Frank H. Paradice: A Pioneer in Pocatello Architecture
Frank Paradice has been described as Pocatello's foremost architect in the first half of the
20th century. He designed or redesigned most of the buildings in downtown Pocatello between 1913 and 1952. Frank has been described as a master of the Art Deco and Neoclassical Revival styles. If you are wondering what these two styles entail, think about the style of the Idaho Capitol Building (neoclassical), and the style of the Idaho State University Administration Building (art deco). The buildings which he designed continue to remind us of his architectural styles, and his passion for creating beautiful buildings.
Frank’s Early Life
Young Frank Paradice
Francis Henry Paradice Jr. was born in April 1879, in St. Catharines, Canada, to Francis Paradice and Catherine Cuffe. Frank was the oldest of eleven children in his family. After the birth of his sister, Katherine May, in November of 1880, the family emigrated from Canada, to the U.S. and settled in Denver.
In 1897, Frank Jr. was a student working at Varian & Sterner, an architectural firm in Denver. Fast-forward to 1900, and he is now a Draftsman and Chief Engineer for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.
During his time at Varian & Sterner, he graduated from Chicago’s Art Institute and Armour Institute of Technology with a degree in architecture in 1899.
Architectural Feats
Boise Empire Building
Once his career took off, Frank was responsible for a variety of projects all over Idaho. Specifically, he designed:
the Boise Empire Building,
Anduiza Hotel
Sterry Hall at the College of Idaho
several high schools across the state
Several Hospitals across the state
In Pocatello he designed:
Fargo Building
Modern and Historic Valentine Building
Idaho State University Admin Building
Idaho State University Gravely Hall
Idaho State University Vocational Educational Building
The Masonic Temple
Bannock Memorial Hospital
Old Municipal Building
Idaho State University Gymnasium
Eli Oboler Library (Supervisory contract)
This is an impressive list, but it isn’t complete. Throughout his life he designed a multitude of buildings both in and out of state. The impact he left was clear and some of these buildings still stand, and are prominent in their respective areas.
Late Frank Paradice
His Passing
On February 20, 1952, The Idaho State Journal reported that Frank had been ill at his home at 345 South Eighth for two days. Frank died February 22, 1952, in Pocatello, Idaho and was buried at the Mount Moriah Cemetery here in Pocatello (known today as the Mountain View Cemetery).
Frank Paradice had more influence in the design of Pocatello's downtown buildings than any other architect of his period. His work has had a long-lasting influence in the City and his architectural greatness should be revered and remembered for decades to come.
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To donate to the restoration of the Brady Chapel, go to pocatello.us/171/Brady-Chapel
For more information on the HPC go to pocatello.us/255/Historic-Preservation
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