceded by her Presidency of the Boise chapter of the American Association of University Women from 1977-79. Goes on to discuss more about the association and her time there.
34:15 After turning down a position as the state President for the AAUW for the lack of desire to travel the state, Trail discusses her slow edging into society, her notification of Marge Ewing’s status in that years election, and other events leading up to her campaign and time on Council.
35:30 Trail discusses the beginnings of her time on City Council, details of her election, and how previous involvement on projects helped her, or returned to her, while on the council. 39:13 Trail discusses the makings of a “sympathetic North Ender” and why it was so important at the time. She also discusses her initial move to Boise, including attempts to find an apartment, who she met, and the locations of her abodes.
46:50 Trail discusses her efforts with Arthur Hart to save the Bishops House from being destroyed, and instead moved to its current location at the Old Penitentiary. She further discusses the development of the North End around her, other council members that had be “sypmathetics” as well, and neighborhood associations.
49:45 Trail speaks of local policy interest after her time on council, as well as the redistricting of Boise to proportion politicians; this is when district representatives came about.
51:30 Trail fondly discusses former friends and fellow council members.
52:49 Conclusion of interview Part 1.
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction
00:27 Trail discusses her background and upbringing, including birthplace and date, location where she was raised, schools attended, and stories pertaining to these subjects.
4:57 Trail comments of the significance of fifty year reunions and the memories they brought back of her previous social involvements. Discusses being Class President, editor of the school paper, and challenges following the burning down of Payette High School.
7:48 Trail discusses her decision-making process concerning which college to attend. Comments on her love of warm winters and her decision to attend Arizona State College, then discussing its transition to Arizona State University. Trail also briefly reflects on friendships and ongoing acquaintances.
10:16 Trail speaks about her courses of study while in college, and her transition from sciences to sociology and anthropology because of her love for interaction with people.
10:47 Trail discusses briefly what her first job out of school was at a women’s dormitory, and discusses her ruptured appendix and subsequent move back to the farm after her second year of employment at the dormitory. As this took place in 1963, Trail also comments on the national sadness of the JFK assassination.
12:28 Trail discusses the next years cross-country adventures on a Greyhound bus and a stop in Arizona that ended up giving her the opportunity to be a teaching assistant in Sociology, which she did from 1964-1966.
14:35 Trail discusses her efforts toward her thesis and constant research; returning to the same professor for a new thesis project about Arizona demography census 1860 and 1870. Discusses how readily available the records were due to so many Civil War veterans requesting records for their pensions.
16:40 Trail discusses the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. while she was still studying and teaching in Arizona. Reflects on leaving through back doors to join marches; these events made her realize her lingering passion for the public and policy.
17:10 Trail discusses her process of leaving work in 1969 to take the classes she desired and to finish her Master’s Thesis, which she successfully did in 1970. Then goes on to discuss her return to Idaho and how she became involved in the Boise Model Cities Program.
19:15 Trail speaks of her nine years working for Information Referral and the details of the job. Trail then discusses the details of her decision to run for Council in 1981.
20:48 Trial further discusses detail of the Information Referral Service, including details of its founding, circumstances under which the system was implemented, and why it was so fundamental. Goes on to discuss her reasons for leaving the Model Cities Program for the Information Referral Service.
27:32 Trail speaks about the 1978 move to reduce property taxes, etc. and the reduction in public funding after this occurred. Goes on to discuss getting funded by the United way by 1989, though they were not very receptive, according to Trail. Discusses the end of her time and after she had left the Information Referral Service.
28:50 Trail discusses a few of the key point of what made her run for council, among these being her involvement in the YWCA. Goes on in further detail of what her position entailed at the association.
32:01 Trail discusses another part of her running for Council being preceded by her Presidency of the Boise chapter of the American Association of University Women from 1977-79. Goes on to discuss more about the association and her time there.
34:15 After turning down a position as the state President for the AAUW for the lack of desire to travel the state, Trail discusses her slow edging into society, her notification of Marge Ewing’s status in that years election, and other events leading up to her campaign and time on Council.
35:30 Trail discusses the beginnings of her time on City Council, details of her election, and how previous involvement on projects helped her, or returned to her, while on the council. 39:13 Trail discusses the makings of a “sympathetic North Ender” and why it was so important at the time. She also discusses her initial move to Boise, including attempts to find an apartment, who she met, and the locations of her abodes.
46:50 Trail discusses her efforts with Arthur Hart to save the Bishops House from being destroyed, and instead moved to its current location at the Old Penitentiary. She further discusses the development of the North End around her, other council members that had be “sypmathetics” as well, and neighborhood associations.
49:45 Trail speaks of local policy interest after her time on council, as well as the redistricting of Boise to proportion politicians; this is when district representatives came about.
51:30 Trail fondly discusses former friends and fellow council members.
52:49 Conclusion of interview Part 1.
Time Index
January 19, 2011 Interview
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction
0:22 Trail discusses the fall of 1981 and the bright side of her campaign for city council. Mentions a picnic for the Democratic Party, winning a picnic at the Mayor’s home, which was moved to January of 1982 because of campaigning; took place approximately two weeks into her term.
5:45 Trail discusses the beginnings of her council service in 1982. Mayor Evans making assignments to council members for which organizations they would be liaisons. Over her four year term, Trail had been involved with the Parks Department, Library, Police Department, City Arts Commission, and Public Works. Goes on to discuss details of her presidency of the council for the final two years of her term.
7:45 Trail discusses the meetings and times of the council, along with the environment and interaction between members. Specifically mentions trying to pass a nuclear armaments resolution that filled a lot of council time. Tied 3-3 in council, vetoed by Mayor. Goes on to discuss the variety of subjects they would discuss in council and hearings.
11:10 Trail goes back to discuss the nuclear resolution; council chambers had been standing room only at the public hearing, community members ranging from veterans to mothers, some anti-nuclear, some pro. Mentions a film that many of the community members were influenced by, does not recall the name.
13:45 Continuing on the discussion of the nuclear resolution, Trail discusses the peace seeking groups that came through Boise. Mentions specifically a group from Japan who brought books and stories of first-hand nuclear experiences. Hotbed subject; Trail had declared her seat in council chambers a nuclear-free zone.
16:40 Along the lines of nuclear topics, Trail discusses the subject of the debate of putting a nuclear power plant in Payette, Idaho where she now runs farm land with her brother. Mentions that in a way this had always been a part of her life.
18:12 Trail mentions another major undertaking of the water conditions during her council time. Foothills runoff, drainage problems, flooding. Boise River functioning more as a canal because of the dams; also mentions the need to flood parts of the Greenbelt at the time. Trail also discusses her love for conservation being a life-long passion; this is discussed in further detail later in the interview.
22:45 Trail briefly discusses her time on the Ada Planning Association. During this time council members on the APA would be the liaisons between council and the association. Trail also seems to recall that it was during the establishment of this association that the 911 process was developed.
24:28 Trail discusses the Boise Redevelopment Agency, downtown development, and urban renewal; personal views.
27:10 Trail discusses the desire Boise Cascade had at the time to get the contract for the Boise Downtown mall in 1983. BC had taken the council members on a four day trip on a private jet to locations such as Milwaukee, Connecticut, and West Virginia to tour malls with contractors and development agencies.
30:15 Trail discusses another significant experience during her time on council being the retirement of the Chief of Police and the nationwide search for a new Chief. She had been liaison for the Police Department at the time of his retirement and had a large role in finding his replacement, Jim Montgomery.
32:12 Trail also mentions her time at liaison to the Fire Department. Tells a story of a ride along she took with the department to the airport when they were called to duty and she witnessed their work first-hand.
34:30 Trail discusses what she feels were her accomplishments while on council. Discusses that she ran on the position of keeping Boise cohesive and feels that was maintained. Focused on farmland, boundaries, and development in their respective areas. Trail also mentions her feelings of accomplishment that came along with her being asked to speak at several events because of her background in social work.
37:22 Trail discusses the costs of being an elected official in the current era, monetarily. Feels positions shouldn’t be costly and that having things such as these happen negates the image of community service she had left behind.
38:32 Trail discusses what she feels were her personal defining moments, including learning about city life and development coming from farm and college environments. Feels the Model Cities Program and her time on council gave her a new perspective, and feels she learned more about environment and conservation through working in the city.
41:30 Trail discusses what she feel were the defining moments for the City of Boise. The development of “cultural hubs” in the areas around downtown Boise that included the Boise Art Museum, the Historical Museum, Library, and others; the building of the Morrison Center, expansion and care of the River and Greenbelt, and the development of the Center for Birds of Prey. Trail feels, though while this did not all happen while she was on council, that they had a large impact on the development of different community aspects.
46:35 Trail discusses community parks and their importance. Also mentions that a great asset the Boise had at the time was a good government; interested and committed people were involved in local government.
48:50 Trail discusses the expansion of the City Hall Plaza. Mentions the debate over what the fund for public art should be used on for the front of City Hall, and the governor had commissioned a piece that ended up being installed near the Art Museum, named “Northwest Passage.” Trail discusses her affinity for the piece.
50:37 Trail discusses the effects the earthquake in Chalice in 1983 had on the city of Boise; damage to City Hall, cracks in the underground parking structure, and so on, not negating city damage. Trail mentions that part of the repair plan included the building of the Plaza, where the flags are now installed; goes on to discuss her feelings and thoughts about the new Plaza.
55:11 Conclusion of interview; end of track two.
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction
0:22 Trail discusses the fall of 1981 and the bright side of her campaign for city council. Mentions a picnic for the Democratic Party, winning a picnic at the Mayor’s home, which was moved to January of 1982 because of campaigning; took place approximately two weeks into her term.
5:45 Trail discusses the beginnings of her council service in 1982. Mayor Evans making assignments to council members for which organizations they would be liaisons. Over her four year term, Trail had been involved with the Parks Department, Library, Police Department, City Arts Commission, and Public Works. Goes on to discuss details of her presidency of the council for the final two years of her term.
7:45 Trail discusses the meetings and times of the council, along with the environment and interaction between members. Specifically mentions trying to pass a nuclear armaments resolution that filled a lot of council time. Tied 3-3 in council, vetoed by Mayor. Goes on to discuss the variety of subjects they would discuss in council and hearings.
11:10 Trail goes back to discuss the nuclear resolution; council chambers had been standing room only at the public hearing, community members ranging from veterans to mothers, some anti-nuclear, some pro. Mentions a film that many of the community members were influenced by, does not recall the name.
13:45 Continuing on the discussion of the nuclear resolution, Trail discusses the peace seeking groups that came through Boise. Mentions specifically a group from Japan who brought books and stories of first-hand nuclear experiences. Hotbed subject; Trail had declared her seat in council chambers a nuclear-free zone.
16:40 Along the lines of nuclear topics, Trail discusses the subject of the debate of putting a nuclear power plant in Payette, Idaho where she now runs farm land with her brother. Mentions that in a way this had always been a part of her life.
18:12 Trail mentions another major undertaking of the water conditions during her council time. Foothills runoff, drainage problems, flooding. Boise River functioning more as a canal because of the dams; also mentions the need to flood parts of the Greenbelt at the time. Trail also discusses her love for conservation being a life-long passion; this is discussed in further detail later in the interview.
22:45 Trail briefly discusses her time on the Ada Planning Association. During this time council members on the APA would be the liaisons between council and the association. Trail also seems to recall that it was during the establishment of this association that the 911 process was developed.
24:28 Trail discusses the Boise Redevelopment Agency, downtown development, and urban renewal; personal views.
27:10 Trail discusses the desire Boise Cascade had at the time to get the contract for the Boise Downtown mall in 1983. BC had taken the council members on a four day trip on a private jet to locations such as Milwaukee, Connecticut, and West Virginia to tour malls with contractors and development agencies.
30:15 Trail discusses another significant experience during her time on council being the retirement of the Chief of Police and the nationwide search for a new Chief. She had been liaison for the Police Department at the time of his retirement and had a large role in finding his replacement, Jim Montgomery.
32:12 Trail also mentions her time at liaison to the Fire Department. Tells a story of a ride along she took with the department to the airport when they were called to duty and she witnessed their work first-hand.
34:30 Trail discusses what she feels were her accomplishments while on council. Discusses that she ran on the position of keeping Boise cohesive and feels that was maintained. Focused on farmland, boundaries, and development in their respective areas. Trail also mentions her feelings of accomplishment that came along with her being asked to speak at several events because of her background in social work.
37:22 Trail discusses the costs of being an elected official in the current era, monetarily. Feels positions shouldn’t be costly and that having things such as these happen negates the image of community service she had left behind.
38:32 Trail discusses what she feels were her personal defining moments, including learning about city life and development coming from farm and college environments. Feels the Model Cities Program and her time on council gave her a new perspective, and feels she learned more about environment and conservation through working in the city.
41:30 Trail discusses what she feel were the defining moments for the City of Boise. The development of “cultural hubs” in the areas around downtown Boise that included the Boise Art Museum, the Historical Museum, Library, and others; the building of the Morrison Center, expansion and care of the River and Greenbelt, and the development of the Center for Birds of Prey. Trail feels, though while this did not all happen while she was on council, that they had a large impact on the development of different community aspects.
46:35 Trail discusses community parks and their importance. Also mentions that a great asset the Boise had at the time was a good government; interested and committed people were involved in local government.
48:50 Trail discusses the expansion of the City Hall Plaza. Mentions the debate over what the fund for public art should be used on for the front of City Hall, and the governor had commissioned a piece that ended up being installed near the Art Museum, named “Northwest Passage.” Trail discusses her affinity for the piece.
50:37 Trail discusses the effects the earthquake in Chalice in 1983 had on the city of Boise; damage to City Hall, cracks in the underground parking structure, and so on, not negating city damage. Trail mentions that part of the repair plan included the building of the Plaza, where the flags are now installed; goes on to discuss her feelings and thoughts about the new Plaza.
55:11 Conclusion of interview; end of track two.
Time Index
January 27, 2011 Interview
Minutes Summary Track Three
00:00 Introduction
00:28 Trail continues her discussion on what she feels are the defining moments of Boise; the most significant of these being the decision to remove the rails from downtown and place the connector.
2:17 Trail discusses the airport expansion; after the mall was established much growth moved to the West. Trail goes on to mention that while it has changed as much as it has, she appreciates the commemorative artwork marking the significant airport milestones.
3:55 Trail discusses her role in the beginnings of public art. These include helping the Boise Art Museum purchase their display cases among other things.
5:39 Trail briefly discusses her thoughts on airport expansion and its indications and contributions to the traffic through, and growth of, Boise.
7:00 Trail discusses what life in Boise was like when large corporate headquarters were in the city, i.e. Morrison Knudsen, Ore Ida, Boise Cascade, among others. There connection to the outside world is spoken of, as well as the advantage of their trickle-down effect on cultural and fundraising events. Trail also mentions their contributions to the Boise Redevelopment Project.
9:50 Trail discusses the recession that occurred in the 1980s and how it was handled at the Capitol. She discusses staff cutbacks during Mayor Eardly’s term, so much so that there was one secretary for six council members. Also discusses the impact of the hiring freeze and negotiations with emergency response departments.
15:06 Trail tells a story of her experience with the fire chief, fire fighters, and other council members going into a controlled burn with a hose and attempting to fight a fire. 17:57 Trail further discusses council relations and the benefits of non-partisan elections. Comments on the few years after she had been on council and district voting began, the council focus switched from Boise Business to the Boise Redevelopment Agency.
20:35 Trail discusses the state the Boise was in when she moved to the city in 1970; buildings were still being torn down, though some had holds on them for historic purposes. Many of those ended up getting demolished anyway. Discusses the correlations between the Boise Model Cities Project and the Boise Redevelopment Agency and their shared funding; comments on her job on council also becoming her job on the BRA board.
25:05 Trail fondly recalls summer festivals that were occurring during her time on council, one of them being a street festival called “Streets for the People.” Comments on presence of the Shakespeare Festival in downtown Boise on 9th and Main Streets [the current location of Angell’s Restaurant] bringing much of the traffic to the downtown area in the summer.
27:13 Trail discusses the growth of the farmer’s market, beginning as a small market for a few weekends set up by the Downtown Association, which at times was not quite profitable, to becoming the Saturday Farmer’s Market that it is today.
28:45 Trail mentions her love of costumes and incorporating that into the Street Festival for the four years it ran while she was in Boise. Ended because of redevelopment and building plans; replaced later with the Boise River Festival.
31:32 Trail mentions that she had always been an advocate for redevelopments and the building of the mall; bringing in developers from out of state and bringing business to the downtown area were two of her main focuses.
32:58 Trail discusses her feelings about redevelopment, most of which are reflected as being challenging and frustrating. Discusses conflicting ideas among developers, between developers and council, and the like. Trail makes clear that she is very proud of her time on city council, but the redevelopment was a highly frustrating issue.
34:55 Trail vaguely recollects the Blue Ribbon Committee. Remembers ten people, approximately two women, and the Chair of the Committee later went on to become the President of the College of Idaho.
37:35 Trail discusses the concept of the downtown mall; after lifting the rails to implement the connector, she had felt the idea would have worked. She goes on to acknowledge that the public had preconceived notions of what a mall should look like, and which anchor stores should be in place; things like this let to its placement now.
41:40 Trail comments on why the connector was put in place. Fairview was the only road into the downtown area at the time, Boise was growing, redevelopment allowed for more traffic on roads; the connector helped producers bring their product to the warehouses on 8th Street more effectively.
44:40 Trail discusses the development of the highway systems under Eisenhower and the builders initially wanting to build along the Boise River. When the city objected, the highway was moved to its current location by the airport. She goes on to discuss the beauty of the parks and how the city would have formed itself in a different way had the system been built the way the builders desired.
47:36 Trail discusses the highway disagreements leading to the clean up of the Boise River beds.
49:43 Trail comments on the interest in Old Boise beginning during the redevelopment era. Interest in preservation began in the River Street area, Hyde Park was being rehabilitated and expanded, and housing stock went up. Also mentions that the Boise Co-op was started in a home in the River Street area.
52:56 Trail gives a list of the different locations of the Boise Co-op over the years.
55:15 End of track three, part one.
Track Three, continued.
00:00 Introduction; continuation of interview.
00:30 Trail discusses her thoughts on why there was no preservation in the River Street area, her thoughts being the redevelopment and expansion being very much a part of the demolition of historic River Street areas.
3:00 Trail discusses the events occurring around Boise at the time and what was becoming attractive to builders.
4:28 Trail comments on the housing stock not being as substantial in the River Street area as it was in the North End. Discusses the saving of the Egyptian theatre and the relocation of City Hall during the redevelopment era.
7:23 Trail discusses why and when she left Boise. In 1986 she had gone to Oregon to work on a campaign which was successful; she had been going back and forth but ended up purchasing a home in Cannon Beach. Trail goes on to discuss her dwindling interest in city life and move back to her parents farm in Payette, Idaho, where she purchased her home in 1992, after selling the other two homes she had owned. She mentions what being on the council taught her about conservation and how she and her brother implemented this into their farm life
11:47 Trail mentions her favorite quote about conservation while on council: “The frog does not drink up the pond in which it lives.” Trail goes on to discuss her feelings and thoughts on this.
12:49 End of track three; conclusion of interview.
Minutes Summary Track Three
00:00 Introduction
00:28 Trail continues her discussion on what she feels are the defining moments of Boise; the most significant of these being the decision to remove the rails from downtown and place the connector.
2:17 Trail discusses the airport expansion; after the mall was established much growth moved to the West. Trail goes on to mention that while it has changed as much as it has, she appreciates the commemorative artwork marking the significant airport milestones.
3:55 Trail discusses her role in the beginnings of public art. These include helping the Boise Art Museum purchase their display cases among other things.
5:39 Trail briefly discusses her thoughts on airport expansion and its indications and contributions to the traffic through, and growth of, Boise.
7:00 Trail discusses what life in Boise was like when large corporate headquarters were in the city, i.e. Morrison Knudsen, Ore Ida, Boise Cascade, among others. There connection to the outside world is spoken of, as well as the advantage of their trickle-down effect on cultural and fundraising events. Trail also mentions their contributions to the Boise Redevelopment Project.
9:50 Trail discusses the recession that occurred in the 1980s and how it was handled at the Capitol. She discusses staff cutbacks during Mayor Eardly’s term, so much so that there was one secretary for six council members. Also discusses the impact of the hiring freeze and negotiations with emergency response departments.
15:06 Trail tells a story of her experience with the fire chief, fire fighters, and other council members going into a controlled burn with a hose and attempting to fight a fire. 17:57 Trail further discusses council relations and the benefits of non-partisan elections. Comments on the few years after she had been on council and district voting began, the council focus switched from Boise Business to the Boise Redevelopment Agency.
20:35 Trail discusses the state the Boise was in when she moved to the city in 1970; buildings were still being torn down, though some had holds on them for historic purposes. Many of those ended up getting demolished anyway. Discusses the correlations between the Boise Model Cities Project and the Boise Redevelopment Agency and their shared funding; comments on her job on council also becoming her job on the BRA board.
25:05 Trail fondly recalls summer festivals that were occurring during her time on council, one of them being a street festival called “Streets for the People.” Comments on presence of the Shakespeare Festival in downtown Boise on 9th and Main Streets [the current location of Angell’s Restaurant] bringing much of the traffic to the downtown area in the summer.
27:13 Trail discusses the growth of the farmer’s market, beginning as a small market for a few weekends set up by the Downtown Association, which at times was not quite profitable, to becoming the Saturday Farmer’s Market that it is today.
28:45 Trail mentions her love of costumes and incorporating that into the Street Festival for the four years it ran while she was in Boise. Ended because of redevelopment and building plans; replaced later with the Boise River Festival.
31:32 Trail mentions that she had always been an advocate for redevelopments and the building of the mall; bringing in developers from out of state and bringing business to the downtown area were two of her main focuses.
32:58 Trail discusses her feelings about redevelopment, most of which are reflected as being challenging and frustrating. Discusses conflicting ideas among developers, between developers and council, and the like. Trail makes clear that she is very proud of her time on city council, but the redevelopment was a highly frustrating issue.
34:55 Trail vaguely recollects the Blue Ribbon Committee. Remembers ten people, approximately two women, and the Chair of the Committee later went on to become the President of the College of Idaho.
37:35 Trail discusses the concept of the downtown mall; after lifting the rails to implement the connector, she had felt the idea would have worked. She goes on to acknowledge that the public had preconceived notions of what a mall should look like, and which anchor stores should be in place; things like this let to its placement now.
41:40 Trail comments on why the connector was put in place. Fairview was the only road into the downtown area at the time, Boise was growing, redevelopment allowed for more traffic on roads; the connector helped producers bring their product to the warehouses on 8th Street more effectively.
44:40 Trail discusses the development of the highway systems under Eisenhower and the builders initially wanting to build along the Boise River. When the city objected, the highway was moved to its current location by the airport. She goes on to discuss the beauty of the parks and how the city would have formed itself in a different way had the system been built the way the builders desired.
47:36 Trail discusses the highway disagreements leading to the clean up of the Boise River beds.
49:43 Trail comments on the interest in Old Boise beginning during the redevelopment era. Interest in preservation began in the River Street area, Hyde Park was being rehabilitated and expanded, and housing stock went up. Also mentions that the Boise Co-op was started in a home in the River Street area.
52:56 Trail gives a list of the different locations of the Boise Co-op over the years.
55:15 End of track three, part one.
Track Three, continued.
00:00 Introduction; continuation of interview.
00:30 Trail discusses her thoughts on why there was no preservation in the River Street area, her thoughts being the redevelopment and expansion being very much a part of the demolition of historic River Street areas.
3:00 Trail discusses the events occurring around Boise at the time and what was becoming attractive to builders.
4:28 Trail comments on the housing stock not being as substantial in the River Street area as it was in the North End. Discusses the saving of the Egyptian theatre and the relocation of City Hall during the redevelopment era.
7:23 Trail discusses why and when she left Boise. In 1986 she had gone to Oregon to work on a campaign which was successful; she had been going back and forth but ended up purchasing a home in Cannon Beach. Trail goes on to discuss her dwindling interest in city life and move back to her parents farm in Payette, Idaho, where she purchased her home in 1992, after selling the other two homes she had owned. She mentions what being on the council taught her about conservation and how she and her brother implemented this into their farm life
11:47 Trail mentions her favorite quote about conservation while on council: “The frog does not drink up the pond in which it lives.” Trail goes on to discuss her feelings and thoughts on this.
12:49 End of track three; conclusion of interview.
Source
- Trail, Mary (Narrator, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Collections Repository