Books and guns, stationery and fruit: James Pinney’s store in early Boise had it all

James Pinney came west to California with his father in August 1850, when he was just 15 years old. They mined for a year before moving north to Rogue River, Oregon, where James worked as a packer until 1857, when he moved to Iowa with his parents.

In 1859 he followed the gold rush to Pike’s Peak, Colorado, where he found work as a packer, a job that brought him to Lewiston in 1862, and Elk City, Orofino and Florence. Pinney opened a general store in Auburn, Oregon, in 1862 before moving to Bannock City, Idaho, where he again tried his luck at storekeeping, but was burned out with most of the rest of town.

On June 5, 1870, the Idaho World reported: “P. O. Bookstore. Pinney knows what the people want. He is in constant receipt of fresh fruit, such as oranges, limes, lemons, etc. from California, to say nothing of newspapers, pictorials, magazines, etc.”

In February 1872, the Idaho Tri-weekly Statesman reported: “James A. Pinney of Idaho City is sojourning in town a few days. His friends will find him at his City Bookstore during his stay.” In March: “Pinney & Co. of the Post Office Book Store, are out with new advertisements this morning. A cigar stand has been added to the many features of the establishment, and the best brands of tobacco and cigars will be kept constantly on hand. Their supply of books, stationery and periodicals will be kept up as usual, and if you want a publication not in the store, they will obtain it for you at Eastern publisher’s prices. Their supply of pocket cutlery and fishing tackle is the best ever brought to this market.”

In December 1872, the Statesman noted: “J. A. Pinney of the Boise City Book Store is unpacking some of the finest presents you ever saw in your life. If you want to see your little shavers jump right out of their boots, go there and pick out a new one for each and carry them home.”

In May 1875: “Pinney, at the Boise City Book and Stationery Emporium, has just received a large assortment of beautiful picture frames, of all sizes and shapes. Also a large assortment of molding. Pinney knows the necessities of the people of this country and endeavors to supply their various wants.”

Newspaper references to Pinney in the Statesman and the World are always laudatory, as in May 1876, when the Statesman said, “Mr. James A. Pinney, one of Idaho’s best and most beloved pioneers, will join the Idaho delegation in Cincinnati en route to the National Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia.” In July, “Mr. Jas. A. Pinney, while absent from Idaho, visited the big Centennial show at Philadelphia and many of the great cities of the East and West, and has bought a splendid stock of stationery and miscellaneous goods.”

In the 1880s, Pinney’s store carried “hundreds of different kinds of rifles, shot guns and pistols and over eighty different sizes, calibers and kinds of metallic cartridges — a good place to get your supplies.”

On Dec. 1, 1881: “Pinney & Co. are working day and night with their big stock of holiday goods. If you want to see something nice don’t fail to call and look through their four rooms. Their house runs 123 feet and every inch of available room is occupied with holiday goods.”