When Fremont H. Teed certified the original “Plat of the Townsite of Kuna” in August 1907, the etymology of the street names was simple logic. Kuna started with a Main Street, the seventh most common name in the United States according to the Census Bureau. Within the “34.50 acres more or less” described in the plat description, 1st and 2nd Streets ran east-west, parallel to Main. Avenues A through D ran north-south. After 1948, the street names were changed to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Most recently, 3rd was renamed Main.
Street names are often reflective of a town’s founding fathers or distinguished individuals. Hubbard Road is one such example in honor of D. R. Hubbard, an original land owner and developer. Lee Downum’s grandfather, Joseph Porter (1892-1980), worked for the Kuna School District. Porter Road was named as such to recognize Joe’s commitment to the students and community.
It is commonplace to name a street reflecting the State Capitol and Boise Street follows suit. Ever popular are streets named for trees. Kuna has a few of their own. For example Ash, Cedar, Maple and Walnut Avenues are all near Reed Elementary. These reflect some of the trees contiguous to the area at the time they received official recognition.
Part of a subdivision north of Reed Elementary School follows a theme. Its street names reference some of the birds of prey in the outlying area. Hawks and owls are predominant. There is Screech Owl, Striped Owl, Wood Owl and Bay Owl Streets. Then we have the hawk family with streets named Hawk Place, Hawk Court, Black Hawk, and Gisy Hawk Avenue.
The School Subdivision has streets named Ruler, Playground, Lunch Box, Library, and Pencil. Very sweet for students to learn on their way to school. The Farm Subdivision has streets named after farm equipment: Case, John Deere, Caterpillar, to name a few. These reflect the nature of Kuna’s agricultural community.
Some names are identifiers. For example, Swan Falls Road leads to Swan Falls Dam and North School Street adjoins Indian Creek Elementary. In our newer subdivisions, the developer often names the streets. Now you know.