Yesteryear History of Southeast Idaho
Zip codes may have solved some problems
By Bill Ryan I was in the room the day Pocatello Postmaster Jack Trimming announced the inauguration of the Zip Code. He said it would eventually be required on all U.S. mail. I was there because the event was newsworthy and I was news director at KSEI. Trimming showed us pictures of Mr. Zip, the […]
Death of a solid friend
By Bill Ryan I was upset last week to read of the death of a good friend, Ralph Moon Wheeler, of American Falls. The ISU grad and longtime owner of the Rockland Pharmacy always felt he had an obligation to help people. That’s why he ran for […]
Bingham County Historical Society annual picnic
The Bingham County Historical Society will hold their annual summer picnic at Jensen Grove Shelter in Blackfoot on July 9 at 6 p.m. The menu fried chicken. rolls, and water will be provided by the BCHS. Those attending are asked to bring a salad or dessert. Tom Moss, former Prosecuting Attorney for Bingham County and […]
PHS Reunions Are Getting Bigger
By Bill Ryan It’s the season to start thinking about the happy times you had at Poky High and how you’d like to see your friends again. I recognize this as a poor lead to get into the story, but we’re here, ain’t we? Retired physician Bill Brydon, a good friend, proposed this idea a […]
Texas has its share of quirks
By Bill Ryan You’ve probably never heard of Stanley Marsh 3. A Texas judge once decreed that the eccentric Amarillo businessman could legally tack the numeral onto his name. Stanley, who died last week at 76, was best known for his quirky roadside attraction “The Cadillac Ranch.” Beside Interstate 10 west […]
History of the Big Store Building in McCammon
The following article was originally published in the History of Bannock County 1893-1993 book in 1993. By Marie Howell Cornelison, credit given for information taken from H. Leigh Gittin’s Idaho’s Gold Road. On June 12, 1906, a warranty deed was filed which included the sale of several blocks in the Harkness Townsite (now part of […]
Remembering D-Day after 70 years: Rockford WWII vet among first to land on Omaha Beach
By Debbie Bryce For the Journal ROCKFORD — Quentin Murdock admits that he was afraid — everyone was afraid. American troops were out-gunned and out-manned by the Germans when they came ashore at Omaha Beach 70 years ago on June 6. As a young Army officer, most of Murdock’s troops had more time in […]
Yes, there were motels before Holiday Inn
By Bill Ryan I was delighted to see the Pluggers cartoon in last Thursday’s Dallas Morning News and to note that it was submitted by Steve and Mary Fairchild of Pocatello. The travelers see a highway sign that says, “Motel Deluxe Free bytes and bites.” The man says, “This is the place where Bob […]
Pioneer family starts Pocatello grocery
By Jackie Alvord For the Journal POCATELLO — Niels Peder and Harriet Nielson were among the early settlers of then Pocatello Junction and made significant contributions to both Pocatello and Bannock County. They delivered the groceries. Niels Peder Nielson immigrated to Utah in 1868 at the age of 15 with his mother and brother, Hans. […]