The Old Idaho Penitentiary is one of Boise’s most unique tourist attractions due to its fascinating history and reputation as one of Idaho’s most haunted locations. While the thousands of inmates that once lived within the prison’s walls provide us with many unique stories, the site that was in operation for 101 years is rich in architectural history as well. John E. Tourtellotte, co-founder of Hummel Architects, designed several of the prison’s buildings in the earlier decades of its operation, all of which are still standing today.

In 1899, Tourtellotte designed a new cell house for the prison with the goal of increasing the prison’s inmate capacity at a low cost with the utilization of inmate labor and locally sourced material. In 1909, the prison abandoned the construction of this large cell house due to the south wing’s poor ventilation, making it unhealthy to house prisoners. However, the prison utilized the shell of the original cell house in the construction of two new cell houses, #2 House (1911) and #3 House (1928). Its exterior, designed by Tourtellotte in the Italian Renaissance style using rusticated sandstone quarried from Table Rock, can still be seen today.

The Women’s Ward is another notable building Tourtellotte designed for the Idaho State Penitentiary. Like the 1899 cell house, the construction of this building utilized inmate labor and locally sourced material. After its completion in 1920, this ward had the capability to house fourteen female inmates in its seven cells and became the first inmate living quarters to utilize running water.

Other buildings designed by Tourtellotte include the 1901 Warden’s House constructed of rusticated sandstone, the 1911 Horse Barn, the 1920 Dairy Barn, the 1923 Shirt Factory, and #3 House (originally the south wing of the 1899 cell house).

Images Courtesy and Property of the Idaho State Historical Society.