Construction on the Boise Capitol Building began in 1905 and ended in 1912. It was designed by John E. Tourtellotte who was from Connecticut and was only 21 years old. In 1919 work on the east and west wings began and was finished only one year later.
The main architectural style of the building is Renaissance Revival but also includes many Greek features. The most recognizable feature of the Capitol Building is the dome. The type of dome is called a Terra Cotta. On top of the dome is a 5 foot 7 inch bronze eagle that represents Idaho’s aspirations as a state and allegiance to the larger democracy.The Boise Capitol Building is the only capitol building in the country to use geothermal heating and the water source for this is 3,000 feet underground. Inside there are over 50,000 square feet of artistically carved marble which came from Alaska, Georgia, Vermont, and Italy. Currently the Capitol building is under renovation to add more room on the east and west wings.