A Walk through Time - Preservation Idaho

A Walk through Time: Discovering
Downtown Nampa
10:30 – 11:30
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Introduction and background about Nampa
Nampa’s early roots, like those of many southwest Idaho towns, are tied to the
advent of the railroad and the development of large-scale irrigation projects.
In October 1883, the Oregon Short Line Railway, a subsidiary of the Union
Pacific, laid track from Granger, Wyoming to Huntington, Oregon. The railroad
placed water tank and pump house at the present site of Nampa.
Two years later, in 1885, Alexander and Hannah Duffes homesteaded 160 acres
bisected by the tracks. The same year, James A. McGee and James M. Stewart
arrived in Ada County. The two men established the Phyllis Canal Company,
acting as agents for a Philadelphia company seeking investment opportunities in
Idaho. The Phyllis Company’s goal was to construct a canal to deliver irrigation
water to the lower part of the Boise valley. When McGee and Stewart ran out
of money in early 1887, they tried unsuccessfully to raise money from eastern
backers. The partially completed canal was sold to the Idaho Mining and
Irrigation Company. In 1888 McGee, Stewart and a new partner, homesteader
Alexander Duffes, formed the Nampa Land and Improvement Company. The
company developed the Nampa Town site and promoted irrigation projects
essential to support settlement of surrounding lands.
By 1890, 250 residents and 29 businesses to the new town. The promise of
irrigation brought many emigrants to homestead the land surrounding Nampa.
Irrigation water arrived in Nampa and surrounding areas in 1890 through the
Phyllis Canal. In 1891 the extension of the Ridenbaugh Canal from Boise was
completed. Jefferson M. Waterhouse, another early resident, platted the
Waterhouse Addition shortly after. These early subdivisions included the area
south of the tracks near the town’s commercial core.
By 1900, ten passenger trains a day were coming through Nampa. The population
had grown to over 800 residents.
Our walk will take you through the Nampa Historic District along First Street
South between Twelfth and Fourteenth avenues.
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting Early view of Nampa
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting Nampa Depot
The building constructed in 1903 was designed by F.W. Clarke
of Omaha. Local contractors were C.J. Humphis and J.M.Bray.
Nampa was known as “Junction City” as it was the point on the
Oregon Short line of the Idaho Northern and the Boise, Nampa,
and Owyhee railroads. At the time it was built the Union
Pacific announced it was ‘the finest depot on the line”.
The depot is constructed of pressed brick and sandstone. It is
a combination of Romanesque, Renaissance, and Baroque
elements. It has a massive central block flanked by two
advancing Baroque bays. Note the ornate finials that accent
the bays and roof. Listed on the NRHP in 1972.
TOUR STOP 1
10 12 th Avenue South (Tiny’s Cocktails)
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting Brick, stepped roof. This building is eligible for inclusion on the National
Register of Historic Places. It has original windows and doors. Note the use of
multi-colored brick, details in the façade.
J.M. Bray Block 1909
Longbranch Station
The J.M Bray building constructed in 1909. Bray was a member of the city
council. He led the movement to pave downtown streets.
TOUR STOP 2
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting Pete’s Tavern, City Offices
Commercial buildings
The older commercial buildings are generally one or two-part commercial
blocks. A one part commercial block is a one story building with one or more
storefronts-the façade consists of large plate glass windows with window
supports, sometimes decorative columns, often thin metal supports, and an entry
which may or may not be recessed. Tiny’s Cocktails is an example.
A two-part commercial block combines a lower floor used for retain with an
upper floor used as offices, lodging, or sometimes as meeting rooms for a
fraternal organization. The two-part commercial block was the most common
commercial building structure in the commercial core. Pete’s Tavern and the
Bray Block are examples of a two-part commercial block.
We will continue down the block to the intersection of 12th Avenue South and 1st
Street South. Turn right (east) on the corner.
TOUR STOP 3
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting 1202 1st Street South
Nampa State Bank
The July 4, 1909 fire wiped out the entire business block bounded by Twelfth
and Thirteenth avenues and Front and First Street. This building was
constructed after the devastating fire. The new building was constructed of
brick, concrete and steel and was installed with an up to date water system for
fire protection. Inside featured marble counters and wainscoting and three
vaults.
TOUR STOP 4
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting From Idaho Statesman
July 4, 1909
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting Nampa Historic District
The following buildings are part of the Nampa Historic District which includes
the 100 and 1200 blocks of First Street South. The District was designated in
1983.
1224 1st Street C. Meister Building
Rebuilt after the 1909 fire. It is a two-part commercial block building with a
flat roof. It has a pink-brick façade. Note the stone sills, molded pressed iron
windows heads with fleurs-de-lis and other floral motifs. The cornice is
pressed iron shaped with molding and floral motifs. Charles Meister sold
retail hardware.
TOUR STOP 5
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting 1224 S. 1st Street. W.Hardiman Building.
This is a two-story, flat-roofed brick two part commercial building. It has one
over one double hung windows on the second story. Note the keystones above
the windows. It features a dentilated cornice. Above the cornice is Hardiman’s
name on the concrete block. The storefront has been altered.
The lower floor originally housed a drugstore and the second story was
designed as a photograph studio for local photographer Lee Jellum.
TOUR STOP 6
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting E.R. Brace Building
This two-story building has a façade of buff-colored brick, a flat roof and
simple detailing. The cornice is formed of outset brick courses with
denticulations and keystoned flat arches of stone. E.R. Brace was an insurance
agent and businessman. This building housed business on the first floor and
offices on the second.
TOUR STOP 7
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting The Blue Eye Building
1909 Fred Mock
This building has stylistic features that include brickwork above the second
story windows forming an outset cornice and inset panels. The building has had
some alterations. Many businesses were located on the first floor of the
building. The second floor was built as a dance floor. The ceiling was built on
trusses so that the dance floor was unobstructed by pillars or posts.
Fred G. Mock was a longtime Nampa resident. He was president of the Bank of
Nampa, at one time owned the Nampa newspaper and authored a book published in
1905—called ‘Blue Eye,” a story of the people of the plains.” Blue Eye is the
female heroine in the book.
TOUR STOP 8
*****Stop at corner of 1st Street South and 13th Avenue.
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting 1221 1st Street South
Dewey Building
This building was constructed in 1909. The building has a flat roof and orange
and buff brick walls. The original windows have been replaced but retain the
original stone sills and keystoned flat arches. Above the windows is a molded
pressed –iron cornice with scrolled medallions.
TOUR STOP 9
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting 1307 1st Street South
Nampa Department Store
This building was designed by Tourtellote and Hummel in 1910. It is a two-story
brick-masonry building with a flat roof and concrete foundation. It has buff
colored walls and alternating bricks. The Nampa Department Store was
financed by the Falk Mercantile Company of Boise with E.H. Dewey and other
Nampa business men as stock holders.
1309 1st Street South
Commercial Building
This building was owned by H.C. Hickey. When it was first constructed it housed
the Nampa post office and the club rooms of the Chamber of Commerce. The
Chamber offices included a reading room, a secretary’s room and card and
billiard room. The two-story building is brick veneer, with a flat roof, and
concrete foundation. The storefront has been altered, but the arches and the
decorative brickwork is still evident on the building.
TOUR STOP 10
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting In 2006, the City of Nampa initiated a program to partially fund the renovation
and rehabilitation of historic buildings in the city’s core. Financed by the
federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, this program offers up
to 50 percent of the cost of renovation of historic structures for projects
meeting the program’s requirements. Typical projects have ranged in cost
between $60,000 and $120,000. So far, seven projects have been completed and
with the support of the city, more are possible. In combination with Nampa’s
plans for downtown construction projects, these grants are bringing the
downtown core back to life.
Photo courtesy of John Aguirre
Continue east past Lloyd Lumber and cross street to
Nampa Meridian Irrigation District.
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting The Nampa and Meridian Irrigation Office
Part of the Tourtellotte and Hummel Architecture in Idaho
Thematic Historic District
A single-story, flat-roofed brick structure, constructed in
1909. It is a classically inspired commercial building. It is
unique for a downtown structure has it was designed to stand
free on its corner lot, rather than to join walls with another
existing or projected building.
The building is also important as a symbol of irrigation—one of
the major reasons that the Treasure Valley grew. It still
houses the NMID which was organized in 1904 and oversees the
Ridenbaugh canal and other irrigation canals and laterals.
Tour Stop 11
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting American Legion Hall
Tourtellotte and Hummel Thematic Historic Group
The Nampa American Legion building was constructed in 1931
and designed by Frederick Hummel. According to the National
Register nomination form it is significant as one of the extant
examples of the work the firm did in designing American Legion
halls in Idaho.
The building was designed with a lobby in the tower, a legion
hall in the large wing, and room for the legion auxiliary in the
right wing. A dining room and kitchen were designed in the
basement.
Frederick Hummel was active in the Idaho National Guard. He
enlisted in 1912, was at the Mexican border in 1916 and was in
France in 1917 during WWI. He was a colonel of the 116 th
Engineers and was a brigadier general of the Idaho Guard when
he retired from it in1941.
TOUR STOP 12
TAKE A BREAK—CHECK HOW EVERYONE IS DOING AND HEAD ON.
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting 205 15TH Avenue South
Nampa Presbyterian Church
Tourtellotte and Hummel Architecture in Idaho
1918
The Nampa Presbyterian Church was designed in the Gothic Revival style
as an addition to the smaller, gable-roofed, cast stone block section
standing at the rear. It is two stories and has tall parapet gables with
corner buttresses facing both sides and the front. There is a large
Gothic window facing 15th Avenue.
It is interesting to note the mix of styles designed by the firm on this
short walk through Nampa. The town, only 20 miles from Boise, presented
architectural opportunities throughout the history of the firm.
Tour Stop 13
Continue west on 2nd Street. At the Flying M check and see if anyone
needs coffee or something to drink. Continue up the street. Hoof it to
the intersection of 11th Avenue South and 2nd Street.
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting 1207 -1211 2nd Street
Just want to point out the Odd Fellows Temple Building
CROSS THE STREET BACK TO CORNER OF 12TH AVENUE SOUTH
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting The Dewey Palace
At this corner was the Dewey Palace. Colonel William H. Dewey, a wealthy
mining investor from Silver City built the Boise, Nampa & Owyhee Railroad, from
Nampa to Murphy, and promoted another line from Nampa to Emmett and
eventually to Lakeport (McCall). With Nampa now a junction for four railroads,
Colonel Dewey built the Dewey Palace Hotel. When it was completed the Dewey
Palace was acclaimed as one of the finest hotels in the West. The grand opening was held in February, 1903 with a huge fanfare. Guests came
from all over the state to attend. In its prime the 81-rooom Dewey Palace with
verandas and cupolas was known as the show place of Nampa. Dewey died four
months after the grand opening. The hotel was demolished in 1963.
Go to back of building
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting Washington Federal Savings and Loan
Built in 1962 for Provident Federal
The Bank Building & Equipment Corporation's architect William F. Cann
designed an eye-catching, small round building for Nampa, Idaho. A clean
design of two-stories begins with a grid of dark tinted windows rising up
to a flat, round, deeply cantilevered roof. The roof is supported by thin,
concrete support arms in an upside-down L shape that stand at a slight
separation from the building. A tall concrete post at the corner hoists
the new bank's sign prominently above the hovering roofline.
The Bank Building & Equipment Corporation had completed a signature
round design for the Catholic Chancery in St. Louis, Missouri only one
year before. That design by W.A. Sarmiento was likely the predecessor to
this bank, though it was more intricate in details and used a different
quality of materials. However, the structural support arms on this bank
building are seen on later structures as well, though in slightly
different forms, such as the cantilevered roof of the National Bank of
Commerce in Columbus, Mississippi. This bank building was also the likely
predecessor to the more refined design seen in San Jose, California for
the First National Bank in 1963.
Research credit: Elizabeth Jacox
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting Thanks to Preservation Idaho (Paula Benson and Maria Walker)
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting Sources
Bird, Annie Laurie. My Home Town. (Caldwell, Idaho: Caxton Printers,
1968).
Clark, Lynda Campbell. Nampa, Idaho, 1885-1985: A Journey of Discovery.
(Nampa: Nampa Centennial Committee, 1985)
Holm, Debra Nelson, et al. Nampa’s People, 1886-1986: Discovering Our
Heritage. (Nampa: Nampa Centennial Committee, 1986).
Howe, Jeffery. Houses of Worship: An Identification Guide to the History
and Style of American Religious Architecture. (San Diego: Thunder Bay
Press, 2003)
Longstreth, Richard. The Buildings of Main Street: A Guide to American
Commercial Architecture. (Washington, D.C.: Preservation Press, 1987)
McAlester, Virginia and Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses (New York:
Alfred Knopf, 1984).
Polk’s City Directory, Nampa 1945.
Architectural index, vertical file, and other resources, PARL, Boise,
Idaho.
National Register of Historic Places Nomination, Nampa Historic District,
prepared by Jennifer Eastman Attebery, 1983, on file at the State
Historic Preservation Office, Boise, Idaho.
“Nampa Preservation Plan for the
Commission,” by Donna Hartmans, 2007.
Nampa
Historic
TAG Historical Research and Consulting/abn The Arrowrock Group, Inc. Not to be reproduced without permission of TAG Historical Research and Consulting Preservation