Pocatello History

Pocatello History. . , An early writer described southern Idaho as a “Land Of Fire and Fracture,” a desert through which settlers must struggle on their way to greener pastures. Beyond Fort Hall, established 17 miles northwest of here in 1834, pioneers chose trails to California or Oregon. Miners and merchants added new routes north to the gold strikes. Soon wagon roads ran north, south, east and west from this valley, later steel rails carried heavy freight. , In 1881 Oregon Short Line Railway Co. purchased 40 acres from the Indians for its Idaho headquarters which it named Pocatello Junction. The unique name came from an Indian chief who camped in this area. 1,840 acres were obtained for a townsite in 1888. When Pocatello was named the seat of newly created Bannock County in 1893, a core of major buildings marked the business district. This crossroads town was soon known as the “Gate City.” , The Academy of Idaho opened in 1902. By 1963 it had evolved into Idaho State University. A building boom in the 1914-21 period produced many of the city’s finest and tallest buildings, including the seven-story Bannock Hotel tower formerly on this site. , Pocatello became Idaho’s most diverse industrial city and transportation hub, with highways, airport and freeways moving travelers and commerce in every direction. Its function as the proud Gate City continues. , Sponsored by the Pocatello Chiefs, 1989.