In a state known for its rugged landscapes and rapidly changing skylines, preservation can often feel like a race against time. But thanks to the efforts of Idaho’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), five more threads of the state’s rich historical tapestry have just been officially recognized. These newly listed sites—spanning quiet rural schools, a modernist Boise home, and a steel bridge connecting two counties—were recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, a national program that protects places of historical and cultural value.
Each listing tells a different story about who we are and how our communities evolved.
Modern Lines, Lasting Legacy
In Boise, the 1961 Brookover House stands as a bold architectural statement, blending Modernist innovation with Japanese influences. Designed by Grider & La Marche, the home once belonged to J. Gordon and Barbara Brookover, whose retail clothing business helped shape the region’s mid-century fashion scene.
A Schoolhouse Built to Grow
Just a couple of hours away, the Hammett School in Elmore County reflects a time when educational design considered both expansion and innovation. Built in 1911, it included advancements in lighting and safety—remarkable for its setting and era. Today, it continues to serve the community as a private residence.
Learning Through Change
In Idaho County, the former Riggins High School, completed in 1940, has worn many hats—from high school to elementary classrooms to community space. Its continued use underscores the flexibility of rural architecture in meeting shifting local needs.
Bridging Time and Terrain
Completed in 1908, the Sperry Bridge connects Latah and Nez Perce counties across the Potlatch River. As the oldest surviving pin-connected vehicular steel truss bridge in northern Idaho, it’s more than a feat of engineering—it’s a steel-bound link to early 20th-century infrastructure.
Colonial Revival on the Prairie
Near Weiser, the 1923 Sunnyside School—designed in the Colonial Revival style—offered education in both form and function until 1969. Today, the building is home to a private preschool, continuing its educational legacy.
What ties all five together isn’t just age—it’s integrity, utility, and the stories etched into their walls, beams, and foundations.
And more stories are on the way. SHPO anticipates a record year in 2025, with 13 additional nominations under review. As Idaho continues to grow and evolve, recognizing what’s worth preserving may be one of our most meaningful investments in the future.
To explore these listings and learn more, visit History.Idaho.gov