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Washington County Courthouse

The Washington County Courthouse is an historic governmental building located at 256 East Court in Weiser, Idaho. Designed in the Moderne or Art Deco styles of architecture by architects Tourtellotte and Hummel, it was built in 1939 by contractor J.F. Ulmer. On September 28, 1987, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

It was built to replace the previous courthouse which was destroyed by a February 1938 fire. The Works Progress Administration provided labor and the county provided materials. The WPA laborers were directed by Boise builder J. F. Ulmer. It was substantially completed in fall of 1939 and dedicated on December 1, but the application of a sprayed veneer of paint and fine sand to finish the building was not accomplished until the following spring.

From The Post-Register – Idaho Falls, Idaho – Thu, Feb 17, 1938 – Page 1

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WEISER COURT HOUSE BURNS

Structure Built in 1888 Destroyed; Prisoner Critically Hurt

(Click Image for Enlargement)
Courthouse – 1888

WEISER, Idaho, Feb. 17. The Washington county courthouse, built in 1888, was destroyed by fire of unknown origin Thursday. Roy Handley, a prisoner serving a 60 day term for forgery in the jail in the building, was critically burned.

Handley came here recently from near Billings, Mont., Sheriff Frank V. Kennedy said. Dr. Elizabeth Curtis, who was called to attend him at the hospital here, described his condition as “critical.”

Sheriff Kennedy said Handley, apparently dazed, rushed into a flaming hall when he was released from his cell.

Another prisoner, William Burke of Weiser, serving a short sentence for writing worthless checks, walked through the flames, found Handley on the floor with his clothes aflame and carried him out of the building.

Cost $25,000

The two story brick and wood structure was built at a cost of $25,000 50 years ago.

Fire Chief Pete Durbin said the entire building was in flame when he arrived in the early hours of today.

Records in the offices of County Treasurer George E. Gilderoy were believed destroyed.

Those in the office of Probate Judge Frank Harris, who is one of the four living members of Idaho’s constitutional convention of 1890, were not destroyed, as first reported, sheriff’s officer said.

Others Safe

Other records were believed safe in vaults.

County Commissioners, Joe M. Stover, Roy Brent and J. L. Warren, said the building and contents was insured for $20,000.

They said temporary offices would be set up immediately in a downtown building, and that plans for construction of a new courthouse would be considered at once.

From The Post-Register – Idaho Falls, Idaho – Thu, Feb 17, 1938 – Page 1

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Washington County Courthouse – Weiser

Location: 256 East Court Street / 3rd Street

Built: 1939 – 1940

Style: Art Dec

Architect: Tourtellotte & Hummel of Boise

Contractor: J F Ulmer

Description: The building faces south and is a two story gray colored stone, glass and concrete structure. The rectangular shaped building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Weiser. The building has a raised basement. The entrance is at the center of the south front and is recessed. Above are three large windows with narrow windows on each side of the projecting center section. The other windows are separated by wide dividers. The roof line is flat. The building houses the County District Court and County Magistrate Court of the 3rd Judicial District. The building was constructed by the Work Projects Administration.

See: The architect, Tourtellotte & Hummel of Boise also designed courthouses in Gem County and Owyhee County

See: National Register of Historic Places – Washington County Courthouse.

History: The county was created in 1879 and Weiser was selected as the county seat. The county used rented premises. The first courthouse was a two story structure designed by James King of Boise and built in 1888. The courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1938. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1939 to 1940.

From Courthouses

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Washington County’s Courthouse Dedicated

WEISER (PP)-Washington County dedicated Friday its new $90,000 courthouse.

Speakers included Probate Judge Frank Harris of Weiser, one of the four living members of the Idaho Constitutional Convention; O.K. Hine of Boise, Idaho Works Projects Administration chief; R.L. Nicholson of Denver, regional WPA Administrator, and Senator George Donart, Weiser lawyer, who delivered the dedicatory address. Mayor F. S. Gwilliam presided.

The WPA had charge of construction, which was necessitated by destruction of the old courthouse by fire about a year ago.

From The Idaho Statesman – Boise, Idaho – Sat, Dec 2, 1939 – Page 3

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Click Image for Enlargement (if available)

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If you have questions about this page, want to start or join a discussion about it, or add new information, please visit our Facebook Group, “Weiser Area Memories.”

Also See Weiser Area Fires
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