AMERICAN FALLS — During a special dedication Wednesday, U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, Wendy Olson, said a project to renovate and return a piece of American Falls history to its rightful place is a “shining example of how things should work.”

    Olson is originally from Pocatello. In fact, she completed an internship at the Idaho State Journal under former Editor Lyle Olson, who is no relation.

    She was one of about a dozen local and state dignitaries who turned out for a ribbon-cutting at the site of the former Silver Horseshoe Bar Wednesday.

    The building was demolished last year and the large neon sign marking the spot was restored by Blaze Signs of Pocatello and returned to the site.

    In 2011, Olson said, Bannock, Power, Oneida and Bonneville counties, the Pocatello Police Department and members of the Bear River Drug Task Force launched an investigation into businesses in Pocatello and Idaho Falls that were selling Spice, synthetic marijuana.     

    As a result of that investigation, John Heim, of Pocatello, was arrested in 2013.

    Heim pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money and was sentenced to three years in prison. His co-defendant, William Ray Carringer, also of Pocatello, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

    Olson said a week before Heim was arrested, he had purchased the Silver Horseshoe in American Falls.

    The U.S. Attorney’s office seized cash, computers, vehicles and drugs, and Olson said, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Fica included forfeiture of the dilapidated tavern to the city of American Falls as part of a sentencing agreement.

    “What we try to do is to take the profit out of (drug trafficking),” Olson said.

    American Falls Mayor Marc Beitia said the project has been in the works for more than two years and he recognized members of the city’s Parks and Recreation crew for their “sweat equity” in completing the project.

    Beitia also recognized the Power County Commission and their contribution to the sign renovation.

    “Not too much gets done without cooperation from a lot of people,” Beitia said.

    Parks and Recreation Director Jeremy Peirsol said the sign now marks the site of a new parking lot for the American Falls Senior Center, and includes a landscaped area bordering the lot.

    Peirsol said the project was completed for under $20,000, which included $5,000 from the IFFT Foundation and $4,500 from the Idaho Heritage Trust.

    The city also partnered with the Power County Museum to find grant funding for the project.    

    “The city and the county came together to make this happen,” Peirsol said. “Everyone came together.”

    Greg Baker, owner of B and B Sprinklers installed a sprinkler system for the green space and donated another $500 toward placement of a sign highlighting the colorful history of the former Silver Horseshoe Bar.

    Kurtis Workman, president of the American Falls Chamber of Commerce and a City Council member, said the Silver Horseshoe bar was operated by Don Harris and it was one of two in Eastern Idaho. A second Silver Horseshoe Bar, located in St. Anthony is still in business.

    Workman said the building has been a fixture on Main Street for decades. During its long history, it’s been a pool hall, a café and a bakery. And the building has the distinction of being the scene of the last Wild West shootout in the state.

    “It was destined to be infamous,” Workman said.

    Tony Blaze, owner of Blaze Signs, said the big neon sign was made in the late 1940s and he said it was actually in pretty good shape.

    Blaze said 80 percent of sign is still lit with vintage neon technology.

    “This is one of those projects that we rarely get to do,” Blaze said.  “We’re really happy with the way it turned out.”

    He planned to drive to American Falls to see the lighted sign.

    John Saint Vincent, president of the Seniors Association, said demolition of the building, construction of the parking lot and the re-hanging of the sign has been an interesting process.

    “The seniors really appreciate what’s been done here,” Saint Vincent said.