James A. Pinney

Who was James A. Pinney?

James Alonzo Pinney served as mayor of Boise, Idaho Territory in the late 19th century and early 20th century. He is the only person in the city's history to serve as mayor three nonconsecutive times and win election as mayor five times.

Pinney was Boise mayor when Idaho Territory became the U.S. state of Idaho in July 1890.

Pinney was passionate about the arts. In his lifetime he owned a bookstore and two theaters. His first theater, The Columbia Theater, was founded in 1982. When The Columbia was torn down in 1908, Pinney replaced it with a five story theater dubbed The Pinney Theater.