When the Idaho Building opened, journalist Blaine Phillips wrote, "The building is sublimely beautiful, the vivid colors which have been applied in perfect harmony with the surroundings, serving ably to accentuate the picturesqueness and uniqueness of the construction.

The building included offices, a breakfast room, a kitchen, and two second floor apartments.

[3][4] The Washington Times described the building as "of a style peculiar to inter-mountain countries,"[5] and the Deseret Evening News said it was "in a form somewhat resembling a Swiss Chalet.

[8][9] Thousands of educational pieces were displayed, including photographs, paintings, drawings, bound volumes, and weaving.

[12] Near the end of October, 1905, the Idaho Building was purchased by Paul Wessinger, who planned to remodel it into a clubhouse.