State Capitols – Boise, Idaho

Idaho Capitol in Boise (14 June 2014) 

Constructed: 1906-1920 

Architect: John E. Tourtellotte 

State Admitted to Union: July 3, 1890 (43rd) 

State Population (2010): 1,567,582 (39th) 

Boise, Idaho
June 14-15, 2014

Earlier in the year, I planned a trip to this part of the country with ‘My Pal’ Jack Fontaine. We’ve known each other for over 40 years since we met in New Orleans. He now lives in Seattle. We agreed to meet in Boise and do a little road trip to take in three state houses over the course of a week.

We landed in Boise late on a beautiful Saturday afternoon...checked into lodging near the capitol and across the street from Boise State University’s blue turf football stadium. I went to the capitol, which was closed for the day and the well-kept grounds were deserted…walked around the building and took some exterior shots. I would describe the capitol as a simple, basic state house and grounds...with no excessive commemoration and memorializing.

The following morning, we returned and I had the unique experience of essentially being ALONE in the entire building. There were two security guards making rounds but after Jack left for some breakfast, it was just me, the camera and this recently restored gem of a public space.

Idaho Capitol, Boise (15 June 2014) 

The chosen design of the building let in as much natural light as possible…hence many levels of windows in the dome. See the image from beneath the dome below. The architects considered bright light symbolic of an enlightened and moral government (one hopes).

Idaho was a late-developing state. Away from the earlier settlements on the west coast, the territory that became Idaho didn’t have a permanent (non-Native) settlement until the 1860’s.

British explorers and French-Canadian fur traders were in the territory before Lewis and Clark passed through in 1805-06. A treaty in 1846 settled dominion issues with Great Britain, the official boundary with Canada was set and the Oregon Country was now part of the U.S. 

    

Beneath the Rotunda, Idaho Capitol, Boise (15 June 2014) 

The compass rose above shows the color-accented and white marble found throughout the building. Four kinds of marble, from Alaska, Vermont, Georgia and Italy, are included in the floors.

Continuing our (annoying) desire to remind our dear readers about how the people who live in certain places pronounce their names…residents call it “BOY-see” while we rude easterners tend to say “BOY-Zee.”

Idaho Capitol, Boise (15 June 2014) 

The eight columns that support the dome are actually plaster-covered steel beams decorated to look like the marble on the floor. We learned about the complicated ‘scagliola’ process at the Mississippi capitol in 2012.

Idaho Capito, Boise (5 June 2014)

President Lincoln officially designated the Idaho Territory in 1863. Lewiston was the capitol for a short time but after gold was discovered to the South in 1864, the population shifted to the Boise area and the capitol has been there ever since. Idaho entered the Union as the 43rd state in 1890.

The current building is the second state house in Boise, the first having served from 1886 to 1912. The current building was completed in phases but began operation in 1912. Since 1982, the capitol is the only state house heated entirely by geothermal energy.

Great Seal of the State of Idaho (15 June 2014) 

The Great Seal was adopted in 1891 and is the only state seal designed by a woman. The Latin quote, Esto perpetua means ‘May it Endure Forever.’ The two figures represent mining (which is what put Idaho on the map back then) and justice…always a female. The rest of the Seal extolls the state’s abundant natural resources. I believe this is a carpet representation of the Seal. There is an inlaid mosaic version…which I apparently missed.

Idaho House of Representatives, Boise (15 June 2014) 

Decorated in blue, the chamber serves 

seventy representatives elected to two-year terms. 

The entire state’s population is about that of Phoenix, Arizona. While the state is divided into 44 counties, there are just 35 legislative districts. Each district sends one senator and two representatives to Boise for three-month sessions. Those elected are considered ‘citizen legislators’ which means they have primary occupations outside of government.

Idaho Senate, Boise (15 June 2014) 

The Senate chamber was refurbished in the 1960’s and decorated in red. Thirty-five Senators are also elected to two-year terms. I was initially dismayed that the floor level entries to the chambers were locked, but the gallery levels were open and that offers a better, commanding view of the rooms.

Rotunda, Idaho Capito, Boise (5 June 2014) 

The many levels of the dome contain 350 windows to let in natural light, fulfilling the architect’s desire to make this a ‘Capitol of Light.’ Unfortunately, that huge hanging flag has impinged on my straight-up image for this capitol.

Extensive efforts were made from 2007-2009 to restore, preserve and modernize the building. I have been fortunate to have undertaken this capitol quest at a time when many had been recently gussied up.

We drove out of town that afternoon…up the Salmon River and east toward Montana. Tomorrow, I add the Helena capitol to the list.