This article attempts to list the oldest extant buildings surviving in the state of Idaho in the United States of America, including the oldest houses and any surviving structures. Some dates may be approximate and based upon dendochronology, architectural studies, and historical records. Idaho became a territory in 1863, though few structures survive from before this time. All entries should include a citation. To be on this list the building should either have been built before 1890, or be the oldest building of its kind in Idaho.
Building | Image | Location | Completed | Use | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cataldo Mission | Cataldo | 1853 [1] | Jesuit Mission | Started construction in 1850, built with help from Native Americans using wattle and daub method, using no nails. | |
Pierce Courthouse | Pierce | 1862 [2] | Courthouse | Oldest public building in Idaho, used until 1885 when county seat moved to Murray. | |
John A. O'Farrell Cabin | Boise | 1863 [3] | House | Considered first family home in Boise. | |
Fort Boise Officers Quarters | Boise | 1864 [4] | Officers Quarters | Oldest surviving building of Fort Boise. | |
Fort Boise Surgeons Quarters | Boise | 1864 [5] | Officers Quarters | Includes an 1880 brick add-on. | |
Cyrus Jacobs House | Boise | 1864 [6] | House | Oldest surviving brick building in Boise | |
Rock Creek Store | Rock Creek | 1865 [7] | Store | Built for the Rock Creek stage stop, which was the largest stage stop between Fort Hall and Fort Boise. | |
Christ Chapel | Boise | 1866 [8] | Church | Moved to the campus of Boise State University, now used as a chapel for wedding services. | |
Thomas E. Logan House | Boise | c. 1868 [9] | House | Now located at the Idaho History Museum | |
First Presbyterian Church | Kamiah | 1871 [10] | Church | Built on land belonging to Nez Perce tribe. | |
Assay Office | Boise | 1871 [11] | Assay Office | Built because of a large demand for an Assay Office in Idaho, as mining was a large part of Idaho's industry. | |
Lorenzo Hill Hatch House | Franklin | 1872 [12] | House | Built-in Franklin, Idaho's oldest incorporated town. | |
St. Joseph's Mission | Slickpoo | 1874 [13] | Mission | Closed in 1958 but well preserved with interpretive signs. | |
Joseph Bown House | Boise | 1879 | House | ||
Fort Sherman Chapel | Coeur d'Alene | 1880 [14] | Church | Oldest building in the city of Coeur d'Alene | |
W. H. Watt Building | Hailey | 1882 [15] | Storefront | Today is a jewelry store. | |
Blaine County Courthouse | Hailey | 1883 [16] | Courthouse | Originally made for Alturas County. | |
Fort Lapwai Officers Quarters | Lapwai | 1883 [17] | Officers Quarters | Last surviving building from Fort Lapwai, used during the Nez Perce War | |
Cordelia Lutheran Church | Lenville | 1883 [18] | Church | Oldest Lutheran building in the state of Idaho. | |
Fort Sherman Powder Magazine | Coeur d'Alene | 1885 [19] | Powder Magazine | One of only three remaining structures from Fort Sherman. |
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