Long‑time residents of Twin Falls often recall a line of poplar trees that stretched alongside Blue Lakes, a landmark many associate with the former Target store. Recent analysis of historic satellite images, however, suggests the trees were actually situated a short distance south of Target, nearer to the Winco, PetSmart, and OfficeMax businesses.
How the location was determined
The researcher, a local enthusiast, compared a historic Google Earth view with a current‑day screenshot. By carefully aligning the historic tree line with the curvature of Grandview Drive, the overlay shows that, if the poplars were still standing, they would intersect the west wall of the ATT store and the nearby laundromat rather than the Target façade.
Why the clarification matters
Understanding the exact placement of these trees helps preserve Twin Falls’ visual history and offers a clearer picture of how the area transitioned from farmland to commercial development. The clarification also counters a common local belief that the trees were directly in front of Target, a memory that many longtime residents have shared.
Community response
Local listeners have been invited to share their own recollections via the station’s app. While many still remember the trees as being adjacent to Target, the satellite evidence provides a tangible reference point for anyone interested in the city’s past landscape.
Credits and sources
Special thanks go to Jeff Sorenson and Jay Barlogi for supplying historical photographs that aided the cross‑reference between the two time periods. The image used in this analysis was captured from Google Earth’s public archive.
For those who wish to view the overlay themselves, the original screenshot and the historic tree line image are available on the station’s website.
Original reporting: 580 KIDO Talk Radio (Boise) — read the source article.
