- Fortunately many of these historic signs call out to the "greater community"--they are signatures from the past and reminders of beloved events, places, and people. Such signs allow the past to speak to the present in ways that buildings by themselves cannot. They give continuity to public spaces and become part of the community memory. With so much expense and expertise needed for their rescue, many of Pocatello's signs will require full community involvement and that's why the Relight the Night Initiative came into being.
Under Randy Dixon's chairmanship, like-minded organizers are compiling a growing list of "Signs of Interest" that may need a full rescue or maybe just a bit of resuscitation. Some on the list no longer (or in some cases never did) reside/exist downtown--yet they lit up Pocatello's night skies for decades.
- The first sign to be targeted for renovation was the historic Chief Theater sign. This is perhaps the most recognizable and most famous of all the downtown neon signs. Many treasured memories were created at The Chief Theater, from first dates, first kisses and even proposals, many a past and present Pocatello resident has a story to share. The Chief hung over Main Street from 1938 to 1993, when the Chief Theater burned to the ground. It was a community effort to rehabilitate the theater, which was completed just prior to the fire. Only two pieces of the theater were saved, the tile mosaic from the entryway and the sign. The mosaic was first to be restored and now sits at the site of the theater. The Chief sign, now completely renovated stands 50’ tall and brightly shines every night on Main Street. A special thank you to all of the donors who made the sign renovation possible!
The second sign to be renovated was the Greyhound Bus Depot Sign. The only sign of its kind remaining in the US today, the Greyhound now "runs" every evening at it's home on top of the Historic Greyhound Bus Station Building located on W. Bonneville, in front of the Union Pacific Railroad Depot.
Signs Relit since November 29, 2013:
Signs Relit since November 29, 2013:
The Projects


















You can be an instrumental part of bringing more light and new life to Historic Downtown Pocatello. Share your pride in our community and please contribute to help "Save Our Signs." Contributions can be made online by clicking here, or may be mailed to:
Relight The Night
C/O Historic Downtown Pocatello Foundation
PO Box 222
Pocatello, ID 83204
Contributions may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor. Thank you!