Pocatello ID | The Gate City to Opportunity

Custom Rehab, providing physical therapy in Bannock County, presents this handy guide about the history of the Gate City and surrounding areas. Nestled in the Southeastern portion of Idaho is a bristling metropolitan community. Pocatello is known as the Gate City, and for good reason. It is a community born from the indigenous tribes of its heritage.

It is the fifth-largest city in the state with a population of just over 50,000. The city is the county seat of Bannock County, named for one of the two prevalent ancestral tribes, the Bannock and Shoshone Indians.

Running through the southeast corner of the city is the Portneuf River. It is a gap adjacent to this waterway that helped put this small town on the map. The Oregon Trail cut through the region at Portneuf Gap between the main town and the City of Chubbuck.

Through this portal to the west crossed thousands of pioneers and gold miners. The town became known as the Gateway to the Northwest. It has not been lost in history like other small towns of the era.

Early History of Pocatello

Everything started early in the 19th century. Settlers were pushing westward towards the Pacific Ocean. Nathaniel Wyeth envisioned a small trading post just north of the present-day city. Initially, Fort Hall attracted mostly trappers and fur traders.

However, as the wave of pioneers heading west started to grow, the area became a key supply point along the famous Oregon Trail. Eventually the gold rush and enthusiasm for westward expansion would wane.

During the following half-century, agriculture would take hold in the area. The location as a point for travelers gave it the necessary start as a transportation junction. Stagecoach stations, and eventually a railroad would expand opportunities in the region.

The Snake River

The Snake River is another river that helped play an important role in the area’s early history. Running through the southeastern part of the state near the Pontnuef River, it was the largest river in the northwest US that dumped into the Pacific Ocean.

Having access to this steady stream of water from the Snake River helped the area become one of the largest growers of potatoes in the state. Agriculture is still an important part of the region’s business structure.

Recent History of Pocatello

Being known as one of the best small places for business and careers is an excellent quality for a city to have. However, peacefulness of the neighborhoods and related crime statistics are frequent questions that visitors and potential new residents will ask.

The Gateway City is set to welcome a new employer that certainly will bring jobs, plus an enhanced sense of safety and comfort. The world’s most renowned law enforcement agency broke ground this past November.

The city will be the home of one of three Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI data centers. This project will employ hundreds of workers during the construction phase, plus add opportunities for local residents for years to come.

Pocatello Mayor Bill Blad recently named five individuals as honorary citizens. At the Fosbury and Friends breakfast, Dick Fosbury, Andre Philips, Stacy Dragila, Willie Banks and Tyson Gunter were noted for their dedicated service to helping local athletes achieve lofty goals.

In 2020, the area hosted the 42nd annual Simplot Games, a series of athletic competitions showcasing up and coming future Olympic hopefuls. The Gateway City is always changing and improving. These are just a couple of tidbits from local news that exhibit how much potential this historic city possesses.

Prominent Gateway City Citizens

Along the Gateway City and adjacent Chubbuck are a number of noteworthy places. Included are a few prominent citizens who have called the area home.

Famous actresses Billie Bird and Gloria Dickson both lived in the community.

Sports fans will know well the name Merril Hoge, a former professional player and analyst for ESPN. The current offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, Dirk Koetter, played his college football at ISU.

Idaho State University

Idaho State University (ISU) is the largest employer in the city. ISU was founded in 1901, and today boasts an overall enrollment of more than 10,000 students. From a secondary campus for the main state university, ISU now offers over 280 programs, including Master’s and Doctorate degrees.

It is the home of one of the state’s campuses that are part of the Centers for Advanced Energy Studies. There is a vibrant campus life for both on-campus and off-campus students. ISU is the home of Holt Arena, known as the Minidome, which is the oldest enclosed college stadium in the US.

Many of the small communities across the west faded as the rush for gold and the push towards the Pacific Ocean faded. However, some have remained endearing symbols of prosperity. One of those communities earned the name as the Gateway to the Northwest.

Today, Pocatello is a gateway to opportunity. While its rich history is not forgotten, the focus of the community is on a bright future. Visitors and prospective new residents will soon understand why this community is still deserving of being called the Gate City.