H. A. Schmelzel House

Henry A. Schmelzel was an electrician employed by the Capital Electric Light Company from 1888 until 1908, and his last years with the company were spent as superintendent of the power plant at Horseshoe Bend. While the Schmelzels continued to live outside of Boise, Elizabeth (McGee) Schmelzel purchased property for the H.A. Schmelzel House from William Myers in 1904, and she ordered design plans from Tourtellotte & Co. in 1906. Although the H.A. Schmelzel House was constructed for the Schmelzels, it was rented to Mr. and Mrs. William Puckett until the Schmelzels moved from Horseshoe Bend in 1908. After retiring from Capital Electric Light, Henry Schmelzel became Boise's first building inspector in 1908. While inspecting the Dime Theatre, Schmelzel became interested in movie theaters, and he opened the Boise Theatre in December, 1908, with partner C.C. Pyle. In 1921 the Schmelzels became caretakers of Boise Tourist Park, constructed in 1918. ==See also==