Dorothy Johnson (Miss Idaho 1964) (Boise, Pocatello: school, university, statistics)

[ckhthankgod]

Does anyone here know where Dorothy Johnson, Miss Idaho 1964, is from in Idaho?

[pimit2]

Dear ckhthankgod,

Dorthy (spelled without the 2nd "o') Johnson, an African-American, was born May 9, 1945 in Pocatello, Idaho. She was selected Miss Idaho in 1964 and was a semi-finalist in the 1964 Miss USA Pageant. That was the year the Civil Rights Act was passed, with a part of the country in racial turmoil.

More details (including pictures) about Miss Johnson can be found in the African-American history website:

| The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed

I hope that helps.


pimit2 (Bob)

[ckhthankgod]

Does or has Pocatello always had a noticable Black community? It seems like it is a city that's always has, but not too many people outside of Idaho know about it. Besides Boise and Mountain Home, there doesn't seem to be too many communities in Idaho with noticable Black communities.

Thanks for the information, by the way. It's true that you learn something new everyday.

[pimit2]

Dear ckhthankgod,

I don’t believe Pocatello ever had a significant population of African-Americans, although I have no first-hand knowledge, nor can I find any historic record one way or the other. In the 2000 Census, the following breakdown of races was reported:

Caucasian (White) 92.32%
Hispanic or Latino 4.94%
Native American 1.35%
Asian 1.15%
African-American 0.72%
Pacific Islander 0.2%
Other Races 2.18%
Mixed (Two or More Races) 2.09%

A comment for the mathematicians on this Forum: Like most Government work, this breakdown adds up to more than 100%. I know, and I have no explanation for that….


pimit2 (Bob)

[Sandpointian]

My, what a beautiful girl!

That early 60s elegance & presentation plus the looks...nice combo...

[twinprism]

Pocatello doesn't have a large African American community, but perhaps higher than those statistics indicate due to the university. Of course many students may not be counted as permanent residents but quite a few stay here after finishing school.

Just my 2cents.

Thanks for making me aware of that piece of Pocatello History, I never knew that, how cool! I learn new things about my town everyday. It doesn't have the rich history of a town that has been around for hundreds of years, but it has had a pretty colorful 120 or so years.