Pocatello History, Idaho

The land on which today the city of Pocatello is situated has always been inhabited by the Bannock and the Shoshoni people. Their presence in the city of Pocatello dates back to several centuries. We should understand that although Europeans were the first to arrive on this land, the latter was already inhabited by various other tribes. River Portneuf flows in the proximity of this land and this is what made this land worth living for the historical Bannock and Shoshoni people. The favorable environment and the rich soil of the city along with the presence of the river in its proximity made it the perfect place to live.

In 1834 the famous fur trader from the United States (namely Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth) created a trading post which was located somewhere north of the current location of the city. This trading post was named Fort Hall. It became an important reason why the city of Pocatello slowly became famous in the region and around the world. Fur trading became regular and businessmen started to visit the city to make profit. The famous Fort Hall proved to be the major reason for strengthening the backbone of this city during those early years.

Port Hall was later on acquired by the Hudson’s Bay Company and this is what made Port Hall a major stop on Oregon Trail. A branch of this famous Oregon Trail passed via Portneuf which is actually the current location for the city of Pocatello. A monument which looks exactly like Fort Hall is now being used as a museum in the southern section of Pocatello City.

In 1860 the first major group of settlers from the United States entered the city of Pocatello as this was the time when various gold mines were discovered here. In1877 the city of Pocatello was gifted with its own railway line, thus increasing the economical importance of the city. Lastly, in 1882, the first few commercial and residential developments actually started to appear in Pocatello.