Government buildings are often unimaginative cubes designed with little thought of beauty. Yet, much of Idaho’s most interesting architecture can be found in government buildings. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was responsible for funding seven county courthouses in Idaho, all within the Art Deco style. Art Deco came into vogue in the US and Europe in the 1920s. The style found its way into architecture, as well as furniture, jewelry, cars, fashion, and everyday objects such as radios. It was a modern style that often infused functional objects from buildings to vacuum cleaners with artistic touches.
The following were all built using WPA funding. All are Art Deco, and all are also on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Boundary County Courthouse in Bonners Ferry was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1941. National Register of Historic Places.
The brick Cassia County Courthouse in Burley was built in 1939.
The Franklin County Courthouse in Preston was built in 1939. Hyrum Pope, of Salt Lake City, was the architect. Pope died of a heart attack while on-site inspecting construction of the building.
The Gem County Courthouse in Emmett was designed by Frank Hummel of the Boise firm Tourtellotte and Hummel, and was built in 1938.
The Jefferson County Courthouse in Rigby was built in 1938. Idaho Falls architects Sundberg and Sundberg designed it.
The Jerome County Courthouse in Jerome was built in 1939.
The Oneida County Courthouse in Malad was built in 1938 from plans drawn up by Sundberg and Sundberg.
The Washington County Courthouse in Weiser was designed by Tourtellotte and Hummel, and was built in 1939.
The following were all built using WPA funding. All are Art Deco, and all are also on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Boundary County Courthouse in Bonners Ferry was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1941. National Register of Historic Places.
The brick Cassia County Courthouse in Burley was built in 1939.
The Franklin County Courthouse in Preston was built in 1939. Hyrum Pope, of Salt Lake City, was the architect. Pope died of a heart attack while on-site inspecting construction of the building.
The Gem County Courthouse in Emmett was designed by Frank Hummel of the Boise firm Tourtellotte and Hummel, and was built in 1938.
The Jefferson County Courthouse in Rigby was built in 1938. Idaho Falls architects Sundberg and Sundberg designed it.
The Jerome County Courthouse in Jerome was built in 1939.
The Oneida County Courthouse in Malad was built in 1938 from plans drawn up by Sundberg and Sundberg.
The Washington County Courthouse in Weiser was designed by Tourtellotte and Hummel, and was built in 1939.
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