Boise City National Bank
a.k.a. Simplot Building
8th and Idaho Sts., Boise, IDThe Boise City National Bank is architecturally significant as one of the best extant commercial examples of the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival style in the west. Constructed of Boise sandstone quarried at Tablerock, and erected three years after Richardson's Marshall Field Warehouse in Chicago, this bank building is an outstanding local landmark.
Originally the bank was to be a $13,000 structure, but architect James King convinced the bank trustees that a more substantial building should be erected. Thus $40,000 was allocated for the construction of this building whose style and 20-inch sandstone walls were "to give an idea of solidity, strength, and permanence."
James King was an important Boise architect of the 1890s. He designed the National Register Moore-Cunningham house and the walls and administration building of the state penitentiary. The Boise City National Bank is the only surviving example of his commercial work.
Tourtellotte and Co., the foremost architects of their period in Boise, designed the 1904-05 addition and the 1913 remodeling. Both these alterations maintained the original building's spirit and appearance, and the crenelated parapet is a distinct enhancement of the original. (Charles Hummel, its designer, was German-born and trained.)
Local significance of the building:
Originally the bank was to be a $13,000 structure, but architect James King convinced the bank trustees that a more substantial building should be erected. Thus $40,000 was allocated for the construction of this building whose style and 20-inch sandstone walls were "to give an idea of solidity, strength, and permanence."
James King was an important Boise architect of the 1890s. He designed the National Register Moore-Cunningham house and the walls and administration building of the state penitentiary. The Boise City National Bank is the only surviving example of his commercial work.
Tourtellotte and Co., the foremost architects of their period in Boise, designed the 1904-05 addition and the 1913 remodeling. Both these alterations maintained the original building's spirit and appearance, and the crenelated parapet is a distinct enhancement of the original. (Charles Hummel, its designer, was German-born and trained.)
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Idaho was one of the last states in the US to grant women the right to vote. Women in Idaho were granted suffrage in 1896, four years before the 19th Amendment was ratified.
About Ada County
Ada County Timeline
Ada County is located in southwestern Idaho and was established in 1864. It is named after Ada Riggs, daughter of the first settler in the area, H.C. Riggs. The region was originally inhabited by the Shoshone and Bannock Native American tribes. In the early 1800s, European fur traders and explorers began to arrive in the area.
The discovery of gold in the Boise Basin in the 1860s led to a population boom in Ada County and its county seat, Boise City. The area became a major supply center for miners, and many settlers moved to the county in search of prosperity. Agriculture also thrived in the fertile Boise River Valley, with farmers growing crops such as potatoes, grains, and orchard fruits.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ada County experienced significant growth and development. The completion of the Oregon Short Line Railroad in 1887 boosted the local economy, opening up new markets for agricultural products and facilitating transportation. The city of Boise became a regional economic hub, attracting businesses, government institutions, and educational facilities.
Throughout the 20th century, Ada County continued to grow, with an increasing population and expanding infrastructure. The county's economy diversified, and industries such as manufacturing, technology, and healthcare emerged. Today, Ada County is known for its thriving economy, outdoor recreational opportunities, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a desirable place to live and visit in Idaho.
The discovery of gold in the Boise Basin in the 1860s led to a population boom in Ada County and its county seat, Boise City. The area became a major supply center for miners, and many settlers moved to the county in search of prosperity. Agriculture also thrived in the fertile Boise River Valley, with farmers growing crops such as potatoes, grains, and orchard fruits.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ada County experienced significant growth and development. The completion of the Oregon Short Line Railroad in 1887 boosted the local economy, opening up new markets for agricultural products and facilitating transportation. The city of Boise became a regional economic hub, attracting businesses, government institutions, and educational facilities.
Throughout the 20th century, Ada County continued to grow, with an increasing population and expanding infrastructure. The county's economy diversified, and industries such as manufacturing, technology, and healthcare emerged. Today, Ada County is known for its thriving economy, outdoor recreational opportunities, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a desirable place to live and visit in Idaho.
Ada County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Ada County, Idaho.
- 1805 - Lewis and Clark Expedition passes through the area now known as Ada County.
- 1812 - The first fur trading post, known as Fort Boise, is established by the British Hudson's Bay Company.
- 1843 - The Oregon Trail is established, bringing settlers to the region.
- 1863 - Ada County is created as one of the original counties of Idaho Territory.
- 1864 - Boise becomes the capital of the Idaho Territory.
- 1872 - The first railroad reaches Boise, spurring growth and development in the area.
- 1892 - The Idaho State Penitentiary is constructed in Boise.
- 1912 - Idaho becomes a state, and Boise remains its capital.
- 1959 - The East End Historic District in Boise is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1973 - The Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center opens, providing educational programs about the area's wildlife and natural resources.
- 1996 - The World Center for Birds of Prey, operated by The Peregrine Fund, opens in Boise.
- 2020 - Ada County experiences rapid population growth and becomes a thriving economic center.