BOISE – An iconic Boise home will soon be no more.
The Simplot family announced today that the mansion of potato magnate J.R. Simplot will be torn down. Simplot died in 2008.
The house along Bogus Basin Road, and former Idaho governor's mansion, has been vacant for more than a decade.
Family members decided taking down the house, rather that continuing to maintain a vacant home, is the best option. The announcement came the same day that demolition began.
"The neighbors were a little shocked, they didn't know what was coming but no one expected this,"said neighbor Tim McCarthy,"It's sad because Mr. Simplot gave a great gift to all of us to have this house, this property. All that's really gonna be a loss."
For neighbors, the house was a reminder of the man who lived there.
"He used to open the house to trick-or-treaters, give them a silver dollar and a story about how to invest it wisely," said McCarthy, "I think that's just priceless."
The large American flag that flies over the site will remain. It has been removed temporarily, but will be restored once the work is complete.
"The flag is a love hate thing for this neighborhood," said McCarthy, "The flag tells us what [weather's] coming in, that sucker makes noise."
The demolition is scheduled to begin today and be mostly complete in 10 days. Some final work will likely be done in the spring when the weather conditions improve.
"I think a memorial would be nice rather than just some sod," said McCarthy.
The Simplot family plans to maintain the land, but has no immediate plans for the site.
