Pocatello celebrates its 130th birthday Monday

Pocatello is celebrating its 130th birthday Monday. The city, named after Chief Pocatello of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes, was originally founded in 1882 as a village outside of Bingham County. However, it officially became its own city in 1889.

It was known as a railroad town but has been a scholastic town over past few decades as Idaho State University became the city’s largest employer.

With the current population growth and new businesses in the county, Pocatello City Council President, Jim Johnston says it’s the best time to be living here in the city.

“This is an exciting time in the history of Pocatello and it didn’t happen by accident. People have planned and worked and helped us grow,” Johnston said. “That’s what’s significant of the current history of Pocatello, Idaho.

It is also named the Smile Capital of the World!