The Original Architects

John E. Tourtellotte

Born in 1869 in East Thompson, Connecticut, he went to Webster, Massachusetts as a 17-year-old apprentice with Cutting & Bishop, where he was introduced to public building construction. He moved to Boise in 1890 and worked as a contracting architect. Commissions grew rapidly, and he formed the J.E. Tourtellotte & Company in 1903. The firm would design numerous Boise buildings – Lincoln School (1896), Washington School (1899), Park School (1903) St. Theresa’s Academy (1903); Boise’s Carnegie Library (1904); Boise’s Union Block (commercial space, 1900-01); and St. John’s Cathedral (1904-1921). He also designed the Shoshone and Mackay Episcopal churches (1902). Tourtellotte moved to Portland, Oregon, listed there in the census of 1930, and he died in 1939.

Charles F. Hummel

Born in Germany and receiving his architectural training in Stuttgart, he worked in Switzerland as a civil engineer before coming to the United States in 1885. He came to Boise in 1895, when he was 38 years old. He joined the Tourtellotte firm in 1903, and worked closely with Tourtellotte on the design and building of the Idaho Capitol. He is credited with bringing both architectural training and engineering expertise to the Capitol’s design. His down-to-earth approach complimented Tourtellotte’s more visionary approach to the original Capitol design. The local firm was paid $10,000 for the original 38-page design. Hummel’s two sons, Frederick C. and Frank K., joined the firm in 1909 and 1916, and Hummel Architects, PLLC remains today as a Boise firm.

Photos courtesy: Idaho State Historical Society