A Legacy of Advocacy

Introduction

In a Harper’s Magazine article of 1974, L.J. Davis noted that “if things go on as they are, Boise stands an excellent chance of becoming the first American city to have deliberately eradicated itself.” Davis was referencing the recent wave of demolitions, which had washed over the city. Under the guise of “urban renewal”, these demolitions had robbed Boiseans of dozens of historic structures, and had cut a swath through the downtown core that is still visible today. Much of this destruction was the result of the Boise Redevelopment Agency’s misguided attempt to build a massive downtown mall complete with shopping, parking, and an absence of historic character or distinction. Read more »

Historic Ada County Courthouse

The historic Ada County Courthouse is a reflection of an earlier era in Boise, much as the “new” Ada County Courthouse, one mile away, is a reflection of a newer version of the city. Situated near the domed Statehouse and the historic Federal Building and Borah Post Office, the Idaho State Historical Society noted that, in the early mid-century, you could see all three levels of government (county, state, and federal) represented while standing in one spot. Read more »

Block 75

It was not until two decades after the platting of Boise in 1867 that the block between Fort and Hays Streets and Eleventh and Twelfth was purchased for development. Part of the original town site of Boise, the city block identified as Block 75 was purchased by Adoniram Judson Boyakin in October of 1883 for the modest sum of $1,500. Read more »

Empire Building

The six-story Empire Building is an example of the Chicago School architectural style. Built between 1909 and 1911, it was designed by the firm of Nisbet & Paradice, and was one of the tallest structures in Idaho until the 1930s. Active in Boise from 1909-1914, the firm also designed the Gooding School for the Blind, Sterry Hall at the College of Idaho, and several private residences in Idaho. Read more »

Log Cabin

The story of the Cabin, A Literary Center for Idaho, represents both the bounty of the forests of Idaho and the results of the efforts of many people to retain and embrace the history and distinct landscape of the state. This unique landmark was built between 1939 and 1940 for the State Forestry Department as part of the celebration of Idaho’s 50th anniversary. Read more »

Bar Gernika

Boise has a long history of welcoming settlers along the Oregon Trail and, later, along the railroad. A segment of those later settlers were Basque immigrants who found the climate similar to their European home and well-suited to shepherding, work they had done for generations on the slopes of the Pyrenees in Spain and France. Read more »

Bown House

Named after Joseph and Temperance Bown, the house’s original owners, this sandstone home was built in 1879. The two colors of sandstone used were hauled from local quarries in the Boise foothills. The home, which was situated on the highest site in the area, was known as the “block house.” It was considered quite large and luxurious at the time. Read more »

Foster's Warehouse

The Foster’s Warehouse building is one of many Boise buildings designed by the well-known local architecture firm of Tourtellotte & Hummel. The four-story building was built in 1910 by Anton Goreczky for the W.P. Fuller Paint Company. Read more »

Royal Block

The site of the Royal Plaza Building, a retail space with condominiums above, used to be the location of the Tate, Whipple, and Larson Buildings which dated from 1904. Designed by the ubiquitous Boise architectural firm of Tourtellotte and Hummel, two of the historic buildings later housed the Royal Restaurant, famous for its rich history and the gold coins built into the bar countertop. A hotel was housed in the upstairs of two of the buildings. Read more »

Please contact us if you hear of any buildings that may be threatened.

Email: info@preservationidaho.org

Phone: 208-424-5111