On April 12th, 2008 I decided to take some pictures in the downtown area of Mountain Home, Idaho. The Bengoechea Building attracted me almost immediately. This big building on North 2nd Street West was built in 1910 by Jose Bengoechea, a rich and successful entrepreneur who made his fortune in the sheep industry. Back in the 1920’s and 1930’s this building a one of the finest hotel in the western US.
Click the photo for a larger picture.
While the Bengoechea building has undergone some changes during the last 98 years, hopefully the new owners will be able to follow through on their planned renovation of this grand old landmark. In 2007 Mirazim Shakoori bought the Bengoechea building with hopes of turning it back into a hotel and retail space.
A 1988 photo when it was called the Towne Square Mall.