Forney Hall

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Geographic Coordinates: 46.724313, -117.008115

Location: Blake Ave. 1210 Blake Ave (Continuing Ed. Bldg.)

Building Overview

Date: 1923-

Standing: Yes

Name History: Forney Hall; Continuing Education Building

Notes on Naming: Named for Mary E. Forney of Moscow, wife of first acting president of the University, James E. Forney. Forney Hall, Continuing Education Building

Architect: Whitehouse & Price (Spokane)

Architectural Style: Collegiate Gothic

Description: Three story reinforced concrete, mission brick, gable roof with wooden shingles. Basement and sub-basement, collegiate Gothic style, 65' x 140'

Additions: Remodeled in 1971 with University offices on ground floor and students apartments on upper floors

Use History: Women's dormitory for 120 women, currently used for offices, institutes and guest residence center

Cost: $100,000. $100,000 (Financed by U of I Building Association composed of Moscow business men and leased to U of I. Indebtedness later paid off.

Sources: Cards

History

Forney Hall was constructed in 1923–1924 as a women’s dormitory, originally housing 120 students. It served in that role for nearly 40 years before being remodeled in 1971 to accommodate university office spaces, reflecting a shift in student housing to larger complexes on the northwest side of campus. Forney Hall was followed closely by Hays Hall, forming a shared courtyard and cohesive architectural complex. Today, Forney Hall contains a testing center, administrative offices, academic institutes, and a guest residence facility. The building is named for Mary E. Forney, a respected figure in the Moscow community and wife of Judge James H. Forney, a university regent and its first acting president.¹

Design

Forney Hall exhibits the Collegiate Gothic style seen across campus. Its architectural character includes a main arched doorway, brick exterior, and gabled roof. A striking brick entrance tower crowned with a light well accentuates the façade. The entrance tower is visually balanced by two chimneys to the south, reinforcing the stately and symmetrical design of the structure.²

Physical Description

The brick building rests on a reinforced concrete foundation over a basement and sub-basement. The front-facing gabled roof is clad with wood shingles. Forney hall features a mix of original and updated windows and doors. ³

Mary E. Forney

Mary Emma (Belknap) Forney was a prominent figure in Moscow’s social and civic life and played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Moscow Public Library, securing funding through correspondence with Andrew Carnegie. After marrying James H. Forney and moving to Moscow, she became involved in community development and supported the university’s growth. Her contributions reflect a lasting legacy in both the city and the University of Idaho.⁴

Notes

Nathan J. Moody, “National Register of Historic Places—Registration Form: The University of Idaho Historic District,” initial submission to Idaho SHPO, unpublished, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, May 7, 2025, 20, 21. ↩
Ibid. ↩
Ibid. ↩
Forney, Mary E. Belknap. “History of the Public Library” manuscript, circa 1927. MG 5004. University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives, Moscow, ID, https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv458557. ↩