Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Bonners Ferry | |
|---|---|
 Bonners Ferry and the Kootenai River | |
 Location of Bonners Ferry in Boundary County, Idaho. | |
  Bonners Ferry Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:48°41′32″N116°19′03″W/ 48.69222°N 116.31750°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Idaho |
| County | Boundary |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.51 sq mi (6.50 km2) |
| • Land | 2.35 sq mi (6.10 km2) |
| • Water | 0.15 sq mi (0.40 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,896 ft (578 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,543 |
| • Estimate (2019)[3] | 2,687 |
| • Density | 1,120.22/sq mi (432.59/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8(Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7(PDT) |
| ZIP code | 83805 |
| Area codes | 208, 986 |
| FIPS code | 16-09370 |
| GNISfeature ID | 0396163 |
| Website | bonnersferry |
Bonners Ferry(Kutenai language:ʔaq̓anqmi[4]) is the largest city in and thecounty seatofBoundary County,Idaho,United States.[5]The population was 2,543 at the2010 census.
ThePorthill-Rykerts Border Crossingconnects Bonners Ferry withCreston, British Columbia,Canada on theKootenay River.
History
[edit]
Whengoldwas discovered in the EastKootenaysofBritish Columbiain 1863, thousands of prospectors from all over the West surged northward over a route that became known as the Wildhorse Trail. Edwin Bonner, a merchant fromWalla Walla, Washington,established a ferry in 1864 where the trail crossed the broadKootenai River.In 1875, Richard Fry, and hisSinixtwife, Justine Su-steel Fry, leased the business,[6]but the location retained the name of the original founder and later became the town of Bonners Ferry.
Before thegold rush,only a few visitors had come to the region; one of the first was explorerDavid Thompson,acartographerfor theNorth West Company.Thompson and four fellowfur tradersarrived in 1808 to trade with the Lower Kootenais. The local natives gave Thompson's party dried fish and moss bread. Thompson returned the next year and established a trading post onLake Pend Oreille.He was followed in 1846 byJesuitPriestFather DeSmet,a missionary to theKootenai Tribe.[7]
TheOregon Questionwas settled by theOregon Treatyof 1846 which established the 49th Parallel north as the boundary between the US andBritish North America.Government surveyors of theBoundary Commissioncame in 1858 to establish the border between the United States andBritish Columbia.[8]
Bonners Ferry in the 1880s flourished due to the mines in the north.[9]Entering service in 1883 theNorwegian-builtsteamerMidgetransported passengers and freight between Bonners Ferry and British Columbiafor 25 years. In 1892 TheGreat Northern Railwaywas built, followed by the Spokane International and the Kootenai Valley lines.[10]
Thevillageof Bonners Ferry was formally established in 1893, along the south bank of the Kootenai River. Scattered along the valley and benchland were a few ranches and homesteads. Numerous mines were developed in the nearby mountains, including the Continental Mine in the Selkirks. The lumber industry also grew rapidly. Bonners Ferry, perched on stilts to avoid the inevitable spring floods, appeared to be a boom town.
Moving into the 20th century, the town became the center of a lumbering and farming community. The valley land was drained, levees were constructed and farms were cleared on the benches. The rich Kootenai Valley became known as the "Nile of the North," while the Bonners Ferry Lumber Company grew to be one of the world's largestlumber mills.The downtown took shape as brick buildings were constructed, replacing those on stilts. Completion of theLibby Damin 1975 lessened the threat of serious flooding. Today, much of Main Street dates from this initial period of solid, permanent construction.
On September 20, 1974, theKootenai Tribe,headed by chairwomanAmy Trice,declared war on the United States government. Their first act was to post soldiers on each end of the highway that runs through the town who would ask people to pay a toll to drive through what had been the tribe's aboriginal land. The money would be used to house and care for elderly tribal members. Most tribes in the United States are forbidden to declare war on the U.S. government because of treaties, but the Kootenai Tribe never signed a treaty. The dispute resulted in the concession by the United States government and a land grant of 10.5 acres (42,000 m2) that is now theKootenai Reservation.[11]
Bonners Ferry is 8 miles (13 km) from the site of theRuby Ridgeconfrontation and siege in 1992, which occurred just outside Naples, Idaho.
Geography and climate
[edit]
Bonners Ferry is located 27 miles (43.5 km) south of theCanada-United Statesborder at48°41′32″N116°19′3″W/ 48.69222°N 116.31750°W(48.692110, −116.317626),[12]at an altitude of 1,896 feet (578 m).[13][14]According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the city has a total area of 2.61 square miles (6.76 km2), of which 2.44 square miles (6.32 km2) is land and 0.17 square miles (0.44 km2) is water.[15]
Bonners Ferry has ahumid continental climate(KöppenDfb/Dsb) with cold, snowy winters and dry summers with hot days and cool nights. It is almost warm enough to be classed as aMediterranean climateoroceanic climate,and snow depths above 10 inches (0.25 m) occur on 23.6 days on average.
| Climate data for Bonners Ferry, Idaho, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 55 (13) |
63 (17) |
75 (24) |
89 (32) |
95 (35) |
108 (42) |
107 (42) |
105 (41) |
97 (36) |
84 (29) |
67 (19) |
59 (15) |
108 (42) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 45.7 (7.6) |
50.1 (10.1) |
62.0 (16.7) |
74.3 (23.5) |
83.1 (28.4) |
89.8 (32.1) |
96.0 (35.6) |
96.3 (35.7) |
86.7 (30.4) |
71.5 (21.9) |
54.8 (12.7) |
46.4 (8.0) |
97.5 (36.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 33.7 (0.9) |
38.6 (3.7) |
48.4 (9.1) |
59.2 (15.1) |
69.4 (20.8) |
74.6 (23.7) |
84.8 (29.3) |
84.7 (29.3) |
73.3 (22.9) |
56.3 (13.5) |
41.5 (5.3) |
33.1 (0.6) |
58.1 (14.5) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 28.7 (−1.8) |
31.6 (−0.2) |
39.0 (3.9) |
47.3 (8.5) |
56.3 (13.5) |
61.9 (16.6) |
69.0 (20.6) |
68.3 (20.2) |
58.9 (14.9) |
45.9 (7.7) |
35.6 (2.0) |
28.5 (−1.9) |
47.6 (8.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 23.7 (−4.6) |
24.6 (−4.1) |
29.7 (−1.3) |
35.5 (1.9) |
43.1 (6.2) |
49.2 (9.6) |
53.2 (11.8) |
52.0 (11.1) |
44.5 (6.9) |
35.6 (2.0) |
29.7 (−1.3) |
23.8 (−4.6) |
37.1 (2.8) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 3.4 (−15.9) |
8.3 (−13.2) |
16.5 (−8.6) |
25.7 (−3.5) |
30.8 (−0.7) |
37.8 (3.2) |
42.9 (6.1) |
42.2 (5.7) |
32.4 (0.2) |
21.8 (−5.7) |
13.8 (−10.1) |
7.5 (−13.6) |
−2.2 (−19.0) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −29 (−34) |
−25 (−32) |
−12 (−24) |
12 (−11) |
17 (−8) |
23 (−5) |
32 (0) |
28 (−2) |
15 (−9) |
8 (−13) |
−13 (−25) |
−33 (−36) |
−33 (−36) |
| Averageprecipitationinches (mm) | 2.63 (67) |
1.83 (46) |
2.01 (51) |
1.26 (32) |
1.78 (45) |
1.92 (49) |
0.64 (16) |
0.53 (13) |
1.02 (26) |
1.73 (44) |
2.55 (65) |
3.17 (81) |
21.07 (535) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 15.0 (38) |
10.8 (27) |
3.7 (9.4) |
0.4 (1.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
6.4 (16) |
17.3 (44) |
53.8 (135.91) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 12.9 | 8.5 | 10.7 | 9.4 | 9.7 | 10.2 | 5.6 | 4.3 | 6.7 | 10.1 | 13.0 | 12.9 | 114.0 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 7.8 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.9 | 8.4 | 25.2 |
| Source 1: NOAA[16] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service[17] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 349 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,071 | 206.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,236 | 15.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,418 | 14.7% | |
| 1940 | 1,345 | −5.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,776 | 32.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,921 | 8.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,909 | −0.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,906 | −0.2% | |
| 1990 | 2,193 | 15.1% | |
| 2000 | 2,515 | 14.7% | |
| 2010 | 2,543 | 1.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,687 | 5.7% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 2,637 | [3] | 3.7% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[18] | |||
2010 census
[edit]As of thecensus[2]of 2010, there were 2,543 people, 1,117 households, and 631 families residing in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 1,042.2 inhabitants per square mile (402.4/km2). There were 1,254 housing units at an average density of 513.9 per square mile (198.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.3 percentWhite,0.2 percentAfrican American,2.0 percentNative American,0.6 percentAsian,0.2 percentPacific Islander,0.5 percent fromother races,and 2.2 percent from 2 or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 4.7 percent of the population.
There were 1,117 households, of which 27.6 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1 percent weremarried couplesliving together, 12.5 percent had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8 percent had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.5 percent were non-families. 38.6 percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.91.
The median age in the city was 41.9 years. 23.7 percent of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5 percent were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.9 percent were from 25 to 44; 27.4 percent were from 45 to 64; and 19.5 percent were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0 percent male and 52.0 percent female.
2000 census
[edit]As of thecensus[19]of 2000, there were 2,515 people, 1,027 households, and 650 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,186.9 inhabitants per square mile (458.3/km2). There were 1,120 housing units at an average density of 528.5 per square mile (204.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.67 percentWhite,0.04 percentAfrican American,1.59 percentNative American,0.52 percentAsian,1.31 percent fromother races,and 0.87 percent from 2 or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 4.29 percent of the population.
There were 1,027 households, out of which 31.7 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0 percent weremarried couplesliving together, 11.2 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7 percent were non-families. 32.9 percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.9 percent under the age of 18, 8.2 percent from 18 to 24, 24.5 percent from 25 to 44, 21.3 percent from 45 to 64, and 19.1 percent who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,509, and the median income for a family was $35,237. Males had a median income of $28,558 versus $16,776 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $13,343. About 17.3 percent of families and 20.0 percent of the population were below thepoverty line,including 28.6 percent of those under age 18 and 10.9 percent of those age 65 or over.
Politics
[edit]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 74.7%970 | 22.9%297 | 2.4%31 |
| 2016 | 71.7%790 | 19.6%216 | 8.7%96 |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Senate | 73.6%952 | 23%298 | 3.3%43 |
| 2018 Governor | 69.9%631 | 28.3%255 | 1.8%17 |
| 2018 Lt. Governor | 71.5%636 | 28.5%254 | 0%0 |
| 2018 Attorney General | 73.3%645 | 26.7%235 | 0%0 |
| 2016 Senate | 75.1%825 | 20.2%221 | 4.7%52 |
Transportation
[edit]Boundary County Airportis a county-owned, public-useairportlocated 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) northeast of thecentral business districtof Bonners Ferry.[21]
The railroad reached town in 1892; the thenGreat Northern Railroadas part of its transcontinental line over Maria's Pass, nowBNSF.TheKootenai Valley Railwayexisted 1898-1915. In 1910 a second railroad was built through Bonners Ferry:Spokane International Railroadconnecting the US to Canada, nowUnion Pacific.
While Amtrak's Empire Builder runs through town, the nearest station is at Sandpoint (the only Amtrak station in Idaho).
Local media
[edit]Bonners Ferry has been home toKBFIAM 1450 since 1983. It is owned by local licensee Radio Bonners Ferry, Inc, owned byBlue Sky Broadcasting, Inc.While licensed to Bonners Ferry and having its transmitter site located there, KBFI shares studios and offices with its sister stations (KSPT,KIBR,andKPND), in nearby Sandpoint, Idaho.
KSBF88.9 FM began broadcasting in 2024. Owned and operated by Bonners Ferry Baptist Church, it is an affiliate of theFundamental Broadcasting Network.
A prominent newspaper in Bonners Ferry is the weeklyBonners Ferry Herald,owned by Hagadone Publishing.[22]
Sports
[edit]Bonners Ferry High Schoolhasphysical educationprograms such as wrestling, football, baseball, soccer, cheer, dance, golf, and basketball.
There are teams fielded forLittle leaguebaseball, in association with nearbySandpoint, Idaho.
Education
[edit]There is one school district in Boundary County:Boundary County School District 101.[23]
Boundary County is in the catchment area, but not the taxation zone, forNorth Idaho College.[24]
Other languages
[edit]Some of theKootenai Tribe of Idahospeak the city name of their language asBonners Ferry(Ktunaxa:k̓akanmituk ʔa·kaq̓ǂaʔhaǂ, ʔaq̓anqmi[25]).
Notable people
[edit]- Christopher John Boyce,American spy
- Denis Johnson,author, journalist
- Claire Du Brey,silent film actress
- Johnny James,baseball player
- Rita La Roy,silent film actress
References
[edit]- ^"2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 9,2020.
- ^ab"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedDecember 18,2012.
- ^ab"Population and Housing Unit Estimates".United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020.RetrievedMay 27,2020.
- ^"Ktunaxa Nation Official Website - Territory Map".
- ^"Find a County".National Association of Counties. Archived fromthe originalon May 31, 2011.Retrieved2011-06-07.
- ^Pryce, Paula.Keeping the Lakes Way,ISBN0-8020-8223-8,University of Toronto Press, pp. 166–7
- ^Nisbet, Jack."A place to build a House on".Sandpoint Magazine.Keokee Co. Publishing, inc.RetrievedApril 26,2019.
- ^Dougherty, Phil."The International Boundary Commission first meets on June 27, 1857".History Link.RetrievedApril 26,2019.
- ^"Welcome to Bonners Ferry, Idaho".Sandpoint.RetrievedApril 26,2019.
- ^"HISTORY OF BONNERS FERRY".Three Mile Corner.RetrievedApril 26,2019.
- ^Kuglin, John (June 2, 1975)."Idaho Indians Reap Spoils Of War".Lewiston Morning Tribune.RetrievedApril 26,2011.
- ^"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990".United States Census Bureau.February 12, 2011.RetrievedApril 23,2011.
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Bonners Ferry, Idaho
- ^"Bonners Ferry | Idaho, United States | Britannica".www.britannica.com.RetrievedFebruary 9,2023.
- ^"US Gazetteer files 2010".United States Census Bureau.Archived fromthe originalon January 12, 2012.Retrieved2012-12-18.
- ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedSeptember 22,2022.
- ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data".National Weather Service.RetrievedSeptember 22,2022.
- ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 4,2015.
- ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.Retrieved2008-01-31.
- ^ab"Dave's Redistricting".davesredistricting.org.RetrievedJuly 7,2021.
- ^FAA Airport Form 5010 for 65SPDF.Federal Aviation Administration. Effective June 3, 2010.
- ^"Bonners Ferry Herald".bonnersferryherald.com.
- ^"2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Boundary County, ID"(PDF).U.S. Census Bureau.RetrievedMarch 12,2024.-Text list
- ^"Community Colleges"(PDF).Legislative Budget Book.Idaho Legislature.2016. p. 1-81 (PDF p. 3/9).- See area 1 in:"TITLE 33 EDUCATION CHAPTER 21 JUNIOR COLLEGES".Idaho Legislature.RetrievedMarch 12,2024.
- ^"FirstVoices: Nature / Environment – place names: words. Ktunaxa".RetrievedJuly 7,2012.
External links
[edit]Municipalities and communities ofBoundary County, Idaho,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
