It was Memorial Day, a holiday here in Idaho, and the Boise County Courthouse was closed for tours and business. So, we were not able to see the interiors of most of the buildings that still stand from the 19th century.
Although Idaho City is a tiny town, it is the county seat of Boise County and is the sight of most of the county business that goes on. Some of the old buildings in Idaho City are still active places of business, and the Boise County Courthouse is one example.
The Boise County Courthouse was built in 1871 with brick and iron. At first, the building was a general store then a hardware store. It was known as the Orchard Hotel until 1909 when the original courthouse on Montgomery Street was falling apart by then. So the county bought the Orchard Hotel and turned it into the current Boise County Courthouse.
The Boise County Courthouse is open Monday to Friday from 8 to 12 and 1 to 5 (closed for the lunch hour between 12 and 1). When the courthouse is open for business, you can go inside during sessions to tour around, but please be quiet so not to disturb the goings on in the courtroom and offices.