The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1905-09-14

IN recent iHt6tNiEN ih NhS L~"
iston Tribune, j. z. Tourtelotte, OF
Boise, a member Of the firm having
prepared the plans which were adopt
ed for the new state building. said:
"The capitol building will be locat-
ed on two blocks Of ground In the
heart OF Boise, at the old capitol site.
The capitol is $50 feet 10 length over
all, by 30 feet In width over all, the
above figures including the steps.
The building will be four stories in
height, with grand, imposing and
monumental portico one story higher,
to emphasize the main entrance. |
There will be a basement under the /
entire structure. The grade story Is
strictly an Office story, with four en-
frances from the four points OF the |
compass. The said story In addition |
to Offices will contain large and well |
equipped arn.ory. historical room and |
large and we'll lighted room for a
permanent exhibit Of the resources OF
Idaho. The story above this Is the
principal or executive floor. On this
floor will be situated the suites OF
the governor, attorney general, treas
urer. auditor, superintendent of pub
lie instruction, supreme court room,
clerk of court and judges chamber.
This story will have four entrances
from the four side streets, with broad
granite steps leading up thereto, the
main entrance steps being so feet
wide at the bottom. The third, or
legislative floor, will contain the
house of representatives and the sem
ate chamber. For the use Of the
house and senate and convenient
thereto are the coat rooms, commit
tee rooms, clerks rooms, etc.
"The house and senate are semi
circular In shape and are located In
the extreme ends of the building,
and are 6Ox45 aud 60x3s feet respect
lively. The house has capacity OF
$50 members and the senate a capac.
ity of 60 members. The ceiling por-
ton of the rooms being circular af-
fords an ideal balcony on one side OF
each cha for the use of interest
ed spectators, there being no columns
between the spectators and floor OF
the chamber. The senate is Enclosed
with a colorado OF Corinthian col
umns and entablature. The fourth,
or balcony floor, will be fitted up ex-
clusively for the entertainment ana
; use of the public and guests of the
! house and senate.
"The exterior will be built of
local sandstone, quarried within two
miles of the capitol site by convicts,
thus saving the state this, one OF the
principal items of cost in fine str,ct,
ures Of this kind. This sandstone Is
! considered to be the finest In the
& United States by experts. The main
{ entrance is grand and imposing, will
columns "A feet i'm height, support
: ing the upper portion of the portico
Z From the portico you enter an ele
) CANT vestibule, from which you are
{ ushered into one OF the loftiest rotun
Z das In the country. This rotunda Ii
) inclosed with huge Corinthian col
{ umns six feet in diameter and 60 fee
Z in length, which support the uppe
) portion of the dome. 1t will be l5'
{ feet from the floor OF the rotunda t.
I the ceiling of the same.
) "The dome Is of elegant desigl
{ and is about 200 feet in height. Al
I of the building will be Of cut stone
) rooted with asphalt for the mai
part, while the dome will be covere
:. with copper, which in turn will b
covered with gold leaf. The build
Z ing will be absolutely fireproc
. throughout. The floors, wainscol
: ing, staircase, columns. capitals an
: all interior work of an ornament;
: type will be of Italian marble. an
3 the doors and what little woodwor
4 Is absolutely necessary will be of mi
z bogany."
Idaho will have the distinction {
Z having the finest capitol In the Ell
. tire Pacific northwest. Montana b;
= to date the newest and most expei
4 sive of capitols OF the Pacific nortl
: west, but her capitol was erected |
: total appropriation OF land ar
Z money at a cost Of about $3.50, 90
. Idaho, with building estimated
: be worths 100, 900. will not be trou
4 led for lack OF funds, this amour
9 ranking fifth In the amounts Apr
: priated for the cost Of the capitols
the entire country.