Pocatello in Bannock County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Port of Entry

— Portneuf Gap-Gittins Cutoff Historic Loop —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2024

1. Port of Entry Marker

Inscription.
Before construction of the Interstate Highway in the 1970's a highway port-of-entry was located here to monitor truck traffic between the Snake River Plain and the area to the south and east. Truck transportation was an important early industry in Pocatello, with Garrett Freight Lines a leading local company.

Erected by Portneuf Greenway.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 42° 47.791′ N, 112° 19.921′ 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 in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Utah and the Northern Railway (here, next to this marker); Oregon Short Line & Union Pacific (here, next to 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 . . . ISU students capture story of Garrett Freightlines (Idaho State Journal).

(By Michael H. O’Donnell) Excerpt: At its peak, Garrett Freightlines employed about 1,000 people in Pocatello, and its trucking delivery system spanned from California to Minnesota — the fifth largest freight line in the nation. It was a trucking empire that had been started in the shadow of Pocatello’s growing railroad presence back in 1913 by brothers
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2024

2. Port of Entry Marker
Looking north; this is the middle one of three related markers located at this pull-out on the old highway.
Clarence and Oscar Garrett. Using a 1913 REO truck with hard rubber ties, the Garrett brothers transferred luggage and freight for railroad passengers. As Southeast Idaho expanded in population, so did Garrett Freightlines. It established its first terminal outside of the Gate City in Salt Lake City with smaller cache points in Mackay and Salmon. In the 1930s, it took 44 hours to haul a load from Pocatello to Salt Lake City because of the rudimentary road system.

(Submitted on March 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.