Hummel Makes Generous Donation to Idaho State Archives
Hummel Architects has generously donated its extensive archives to the Idaho State Archives, comprising architectural plans, drawings, and renderings of over 3,400 projects spanning 128 years. Notable inclusions are plans for iconic structures like the Egyptian Theatre and Boise State University buildings, dating back to 1896 with the original blueprint for Lincoln School. Recognizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage, Hummel Architects underscores its commitment to community engagement and historical preservation. The Idaho State Archives, renowned for its role in safeguarding Idaho’s history, will now serve as the custodian of this significant collection, further enhancing its status as the premier resource for researching Idaho’s architectural legacy.
Cecil Jones’ Architectural Renderings
A look back at the art of architectural renderings from Cecil Jones from the 1930s. These five illustrations were created to provide clients, stakeholders, and donors a look at a proposed or conceptual building yet to be built. The internal draftsmen of Tourtellotte & Hummel would design the buildings and then hire outside illustrators to develop a conceptual drawing of the project.
Old Idaho Penitentiary & Hummel
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.
Tourtellotte, the building, not the man
From our Boise office, you can look down and see a whimsically painted yellow building with coral-colored pilasters and a colorful frieze of swags and discs.
Hummel in Weiser
The history of Hummel Architects in Weiser, Idaho spans back to the turn of the last century beginning with Charles Hummel. In 1894, Charles found prospective clients in Weiser after visiting the city, before professionally partnering with John E. Tourtellotte in 1895. (1) Through this connection, Tourtellotte & Hummel (under various names) continued to design many properties in Weiser that represent various architectural periods from the 1890s to the 1930s.
Timothy Regan Residence
Today’s #TBT is a good opportunity to look at the detailed architectural plans hand-drawn in 1905 for the Timothy Regan Residence located at 110 Main Street in downtown Boise. The detail on the construction of the distinctive columns is particularly illuminating. (If the plans look a little tattered, keep in mind they are 117 years old) “This […]
Alexander Building
“Former mayor and governor Moses Alexander erected this “big white store” at the corner of Ninth and Main Streets in 1924 after two terms as governor. The white, terra-cotta surface is weather resistant. The owner traveled east to gather input from professional architects, but Tourtellotte and Hummel’s design included plush exterior fabric materials of imported […]
Harrison Boulevard and Hummel
Harrison Boulevard is traditionally known as the epicenter of Halloween trick or treating in Boise. “The unofficial record for most trick or treaters was set at the May house at over 3,000.” To celebrate this fun Boise North End ritual, we present a few of the Hummel houses on the picturesque boulevard. (Source: Northend.org/north-end-halloween accessed […]
Guernsey Milk Depot
The Guernsey Dairy Milk Depot at 2419 State Street in Boise. Designed by Tourtelotte and Hummel and completed in 1937, it is uniquely Spanish Colonial. Not a unique architectural style for Boise, as seen by the Union Pacific Depot on the bench and the many buildings it inspired. But rather, unique to the architectural styles […]
Falks ID
The Falks ID building, formerly located at the corner of 8th & Main in downtown Boise. Originally built in 1904 by Tourtellotte & Co. for Falk Merchantile Co. By 1954, postwar attitudes about architecture and shopping viewed the turn of the century building as old-fashioned with its bay windows, ornate carvings, and stonework façade. Postwar […]