Idaho State Building
Architect: Kirtland Cutter, Spokane, Washington
Area: 4,090
Cost: $28,000
Picturesque World’s Fair, An Elaborate Collection of Colored Views—Published with the Endorsement and Approval of George R. Davis, 1894
THE IDAHO BUILDING.—So attractive and so striking in appearance was the building erected in the Exposition grounds by the Territory of Idaho that before the Fair closed it was sold to an English club to be transported across the ocean and re-erected as a shooting box. The structure reminded one of a Swiss chalet, but was intended in its style and composition to indicate the varied resources of the young territory All the material was from Idaho, and so were all the ornaments. The building was erected on a foundation of basaltic rock and lava, and was practically a three-story cedar log cabin, the logs being stripped and stained to give the effect of age. “Idaho” appeared everywhere, not in words, save upon the shield outside, which bore the legend, “Idaho, the Gem of the Mountains,” but in the interior display. Idaho is the great producer of mica, and there was a mica hall in the edifice lined with sheets as clear as water. There was a great display of onyx. Sapphires are found in Idaho, and some valuable ones were shown. Beautiful agates and wonderful petrified woods were shown in profusion. The costly metal palladium was a feature, as was also a curious pink and green stone which cuts glass better than a diamond, so close and hard of quality it is. There were the fire opals of high grade and other treasures of the earth in abundance. Dried fruits, indicative of the climatic advantages of Idaho, formed a part of the display, and there were Indian weapons and fishing tackle and articles of apparel. The interior of the structure was of a nature to “boom” the gallant territory amazingly.
Designed by architect Kirtland Cutter for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, the Idaho Building was a rustic-design log construction and cost $15,000. It was a popular favorite, visited by an estimated 18 million people. The building’s design and interior furnishings were a major precursor of the Arts and Crafts movement.
The structure stood on the extreme north line of Jackson Park, over a mile and a half from the Forestry Building, which it recalled. It was built entirely of native materials consisting of a log house on a foundation or basement of lava and basaltic rock. The timbers were from young cedar trees, stuffed and stained to reproduce the effects of age. Millions of logs upheld a projecting roof.
The shakes on the roof were held in place with heavy rocks and withstood the great Chicago gales. The arched stone entrance seen in the picture opened into a large room, at the end of which was a stick fireplace with a log mantel. Stairways led to the second floor, where the windows were glazed with mica. This floor had divided accommodations for men and women. Each room was decorated with a view of recalling mining scenes to the experienced persons who should enter. The men’s fireplace was made of lava rock, and the andirons were made of bear traps and fish spears, while arrows, spears, tomahawks, and other Native American implements were typified in the furniture.
It was later purchased to be used as a summer residence near a Northern resort.
Idaho State Building
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