Kellogg (pop. 2,400) began as a mining community and is now a popular alpine village. The town was named for Noah Kellogg who came to the Silver Valley prospecting in 1885.
Gold was discovered at the Crystal Gold Mine in 1879, where Tom Irwin mined it for three years. When Tom left, he blasted the hillside to hide the mine. The present owner, a retired miner, uncovered the mine and opened it to tourists. Smithsonite crystals have formed on the walls, gold and wire silver veins are marked.
Hours:
April 2 to September 14: 9am-6pm
September 15 to April 1: 10am-4pm
Tips: Only open on Saturdays and Sundays from November 1st to March 25th.
The Silver Mountain Gondola takes passengers 3,400ft/1,040m from the base village at Kellogg to Mountain Haus upper terminal. Mountain Haus has a nature gallery and hiking is available.
The Staff House Museum is housed in a house built in 1906 for the top executive of the Bunker Hill Mine in Kellogg. The museum has an art gallery and displays that include a medical exhibit, Boy Scout exhibit, minerals room, replica of a primitive mining area complete with tools, and details about the domestic life of a mining family.