The south section, which for many years housed City Hall, was built in 1909. The north section, once the city fire station, was built between 1918 and 1928. This simple commercial style is suggestive of Renaissance Revival. Many of its original brick features remain, along with the window and storefront designs. The building was designed by Ralph Loring of Lewiston and the architectural firm of John E. Tourtellotte and Company, which also designed the State Capitol in Boise and the administration building at the University of Idaho. The police station was on the ground floor of the south section and the City Council Chamber was on the second. The notorious "drunk tank" in the basement was closed by the Board of Health in the mid-sixties. The building was gradually abandoned by the city. The Fire Department headquarters moved out in 1964, the city moved its offices out in 1972, and the Police Department left in 1981.
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