The rustic building at 1301 S. Capitol Blvd. that's now home to Papa Joe's Casual Italian and Cup of Joe dates to the 1930s.
Over the years, it's housed the New Deal Civilian Conservation Corps, a furniture showroom, a seafood restaurant called Dixon's, a tire store and a bakery. But it's the distinctive totem pole outside that's been turning heads since the 1960s.
Its carvings appear to be a wolf, a beaver, an eagle and what might be a masked man holding a fish. The carved name "Gordon" is barely visible in the chipped yellow paint at its base.
Statesman columnist Tim Woodward answered the question of the pole's origins in 2010.
A Boise native named Ed Magden opened Totem insurance agency in the building in the 60s. Magden loved Alaska. He got the pole from the Tlingit tribe and had it sent down to Boise, all the way from Ketchikan.
Anna Webb: 377-6431
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.