326 Main Street

Commercial Trust Building        Built 1905

Designed by Lewiston architect Ralph Loring for Wendell P. Hurlbut, it housed Hurlbut’s Commercial Trust Company bank until 1912. The building’s unique classical façade, topped by a balustrade, has three massive red granite columns from Ortonville, Minnesota, and a coffered, curved wood storefront on the first floor and Ionic pilasters and round-arched openings on its second story. 

The front contains about 600 pieces of granite that required five months for a large workforce to prepare for installation. Oak and mahogany finishings were provided by a former Lewiston mill, Valley Lumber Company’s dry kilns.

Ralph Loring 1906

Wendell Hurlbut 1902

Wendell Hurlbut 1905

Empire National Bank circa 1920

Frank Booth

The Historic Preservation Commission would like to recognize and thank Dr. Steven Branting and the Nez Perce County Historical Society and Museum for the access to and contributions from their extensive archives for this project. Special thanks go to Commissioner Leah Boots for her countless hours of work to make this project a reality.

       This project is supported in part by the Idaho State Historical Society.