Business Activity

Growth continued in 1909 with at least 30 new buildings erected. That year the two-story brick Odd Fellows building was built, with part of the ground floor occupied by the Pinney Opera House. 1912 was another active building year, including the construction of the Friends Church and commercial buildings for J.W. Rounds, J.C. Hughes, and J B. Stoner. The Boise Payette Lumber Co. had a yard in Star starting in 1917. W.T. Kirtley erected the Star Mercantile Co. building in 1919. Over the years, the Star Mercantile made the transition from the cracker barrel store to a competitive mercantile carrying groceries, drugs, veterinarian supplies, stoves, and a complete line of appliances. Star also had a cheese factory in 1917, which later become the Mutual Creamery. The Star Courier provided weekly newspaper services from 1911 through 1920. The banner above the headlines read "News of Three Towns Covering North Side of the Boise Valley." These towns included Eagle, Star, and Middleton. Star reached its peak in the early 1920s with a population of over 600.

The Pioneer ditch was started in 1863 by M.B. Palmer and later extended to the Middleton Mill. This irrigation ditch and its supply of water allowed the country between Star and Middleton to be settled early.