Historic Idaho Motel Neon Sign
Pocatello, Bannock County
- Grant: 2024 – Painting, wiring, and instillation of the sign
Location: 435 W. Center St., Pocatello, ID 83204
Pocatello began it’s life at the crossroads of the Oregon and California Trails. If you look at the rooflines of many of the buildings along Main and Center Streets and you’ll see dates: 1892, 1900, 1903, 1905, and names like Franklin, Carlyle, Lewis and Sonnenkalb slongside relics of social groups long gone and some still in existence: WOW (Woodmen of the World), and IOOF (Odd Fellows).
Opera houses opened, including The Princess Theater where Judy Garland’s character in “A Star Is Born” was “born in a trunk.” A substantial high school was built, which still stands as Pocatello High School today. And, in 1903 residents saw the beginnings of what would become Idaho State University. As the city grew boarding houses gave way to magnificent hotels including the Bannock, Yellowstone and Whitman.
Neon signs glowed brightly identifying many of the buildings and businesses that knit together the history of our city. Through the years however, the signs did not fare as well as the buildings. Many were taken down and abandoned or left to hang, dark and deteriorating. Through Relight the Night’s efforts and by working successfully with the City of Pocatello, property owners and business owners, many of the neon signs from decades ago shine brightly once again. The list of restored neon signs includes: The Chief Theatre, 210 Club, Fred’s Photo Service, The Paris, Molinelli’s Jewelers, Buster Brown Shoes, IOOF, The Yellowstone Hotel, Whitman Hotel, the Greyhound Bus Depot and 12 others.
Our collection of restored neon signs is enjoyed by local residents along with visitors from around the world. This summer we visited with tourists from Canada, France, Belgium and Germany who stopped in for walking tour brochures. Relight the Night has become nationally recognized and is now looked to for advice from other communities just beginning their restoration efforts.
With successful fundraising, the Idaho Motel sign will be added to the list of restored and saved historic neon signs in 2025. This will mark the 23 saved sign in Historic Downtown Pocatello. Read more about Relight the Night and the history of neon signage in our previous feature: Pocatello Relights the Night (Yet Again!) – Idaho Heritage Trust, Inc.
