Pocatello, Idaho
I’ve noticed this little hut many times driving by on errands, and always wondered just what it was in its prime. After looking at the location back in 2008 on Google Earth, I noticed it looked almost identical to what it looks like today. I wondered how long it had been vacant for, or if it was even owned by anyone anymore. I took to the “You Know You Grew Up In Pocatello When..” Facebook group, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite resources for learning about the history of this city.
Below is a photo of the building as of June 2021. It’s currently listed as a bus stop. I think it has quite a lot of potential, it would be great if someone decided to bring life back into it.
According to locals, the spot used to be a Phillips 66 gas station and repair shop owned by a man named Dick Kanow in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Although Kanow sadly passed in the early 2000s, according to the stepmother of his grandchild, fond memories of the spot still thrive, with some childhood Pocatello residents mentioning how Kanow would give them free cookies just for stopping by while they grew up.
No one seems to know the current status of the building today, but it has allegedly been sitting in a similar state for nearly 30 years. As it has never gone for sale, it can be assumed that the building is still under ownership by someone, but as for now, who they are is still a mystery.