Pocatello in Bannock County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Utah and the Northern Railway
| | Portneuf Gap-Gittins Cutoff Historic Loop | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2024
1. Utah and the Northern Railway Marker
A narrow-gauge (3 foot-wide) railroad was built through Portneuf Narrows in 1878, headed for rich Montana mines, that were reached in 1880. The stone bridge one-quarter mile south is built on the original railway bridge. This rail line passed through the Idaho State University campus, and along what is now Oak Street in Pocatello. There was a small depot on Pocatello Creek at Alameda Road.
Erected by Portneuf Greenway.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.
Location. 42° 47.791′ N, 112° 19.925′ W. Marker is in Pocatello, Idaho, in Bannock County. It is at the intersection of South 5th Avenue (Old U.S. 91) and West Blackrock Road, on the right when traveling west on South 5th Avenue. The marker is located in a pull-out on the north side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pocatello ID 83204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Idaho’s Bear River Country. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Port of Entry (here, next to this marker); Oregon Short Line & Union Pacific (a few steps from this marker); Why is Portneuf Gap Here? (approx. 0.8 miles away); Gateway to the Pacific Northwest (approx. 0.8 miles away); Copper Mines in the Pocatello Formation (approx. 0.8 miles away); Idaho's 1st Railroad (approx. 3.6 miles away); First School House (approx. 4.4 miles away); Fort Hall (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pocatello.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Portneuf Gap-Gittins Cutoff Historic Loop
Also see . . . Utah and Northern Railway (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The Utah & Northern Railway is a defunct railroad that was operated in the Utah Territory and later in the Idaho Territory and Montana Territory in the western United States during the 1870s and 1880s. It was the first railroad in Idaho and in Montana. The line was acquired(Submitted on March 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)by a Union Pacific Railroad subsidiary, the Oregon Short Line, and is today operated by the Union Pacific Railroad.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 20242. Utah and the Northern Railway MarkerLooking north; this is the leftmost of three related markers located at this pull-out on the old highway.The original 75 miles of the Utah Northern Railroad (later named Utah & Northern Railway) was conceived and built by the Mormons. It was a 3 ft narrow gauge spur off the Union Pacific portion of the transcontinental railroad. The labor for this railroad was largely volunteer Mormon labor as the intent of the railroad was to serve the Mormon communities in the Cache Valley that had been settled almost entirely by the Mormons. It was a case of Mormons forming a company and building their own railroad because existing railroad companies showed no interest in building such a railroad. The Utah & Northern was switched from 3 ft narrow gauge to 4 ft 8½ in standard gauge on July 25, 1887, six years after completing the line to Butte.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
