Native American tribes from the west coast, north Idaho and as far away as Colorado would come to the banks of the Boise River for annual trading fairs, or rendezvous.

During the Civil War, the discovery of gold in Idaho's mountains brought a variety of new settlers into the area.

Many never made it to the mines but chose to settle along the Boise River and run ferries, stage stations, and freighting businesses.

He rejected the grade into Boise City as too steep and chose a site thirty miles to the west.

He drove a stake into an alkali flat of sagebrush and greasewood and the City of Caldwell was platted.

When Caldwell was platted in August 1883, its founder, the Idaho and Oregon Land Improvement Company, started persuading settlers and businessmen to move to the area.

Within four months, Caldwell had 600 residents living in 150 dwellings, 40 businesses in operation, a school, a telephone exchange and two newspapers.

On January 15, 1890, the Board of Commissioners of Ada County issued a handwritten order incorporating the City of Caldwell.

Caldwell experienced moderate growth as an agricultural processing, commercial retail and educational center during the twentieth century.

[8] Caldwell experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with short, cold winters and hot, dry summers.

[14] Indian Creek Plaza, located in downtown Caldwell, includes an ice ribbon each winter, as well as many events throughout the year.

[18] The College of Idaho is located in Caldwell and is one of the oldest four-year institutions in the state.