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.
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
- Valentine Building, ca. 1916
- Bannock Hotel, ca. 1919
- James H. Brady Memorial Chapel, ca. 1922
- 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
- Wooley Apartments (Brentwood Manor), ca. 1920
- Presbyterian Church, ca. 1927
- Central Building, ca. 1929
- Bannock Memorial Hospital, ca. 1948