A closer look into Old Town’s historical preservation

With all the talk surrounding the Pocatello High School reconstruction, the spotlight is on historical preservation. But what makes it so important?

Once a booming railroad town, today it is a bit quieter and has new business and industry, but many of the memories within the buildings remain intact.

“People really identify with their environment that’s when emotion comes in,” Terri Neu, Liason for the Historical Preservation Commission says. “The built environment give the community a sense of place. And when you have a really good historic built environment, that history provides an even richer sense of place.”

Old Town has a reputation for its iconic architecture, some that haven’t been changed for over 100 years.

“The built environment give the community a sense of place. And when you have a really good historic built environment, that history provides an even richer sense of place.”

However, when it comes to Pocatello High School reconstruction, there’s no shortage of concern.

“Other people are getting upset about it because they just don’t want it changed. They want it to look like it did when they went to high school there. In our day and age, it can’t be. We do need to make some adjustments.”

For many Old Town store owners, iconic buildings like Pocatello High School should remain the same.

“Pocatello High School buildings are beautiful. I think a lot of these building represents how Pocatello started,” Christina Young, Store Manager in Old Town said.

As the debate over the high school continues, the historic preservation is looking for public comment and their future goals.

“We want to know from the community if this is the way they want to go,” Nue said.

You can find a draft of their preservation plan HERE.