May 14: Pocatello Historical Figure – Frank Paradice!["frank]("https://pocatello.gov/ImageRepository/Document?documentId=12251")
Frank Paradice Jr. is widely regarded as Pocatello's most influential architect during the first half of the 20th century. Born in St. Catharines, Canada, in 1879, Paradice was the eldest of eleven children. His family moved to Denver, Colorado, in 1880, where he grew up. In 1899, he graduated from Chicago's Art Institute and the Armour Institute of Technology with a degree in architecture.
Paradice began his
career as supervising architect for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in 1900. He later moved to Boise in 1901, working alongside architect M. Morgan Nisbet. The duo contributed many notable structures, including the Empire Building in downtown Boise, a fine example of the Chicago School style, as well as what were considered some of Boise’s most innovative bungalows.
At the encouragement of his friend, future Idaho Governor James H. Brady, Paradice relocated to Pocatello in 1913 during a time of significant growth. He established his practice in the Kasiska Building, which he designed, and would go on to shape much of Pocatello’s architectural identity through his mastery of Art Deco and Neoclassical Revival styles.
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From schools and churches to government buildings and private residences, Paradice left an indelible mark on the city. Paradice worked in Pocatello until his death in 1952. Some of his most notable projects include:
Fargo Apartments, ca. 1914
Fargo Building (Station Square), ca. 1916
Franklin Building, ca. 1915
Federal Building, ca. 1916
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Valentine Building, ca. 1916
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Bannock Hotel, ca. 1919
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James H. Brady Memorial Chapel, ca. 1922
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ISU’s Colonial Hall, ca. 1925
Veterans Memorial Building, ca. 1927
ISU's Administration Building and Gravely Hall, ca. 1939
Pocatello High School redesign and gymnasium, ca. 1939
Masonic Temple, ca. 1947
Reed Gymnasium, ca. 1951
Others include:
Kasiska Building, ca. 1914
Whittier School, ca. 1914
Emerson School (Cre-Act Building), ca. 1914
Church-White Building, ca. 1915
Jefferson School, ca. 1920
Washington Elementary School, ca. 1920
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Wooley Apartments (Brentwood Manor), ca. 1920
Presbyterian Church, ca. 1927
Central Building, ca. 1929
Bannock Memorial Hospital, ca. 1948
May 12: Pocatello Historical Figure: Clarence Rainey
Clarence Murray Rainey, an enrolled member of the Shoshone Tribe, was born on June 4, 1886, to Charles Rainey and Annetta Larsen. At just eight years old, Clarence was sent to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania, where he remained for five years. After completing the eighth grade, he was discharged on July 5, 1902.
Clarence continued his education at the Teller Institute in Grand
Junction, Colorado, attending from December 23, 1903, until June 18, 1905. He later enrolled at the Academy of Idaho (now Idaho State University) in 1907 and again in 1909, becoming the earliest known Tribal member to attend the institution. While there, he studied trades such as plumbing and was active in athletics, playing football and pitching for the baseball team, where he earned the nickname “Strongheart Rainey.”
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Following his studies, Clarence began working as a plumber in Pocatello and continued to play baseball locally. He also volunteered with the Pocatello Fire Department. In 1911, he worked for Greene and Higson as a plumber and later joined the City of Pocatello Water Department in 1917, where he eventually became City Water Superintendent—a role he held for thirty years.
Clarence and his wife, Lena Trimmings, whom he married in 1913, made their home at 735 W. Bonneville. Their house was known as one of the nicest in Pocatello. In addition to his work in the city, Clarence owned land in Fort Hall, including 20 acres of farmland, 60 acres of hay land, and 160 acres of grazing land.
Clarence Rainey passed away on March 1, 1947, at the age of 60. His lasting legacy is seen in the community through his contributions to both Pocatello and Fort Hall. Rainey Park stands as a tribute to his memory. He is buried at Mountainview Cemetery in Pocatello.
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May 9: Pocatello Historical Figure Spotlight: Dr. Minnie Howard
Today, we honor Minnie Frances Howard, a remarkable woman whose legacy continues to shape the Pocatello community. Born in 1872 in Missouri, Minnie moved to Kansas as a teenager and began teaching in rural schools. She later earned her medical degree from the University of Kansas Medical School in 1899, an impressive feat for women at the time, and joined her husband, Dr. William Forrest Howard, in a joint medical practice.
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In 1902, the Howards moved to Pocatello, where Minnie became a community leader, health advocate, and historian. She eventually stepped away from practicing medicine to raise her four sons, Nelson Jacob, Richard Philip, Forrest Hayden, and Francis Emmert (all of whom became doctors), and turned her focus to civic involvement.
Minnie was instrumental in preserving Pocatello’s history. Inspired by Ezra Meeker’s 1907 visit, she helped mark the original site of Old Fort Hall in 1916 and served as Bannock County Historian for over two decades. Her passion for education and public service was reflected in her leadership in numerous local and national organizations—from the Women’s Republican Club to the Southern Idaho Historical Society and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.
Minnie passed away in 1965, but her contributions to medicine, historical preservation, and civic life have made her a lasting pillar of Pocatello’s heritage.
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May 7: Preservation Highlight – The Purpose Center
What many locals remember as the Petersen Building (ca. 1913) has found new life as The Purpose Center—a vibrant hub for business and community gatherings in Downtown Pocatello. Originally owned by T.C. Martin, the building housed the Petersen Furniture Company from 1921 through the late 1990s and later became home to Scott’s Ski and Sports until 2010.
In 2019, Craig Yadon purchased the five-story historic structure and began an extensive rehabilitation. Today, the revitalized building features a tea shop and reception hall on the first floor and mezzanine, corporate offices on the third and fourth floors, and two executive suites on the fifth floor.
Like the Whitman Building, the Purpose Center project benefited from the Federal Historic Tax Credit Program, which supports the preservation of historic structures by offering a 20% tax credit for qualified rehabilitation expenses. This program is available to contributing historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including many in the Downtown Pocatello Historic District.
Through vision, investment, and historic preservation tools, buildings like The Purpose Center continue to enrich our community and connect us to Pocatello’s architectural heritage.
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May 5: Celebrating National Preservation Month - The Whitman Building
Originally constructed around 1905 as a two-story Eagles Lodge, the Whitman Building has undergone a rich and transformative history. In 1914, the structure was redeveloped into a four-story hotel, initially known as Hotel St. Marie, and later renamed the Hotel Nicollet.
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(Photo: St. Marie)
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(Photo: Hotel Nicollet)
During its heyday, the Nicollet was regarded as one of Pocatello’s finest hotels and even housed the
Princess Theater on the ground floor.
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(Photo: Princess Theater)
The theater gained cinematic fame when Judy Garland sang about being "born in a trunk" there in the classic film A Star is Born.
After years of neglect, the Whitman found new life in 1992 when it was purchased and rehabilitated by The Housing Company in partnership with Jerry Myers, Alan Collins, and Tim Whiteus. Today, the Whitman is a shining example of historic preservation success, featuring an architect’s office on the ground floor and 32 apartment units in the upper stories.
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(Photo: Restored Whitman)
This remarkable rehabilitation was made possible through the Federal Historic Tax Credit Program, which offers a 20% tax credit for qualifying rehabilitation expenses. In Idaho alone, this program has supported more than $35 million in private investment across 50+ historic properties. Nationally, in 2018, the program generated $7.4 billion in GDP and supported over 129,000 jobs.
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(Photo: Neglected Whitman)
May 2: Proclamation
Yesterday evening at the City Council’s meeting, Mayor Blad issued a proclamation declaring May 2025 as Preservation Month in Pocatello. Receiving the proclamation was Marty Vizcarra, Pocatello Historic Preservation Commission Chair, who offered a few remarks regarding the Commission’s current efforts to preserve Pocatello’s history.
CLICK: Proclamation: Historic Preservation Month
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(Image: Mayor and Commission Member holding proclamation)
MAY 1: May marks National Historic Preservation Month, and the Pocatello Historic Preservation Commission invites the community to celebrate this year’s theme: “Harnessing the Power of Place.”
There is no denying the vital role preservationists play in protecting historic spaces while also meeting the evolving needs of today’s communities. Preservation is more than saving buildings—it’s about strengthening neighborhoods, connecting people to their shared history, and
inspiring pride in place.
Throughout May, the City of Pocatello will share posts across its social media platforms celebrating local preservation efforts. These features will highlight preservation successes, historic events, notable figures, and unique landmarks that have helped shape the city’s identity.
Preservation work strengthens communities, breathes new life into neighborhoods, sparks joy, inspires wonder, and connects us to our shared history in ways that shape our future.
We hope you will join us in honoring our local history this month!
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APRIL 29: HAPPY BIRTHDAY POCATELLO - 136 YEARS OLD On the 29th day of April 1889 at 1:30 p.m., the Board of [Bingham] County Commissioners (you read that right, Pocatello was initially located in Bingham County) met and initiated the following action:
“Petition from the residents of and citizens of the Town of Pocatello requesting that the Town of Pocatello be incorporated and police be established for their local government and that from thenceforth they may be a body politic and corporate by the name and style of the Inhabitants of the Town of Pocatello, with all the powers, rights, and privileges of incorporated towns and villages, as is contemplated and in such cases especially provided by the laws of the Territory of Idaho 1887 Revised Statutes thereof. It was ordered that the petition be granted and the town of Pocatello be declared incorporated and the following men be declared appointed Trustees, K.D. Williams, F.A. Caldwell, H.L. Becraft, L.A. West and G.H. Davis.”
-From the meeting minutes of the Board of [Bingham] County Commissioners, Monday, April 29th, 1889, and verified by Judge D.W. Standrod in a judgement made in the Supreme Court of the State of Idaho (State ex. rel. J.T. Holcomb v. The Inhabitants of the Town of Pocatello, 1891).!["DOCUMENT]("https://pocatello.gov/ImageRepository/Document?documentId=12204")