Discover our State Capitol
One of the advantages to living in or visiting a state’s capitol is the ability to visit the state’s legislative headquarters. Often we even get to watch lawmakers while they work. Boise’s capitol building does both, inviting you and yours to see state government in action while at the same time, discovering rich stories about the building’s past. But you don’t have to wait for a spot to open on a group tour; lucky for you, Boise encourages you to take a self-guided tour and provides a detailed “map” to direct your path. Skim through 20 pages of juicy details, fun-facts and trivia about the grounds, the building, and the people who once walked its halls. We’ve dedicated this month to sharing our cliffsnotes version with you. Read it, and plan your visit!
Back to 1905
The Idaho State Capitol building has a rich history that began 15 years after Idaho became a state.
In 1905, the legislature voted to begin construction on the Capitol building and hired Boise architect John Tourtellotte to do the job. Tourtellotte’s resulting masterpiece made great use of natural light as well as a unique combination of materials to create a building that, while reminiscent of other great domed buildings in the world, is unlike any other in the Boise skyline. The majority of the Capitol building is constructed using sandstone from Table Rock, a nearby Boise landmark. Records indicate convicted felons from the then-fledgling Idaho State Penitentiary were the ones to haul the sandstone from Table Rock to the construction site.
Tourtellotte also incorporated different kinds of marble into the building’s walls and accents—red marble from Georgia, grey marble from Alaska, green marble from Vermont, and black marble from Italy. His primary inspiration came from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. It’s no surprise that the Idaho State Capitol inspires a certain amount of gravitas and old-world romance.
Did you know?
From inside the building’s Rotunda, visitors can look upward to see 13 small stars representing the original American colonies, and 43 larger stars, symbolizing that Idaho was the 43rd state in the union?
Underground tunnels connect the Idaho State Capitol building to the Supreme Court and other adjacent government buildings. These tunnels are used daily by legislative members but are not open to the public.
There is a scale replica of the Liberty Bell on the front steps of the Capitol building and visitors are encouraged to ring the bell.
According to the Capitol Commission, the original cost of the Idaho State Capitol building was $2.1 million; comparable estimates for a similar project today would exceed $100 million. Many materials used in the original construction of the building are today considered irreplaceable.
The Idaho State Capitol building is the only one in the U.S. to use geothermal water as a heat source. Like much of Boise, the Capitol building sits on top of geothermal heat meaning the water has to be pumped from depths of more than 3,000 feet.
Capitol Restoration Project
In 1998, Idaho officials began discussing plans to restore the Capitol building from nearly a century of natural wear and tear. Initial plans were drawn, and a master plan was eventually approved and funded to complete an extensive restoration project. In 2010, interior and exterior renovations were completed, as well as the construction of the additional underground legislative meeting rooms and offices, now known as the Garden Level.
Capitol Art
Last month we mentioned the art you’d see on a tour of the Capitol, and there are several impressive pieces. One of our favorites is a fantastic replica of the Winged Victory statue, or the Nike of Samothrace at the Louvre. The replica was a gift to the United States from France after World War II. Another remarkable piece is the statue of George Washington by Charles Ostner that stands on the south side of the rotunda and is carved from a single piece of pine. The figure was originally bronzed and given to the Idaho territory in 1869, but was repaired and covered in gold leaf almost 100 years later.
Other Capitol art includes some modern additions with historical roots: in 2010, when the underground wings were built, multiple old-growth trees had to be uprooted to make way for the new expansion project. Some of the trees had been planted by Presidents Benjamin Harrison, William Howard Taft, and Theodore Roosevelt. But the wood wasn’t discarded. A forward-thinking legislator, Representative Max Black, arranged for the wood to be given to local artists and turned into objects to display in the Capitol.
Consider the Capitol a living museum with enough day-of activities and historical treasures to fill an afternoon. Whether you’re a history buff, a curious citizen, or just looking for another way to experience the great city of Boise, the Idaho State Capitol should be on your list of must-see places. Book your stay with the Inn at 500 Capitol and schedule your visit to the Capitol building today!