Stop Seven: 8th and Idaho

On this stop, you will learn about one of Boise's former City Hall buildings, the Boise City National Bank, the Mode department store, and the Fidelity Building.

This intersection is often part of the Boise Farmer's Market. While you're learning about the historic buildings nearby, reflect on what it means to use city streets in variety of ways--not just for driving, but for events. Why do you think it is important to have this ability?

BOISE CITY HALL (SE Corner - Now Main Market Place)

James C. Paulsen designed the former Boise City Hall, incorporating the Rhenish Romanesque architectural style, along with red brick and local sandstone.

Completed in 1893, the building was used as a backdrop for many photographs and community celebrations. After the city outgrew the building, it was demolished in 1953 for a one-story drug store. 

BOISE CITY NATIONAL BANK (SW Corner - Home to Fork restaurant)

The Boise City National Bank was incorporated in 1886. In 1891, architect James King was commissioned to design this building. Finished with oak and bronze, the building had two vaults—one to house money and the other for important documents and papers. The fifteen-ton cash vault held a five-ton safe.

The building originally had three floors. The first was the bank and the upper two floors housed the federal court, the federal marshal’s office, and the U.S. surveyor general. In 1913, Tourtellotte and Hummel remodeled the building, adding a fourth floor. The additions reinforced the Romanesque design, an extremely popular architectural style in Boise at that time.

THE MODE (NW Corner - Home to The North Face)

Architects Nisbet & Paradice designed The Mode department building for the Mode department store, managed by Henry Falk. Opened in 1910, the building was declared, “Idaho’s Biggest, Boise’s Best Store.” The interior was destroyed by a fire in 1958, but reopened in 1959 after a remodel.

FIDELITY BUILDING (NE Corner - Home to Bitter Creek Ale House)

Originally called the Montandon building, this building was constructed to house the Anderson-Bloomquist department store. Designed by J.W. Smith, the store opened on January 15, 1909 and closed for good in 1927. In 1928, Fidelity Loan and Investment Company moved in and placed the “Fidelity” sign on the corner of the second floor. 

Department of Planning & Development Services. Shaping Boise: A Selection of Boise's Landmark Buildings, City of Boise, 2010. Accessed August 3, 2023. https://www.cityofboise.org/media/7053/shaping-boise-landmarks.pdf.

“The Tale of a Big Store.” The Idaho Daily Statesman. January 9, 1910. Page 4.