Stop Eight: 9th and Idaho

You're halfway through the walking tour! On this stop, you will learn about the Pacific Hotel, the Kress building, the Broadbent building, and the McCarty building. The McCarty building is the only structure on this tour that was commissioned by a business woman. Why do you think there were not more structures built by women?

PACIFIC HOTEL (NW Corner - Now Merrill Lynch building)

The Pacific Hotel, constructed in 1893, replaced a Baptist Church on the Northwest Corner of 9th and Idaho. Originally called the Bancroft Hotel, the renamed the Pacific, the block came to be known as the “Beck Block” after owner Albert w. Beck served as the owner in the 1920s and 1930s.

KRESS BUILDING (Next to the Pacific Hotel - Now Merrill Lynch building)

The Kress building was constructed next to the Golden Rule store (now Athlos Academies) probably during the 1920s. Kress started his business in 1896, and his stores across the country became popular “five and dime” shops.

Kress kept architects on staff, making his stores unique. According to The National Building Museum, Kress “envisioned his stores as works of public art that would contribute to the cityscape.”

BROADBENT BUILDING (SE Corner - Home to Fancy Pants)

Tourtellotte and Hummel designed this building for the Broadbent estate. Built in 1924, the structure was the result of an agreement between the estate and businessman Moses Alexander. Alexander traded land with the estate to build his store on the northeast corner of 9th and Main Streets, and the resulting building was part of the contract.

McCARTY BUILDING (NE Corner - Home to Sarah's Bagel Café)

Commissioned by prominent Boise business woman Martha McCarthy, this building was completed in 1909. Designed by architects Wayland and Fennell, it features a zig-zag cornice motif, an uncommon feature in Boise’s buildings. McCarty also platted an addition to the west of the original city plat.

S.H. Kress & Company Collection, National Building Museum. Accessed August 19, 2023. https://www.nbm.org/collections/s-h-kress-company/.