GPS City GuideBoiseBoise City National Bank

Stop 14 of 30 · Boise audio walking tour

Boise City National Bank

Boise · 1892 · Richardsonian Romanesque commercial landmark

What you'll hear here: about 90 seconds on what happened at Boise City National Bank and around Boise — the audio starts on its own when you walk into range.

James King designed the Boise City National Bank building, completed in 1892. Designed by architect James King as a 3-story, Richardsonian Romanesque commercial structure, it was inspired by the Marshall Field's Wholesale Store in Chicago. Construction began in April, 1891, and the building was completed in 1892. Over the years this address has also been called the Simplot Building, the Baird Building, and the Capital Security Building, and people informally refer to it as the 801 Building or the 805 Building. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 1978.

You can picture the footprint here: a corner lot measuring 70 feet on West Idaho Street and 60 feet on North 8th Street. Inside, the bank occupied commercial space 25 feet by 53 feet, while other storefronts opened onto 8th Street and Idaho Street. The second and third floors each contained eleven offices, brightened by a central skylight. Look at the sandstone facade — it was originally intended to extend only six feet above street level, with brick and stone trim planned above. Picture the sandstone reaching just six feet up before brick and stone trim take over the rest of the facade.

Where it is

Coordinates
43.61639, -116.20222
Area
Boise
Era
1892 · Richardsonian Romanesque commercial landmark
Start the Boise tour →

Three stops free. No account needed. The audio plays itself as you walk.