Kellogg is a city in the Silver Valley of Shoshone County, Idaho, United States, in the Idaho Panhandle region. The city lies near the Coeur d'Alene National Forest and about 36 miles (58 km) east-southeast of Coeur d'Alene along Interstate 90. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 2,120, down by a third from its population in 1980.

Kellogg, Idaho
Uptown Kellogg from McKinley Ave.
Uptown Kellogg from McKinley Ave.
Location of Kellogg in Shoshone County, Idaho
Location of Kellogg in Shoshone County, Idaho
Coordinates: 47°32′18″N 116°7′31″W / 47.53833°N 116.12528°W / 47.53833; -116.12528
CountryUnited States
StateIdaho
CountyShoshone
Government
 • MayorMac Pooler
Area
 • Total4.01 sq mi (10.39 km2)
 • Land3.97 sq mi (10.29 km2)
 • Water0.04 sq mi (0.09 km2)
Elevation
2,303 ft (702 m)
Population
 • Total2,120
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
2,136
 • Density537.49/sq mi (207.52/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
83837
Area code(s)208, 986
FIPS code16-42580
GNIS feature ID0396733
Websitekellogg.id.gov

History edit

 
Bunker Hill Mill in Kellogg, 1938
 
Bunker Hill smelter in operation during the 1970s
 
Pyromorphite specimen from the Bunker Hill Mine

Kellogg was incorporated in 1907. The city limits included mine property in 1955, and smelter property in 1956. The population in 1960 was about 6000.[4]

Kellogg is named after a prospector named Noah Kellogg.[5] The city became a center of mining for silver. Nearly a century of mine operations produced an extensive amount of silver. There was also a history of disputes between union miners and mine owners as workers tried to improve their conditions, including wages and safety conditions. With declining yield, the Bunker Hill Mine (& smelter) closed in 1981. Thousands lost their jobs, and the mining operations resulted in regional lead contamination of water and soil. Other mines reduced operations, as well.

Since the mines closed, Kellogg has been developing as a resort town to take advantage of its mountains for skiing and other activities.[6] By 1990 a 3.1 miles (5.0 km) long track gave access by gondola from the city of Kellogg to an alpine ski lodge at 5,700 feet (1,737 m) on Kellogg Mountain.[7][8][9]

Condos, hotels, restaurants, shops, a water park, and a golf course have been developed in relation to Silver Mountain Resort on Kellogg Mountain. The city of Kellogg was featured in The New York Times travel section in 2008 as an up-and-coming resort town.[10]

The Silver Mountain Resort is an alpine ski area which includes Kellogg Peak at 6,297 feet (1,919 m)[11] and Wardner Peak (6,200 feet (1,890 m)). It is accessed by taking the world's longest single-cabin gondola.[7]

Sunshine Mine edit

In May 1972, the Sunshine Mine of Kellogg was the site of one of the worst U.S. mining accidents, resulting in a fire that caused the deaths of 91 miners. Eight days after the fire started, two men emerged from the mine. They were found on the 4800 ft (1463 m) level of the mine near a fresh air source. All others trapped in the mine had died.

In the aftermath, the government passed new safety regulations. Every miner in the U.S. now carries a "self-rescuer" (a breathing apparatus made with hopcalite and much simpler than a SCBA), which gives the miner a chance to avoid death due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Sunshine Mine remained open until February 16, 2001, producing 360 million troy ounces (11,000,000 kg) of silver. As of 2005 Sterling Mining has plans to continue exploration and development of the mine, exercising an option the company purchased in 2003.

Geography edit

Kellogg is located at 47°32′18″N 116°07′31″W / 47.53833°N 116.12528°W / 47.53833; -116.12528 (47.538391, -116.125406),[12] at an elevation of 2,303 feet (702 m) above sea level.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.01 square miles (10.39 km2), of which 3.96 square miles (10.26 km2) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) is water.[13]

 
1907 Geologic map of Kellogg, and the locations of the Last Chance, Bunker Hill and Sullivan mines

Climate edit

Kellogg has a mixture of a dry-summer continental climate and a cold mediterranean climate. The area is prone to both heat spikes and cold snaps in spite of fairly moderate averages. The record heat was 111 °F (44 °C) in August 1961 and the record cold was −36 °F (−38 °C) in December 1968.[14] The coldest daily maximum recorded was −6 °F (−21 °C) during said 1968 cold snap.[14] On average between 1991 and 2020, the coldest maximum stood at 17 °F (−8 °C).[14] Diurnal temperature variation is quite low in winter but very high in summer. As a result, warm summer nights are rare. The warmest on record is 74 °F (23 °C) in June 2015, the only night in the 70s in the weather station's history.[14] During a normal year the warmest low is 64 °F (18 °C).[14]

Climate data for Kellogg, Idaho, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1905–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 58
(14)
68
(20)
78
(26)
93
(34)
101
(38)
107
(42)
109
(43)
111
(44)
104
(40)
92
(33)
69
(21)
61
(16)
111
(44)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 49.3
(9.6)
52.5
(11.4)
65.1
(18.4)
74.9
(23.8)
85.8
(29.9)
91.9
(33.3)
97.5
(36.4)
96.7
(35.9)
88.4
(31.3)
74.7
(23.7)
58.0
(14.4)
49.5
(9.7)
99.2
(37.3)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 37.0
(2.8)
41.5
(5.3)
49.6
(9.8)
57.8
(14.3)
68.6
(20.3)
74.7
(23.7)
84.9
(29.4)
84.3
(29.1)
73.4
(23.0)
58.0
(14.4)
44.1
(6.7)
36.3
(2.4)
59.2
(15.1)
Daily mean °F (°C) 29.3
(−1.5)
32.0
(0.0)
38.4
(3.6)
45.0
(7.2)
54.2
(12.3)
60.4
(15.8)
67.7
(19.8)
66.6
(19.2)
57.2
(14.0)
45.2
(7.3)
35.6
(2.0)
29.0
(−1.7)
46.7
(8.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 21.7
(−5.7)
22.6
(−5.2)
27.1
(−2.7)
32.3
(0.2)
39.6
(4.2)
46.0
(7.8)
50.5
(10.3)
48.8
(9.3)
41.0
(5.0)
32.5
(0.3)
27.1
(−2.7)
21.8
(−5.7)
34.3
(1.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 5.0
(−15.0)
9.8
(−12.3)
17.7
(−7.9)
25.5
(−3.6)
30.4
(−0.9)
37.6
(3.1)
43.0
(6.1)
40.6
(4.8)
32.4
(0.2)
22.1
(−5.5)
15.8
(−9.0)
7.0
(−13.9)
−0.7
(−18.2)
Record low °F (°C) −27
(−33)
−26
(−32)
−9
(−23)
6
(−14)
20
(−7)
30
(−1)
31
(−1)
28
(−2)
11
(−12)
0
(−18)
−11
(−24)
−36
(−38)
−36
(−38)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.29
(109)
3.06
(78)
3.66
(93)
2.89
(73)
2.88
(73)
2.73
(69)
1.15
(29)
0.82
(21)
1.32
(34)
3.11
(79)
4.55
(116)
3.45
(88)
33.91
(861)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 15.1
(38)
12.0
(30)
6.4
(16)
0.7
(1.8)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
4.4
(11)
13.8
(35)
52.4
(131.8)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 inch) 18.0 15.3 17.2 16.4 13.9 11.7 5.8 5.0 6.9 12.8 17.8 18.1 158.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 8.9 6.5 3.6 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 3.0 9.5 32.4
Source 1: NOAA[15]
Source 2: National Weather Service[14]

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19101,278
19203,017136.1%
19304,12436.7%
19404,2352.7%
19504,91316.0%
19605,0613.0%
19703,811−24.7%
19803,417−10.3%
19902,591−24.2%
20002,395−7.6%
20102,120−11.5%
20202,3149.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]

2010 census edit

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,120 people, 903 households, and 526 families residing in the city. The population density was 535.4 inhabitants per square mile (206.7/km2). There were 1,202 housing units at an average density of 303.5 per square mile (117.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.0% White, 0.4% African American, 2.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 903 households, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.7% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 40.4 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 27.6% were from 45 to 64; and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

2000 census edit

As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 2,395 people, 1,023 households, and 603 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,235.1 inhabitants per square mile (476.9/km2). There were 1,239 housing units at an average density of 639.0 per square mile (246.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.70% White, 0.13% African American, 1.59% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.25% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 2.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.75% of the population.

There were 1,023 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.0% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $25,898, and the median income for a family was $32,260. Males had a median income of $29,214 versus $17,391 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,274. About 17.3% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation edit

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Jefferson Lines.[18]

References edit

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  3. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. ^ Aiken, Katherine (January 15, 2008). Idaho's Bunker Hill: the rise and fall of a great mining company, 1885-1981. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 53, 140, 153. ISBN 9780806138985.
  5. ^ "Kellogg: Center of Silver Valley - A Town Founded by a Donkey".
  6. ^ Massey, Steve (July 20, 1990). "Gondola sparks real estate buying spree in Silver Valley". Spokane Chronicle. p. B6.
  7. ^ a b Massey, Steve (September 14, 1990). "$5.3 million will improve resort". Spokane Chronicle. (Washington). p. A12.
  8. ^ "Destination North Idaho". Spokane Chronicle. (Washington). Weekend section. June 30, 1990. p. 10.
  9. ^ Pressentin, Anne (July 1, 1990). "Hundreds cheer gondola opening". Spokesman-Review. p. A1.
  10. ^ Preusch, Mathew (January 18, 2008). "A Mining Town With a Bleak Past Starts to Blossom". The New York Times. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  11. ^ "Kellogg Peak Fire Lookout Tower". www.firelookout.com. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  12. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  13. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "NOAA Online Weather Data - NWS Spokane, WA". National Weather Service. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  15. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access - Station: KELLOGG, ID". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  16. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. ^ "Idaho Bus Stops". Retrieved July 20, 2023.

Further reading edit

  • Brock, James. The Sunshine Mine Disaster. Moscow: U of Idaho P, 1995.
  • Conley, Cort. Idaho for the Curious. Cambridge: Backeddy, 1982, 457–487.
  • Olsen, Gregg. The Deep Dark: Disaster and Redemption in America's Richest Silver Mine. New York: Three Rivers, 2006.
  • Weston, Julie Whitesel, "The Good Times Are All Gone Now: Life, Death and Rebirth in an Idaho Mining Town." (University of Oklahoma Press, 2009).

External links edit