Lewiston, Idaho

History

The town is believed to have been named after Meriwether Lewis and after Victor Trevitt's hometown of Lewiston, Maine. The town was founded in 1861.

The City of Lewiston’s high reservoir failed on January 18, 2023. The failure caused flooding with the release of approximately 3e6 USgal of water.

Geography

Lewiston is located at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers. Immediately west of Lewiston is the smaller twin city of Clarkston, Washington. The north-flowing Snake River departs Hells Canyon and forms the state boundary with Washington, while west-flowing Clearwater River defines the northern border of the city. At their confluence at the city's northwest corner, the lower Snake River turns west into Washington, and after passing four dams, empties into the Columbia River at Burbank.

About 30 mi northwest of the city is the Lower Granite Dam, the last and upper-most of the four dams on the lower Snake River. It was completed in 1975, creating a reservoir, Lower Granite Lake that stretches to Lewiston.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.04 sqmi, of which 17.23 sqmi is land and 0.81 sqmi is water. Downtown Lewiston, at elevations between 740 ft and 780 ft, is only slightly higher in elevation than the river, about 741 ft, which was 30 ft lower prior to the completion of the Lower Granite Dam. Away from downtown the terrain gains elevation quickly, as the steep riverbank highway of U.S. 95 north of Lewiston ascends to 2756 ft.

The lowest point in the state of Idaho is located on the Snake River in Lewiston, where it meets the Clearwater and flows west into Washington. The populated areas in Idaho with the lowest elevations are along (or near) the Clearwater River, from Lowell at 1486 ft to Lewiston.

The Orchards

The heavily residential southern half of the city is referred to as "The Orchards". This area is much higher in elevation than downtown, at about 1400 ft, and is named for the fruit orchards that previously covered the area. Formerly unincorporated, it was annexed in late 1969, which nearly doubled the city's population and doubled the area of the city. There is little sign of any orchards today, although there is a wide proliferation of fruit trees in the backyards of many residences in this area of town. The Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport is located on the western edge of the Orchards plateau at 1438 ft above sea level, with Bryden Canyon Road providing westbound access via the Southway Bridge into Clarkston.

Climate

Lewiston experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with occasionally cold, but short winters, mostly influenced by mild Pacific air, and hot, dry summers. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 35.2 °F in December to 75.8 °F in July; the temperature reaches 100 °F on 7.7 afternoons, 90 °F on 42 afternoons, and does not rise above freezing on 14 afternoons annually. The last year that Lewiston did not reach 100 °F was back in 1995.{{cite web |access-date = 2019-08-31 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190402004000/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=otx |archive-date = 2019-04-02 |url-status = live

At 195 days, the growing season is relatively long, with the average window for freezing temperatures being October 23 thru April 10. The plant hardiness zone of Lewiston is 7b with some pockets of 8a. Temperatures below 0 °F are quite rare. Extreme temperatures range from -23 °F on December 13, 1919 to 117 °F on July 27, 1939. Tornadoes are very rare with only three tornadoes being reported in Nez Perce County since 1950, and the only significant tornado was an F2 in Lapwai on May 8, 1962.

|Jan record high F = 66 |Feb record high F = 72 |Mar record high F = 80 |Apr record high F = 98 |May record high F = 104 |Jun record high F = 115 |Jul record high F = 117 |Aug record high F = 115 |Sep record high F = 108 |Oct record high F = 94 |Nov record high F = 77 |Dec record high F = 67 |Jan avg record high F = 56.1 |Feb avg record high F = 59.4 |Mar avg record high F = 69.1 |Apr avg record high F = 79.1 |May avg record high F = 88.9 |Jun avg record high F = 96.2 |Jul avg record high F = 103.8 |Aug avg record high F = 103.5 |Sep avg record high F = 95.2 |Oct avg record high F = 80.0 |Nov avg record high F = 63.0 |Dec avg record high F = 55.5 |year avg record high F = 105.3 |Jan avg record low F = 14.8 |Feb avg record low F = 18.2 |Mar avg record low F = 24.6 |Apr avg record low F = 30.9 |May avg record low F = 36.2 |Jun avg record low F = 44.1 |Jul avg record low F = 50.7 |Aug avg record low F = 49.9 |Sep avg record low F = 40.4 |Oct avg record low F = 28.2 |Nov avg record low F = 20.8 |Dec avg record low F = 14.5 |year avg record low F = 7.5 |Jan record low F = −22 |Feb record low F = −18 |Mar record low F = 2 |Apr record low F = 20 |May record low F = 23 |Jun record low F = 34 |Jul record low F = 41 |Aug record low F = 41 |Sep record low F = 27 |Oct record low F = 15 |Nov record low F = −3 |Dec record low F = −23 |Jan dew point C = -3.7 |Feb dew point C = -2.8 |Mar dew point C = 0.5 |Apr dew point C = 0.7 |May dew point C = 5.0 |Jun dew point C = 8.1 |Jul dew point C = 8.1 |Aug dew point C = 6.5 |Sep dew point C = 5.0 |Oct dew point C = 4.0 |Nov dew point C = 0.3 |Dec dew point C = -1.5 |access-date = 2022-09-22 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230715011842/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00024149&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |archive-date = 2023-07-15 |access-date = 2023-07-15 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230714123928/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP4/72783.TXT |archive-date = 2023-07-14 |url-status = dead |access-date = 2022-09-22

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 34,203 people, and 13,895 households in the city. The population density was 1,974.4 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 93.6% White, 0.1% African American, 0.9% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.0% of the population.

21.4% of the population were under 18, and 5.4% were under 5. 19.4% of the population was over 65. The gender makeup was 51.4% female, 48.6% male.

The median household income was $60,581 in the city, and the per capita income was $33,255. 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line. Orchards annexed in late 1969.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 31,894 people, 13,324 households, and 8,201 families residing in the city. The population density was 1851.1 PD/sqmi. There were 14,057 housing units at an average density of 815.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 93.9% White, 0.3% African American, 1.7% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.

There were 13,324 households, of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.4% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age in the city was 39.9 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 18.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 30,905 people, 12,795 households, and 8,278 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,873.0 PD/sqmi. There were 13,394 housing units at an average density of 811.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.14% White, 0.30% African American, 1.59% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.91% of the population.

There were 12,795 households, out of which 28.7% included children under the age of 18, 51.3% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% were a single person living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,606, and the median income for a family was $45,410. Males had a median income of $35,121 versus $22,805 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,091. About 8.4% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those aged 65 or over.

Historical demographics

• 1864 census: 359 (247 men, 58 women, 54 children)
• 1863 census: 414 (306 men, 59 women, 49 children)

Economy

Lewiston's economy has historically been driven by agriculture and manufacturing activity. Lewiston's location at the confluence of the Snake River and Clearwater River made it a natural distribution point due to its seaport. The Port of Lewiston is Idaho's only seaport and is navigable for barges which transport grain, fuel, legumes, paper, lumber and other goods up and down the Columbia River and out to the Pacific Ocean. About ten percent of the United States' wheat exports transits through the port.

The first barge went to Portland; it was loaded with wheat and departed Lewiston on August 9, 1975.

Lewiston's main industries are agriculture, the paper and timber products from the mill owned and operated by the Clearwater Paper Corporation (until December 2008, a part of the Potlatch Corporation), and light manufacturing.

Paper product manufacturer, Clearwater Paper is the largest employer in the manufacturing sector; Ammunition manufacturing maintains an important and growing presence in Lewiston. Ammunition maker CCI, and Speer Bullet (both now brands of Vista Outdoor) are headquartered in Lewiston. Another ammunition company in Lewiston is Freedom Munitions LLC. Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, based in Pullman, has a manufacturing facility in Lewiston.

As the metropolitan hub of the Lewis-Clark Valley, Lewiston is the primary regional transportation, retail, health care, wholesale and professional services, and entertainment center. With the presence of Lewis–Clark State College, it is also a center for education and workforce training.

Lewiston's economy is slowly diversifying, which has helped keep the economy stable. Lewiston serves as a recreation destination for the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

Arts and culture

In springtime, Lewiston hosts the Dogwood Festival. This celebration is named for the abundant dogwood trees that are in fragrant bloom during the festival. During and shortly after the festival these pink blossoms blow through yards and streets like drifts of snow. The festival also hosts the "Show and Shine" classic car show alongside the other attractions.

During late summer, "Hot August Nights" takes place. This celebration includes concerts by popular 1950s to 1980s musicians, such as .38 Special, Eddie Money, and Loverboy. There's also a show and shine for collectible cars, followed by a night parade along Main Street. During the fall, a number of cottonwood trees release cotton-like clouds of seeds that blow through the air and streets, blanketing them with a snow-like cover.

The town has a large Christmas festival that includes a number of lighted displays in the downtown area. At the site of what was originally the Johann D. C. Thiessen mansion and ranch, now Locomotive Park, so named because of the retired locomotive Steam Engine 92 and Camas Prairie RR Caboose on display in the middle, large trees and pathways are decorated with lights from Thanksgiving to New Year's. These events are sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, and the displays involved are typically quite impressive and often attract many visitors.

During the Christmas and Easter seasons, the Lewiston Jaycees have two large lighted displays on the Lewiston Hill (technically, the Washington side, and specifically, in Whitman County, above Clarkston in Washington state), visible from nearly everywhere in the valley. The display consists of long strings of ordinary light bulbs, arranged in the shape of a star (Christmas) and a cross (Easter). The same strings of lights are used in both displays, which, when lit, are left burning 24 hours a day through each season.

Every year, with cooperation from the city, Lewis-Clark State College hosts the Avista NAIA World Series for college baseball in May, and the Lewiston Round Up rodeo in September. The Lewiston Round Up is a member of the Big 4 or Big Money 4 (along with Pendleton Round-Up, Walla Walla Fair and Rodeo, and Ellensburg Rodeo) and a top 50 PRCA rodeo.

Lewiston had a popular Northwest League professional baseball franchise from 1952 through 1974. The Lewis-Clark Broncs were affiliated with various major league parent clubs, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, and Oakland Athletics (or A's). A roster check in 1967 showed that 40% of the players and coaches of the Kansas City Athletics had been in Lewiston at one time or another. Reggie Jackson was perhaps the most famous Lewiston Bronc of all-time; Mr. October played twelve games for Lewiston at age 20 in 1966. The Broncs' rosters included Rick Monday, manager John McNamara, Vearl ("Snag") Moore, Thorton ("Kip") Kipper, Antonio Perez, Ron Koepper, Delmer Owen, Dick Green, Bud Swan, Bert Campaneris, John Israel, Dave Duncan, Al Heist, and as a player, later coach-manager Robert ("Gabby") Williams. After years of financial losses, the team was shut down in Lewiston in January 1975, and resurfaced in June in southwestern Idaho as the Boise A's for two seasons.

Education

Lewiston is home to Lewis-Clark State College and the Lewiston School District; the latter operates public secondary schools, which are Lewiston High School, Jenifer Middle School, and Sacajawea Middle School. The seven elementary schools are Whitman, Webster, Centennial, Orchards, Camelot, McGhee, and McSorley.

The Northwest Children´s Home has a treatment facility in Lewiston.

The Lewiston School District is Independent School District #1.

Lewis-Clark State College is also the athletic home to the Warriors of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA); LCSC's Harris Field ballpark hosts the NAIA World Series, of which the Warriors have won 19 national titles in baseball; the first sixteen were under head coach Ed Cheff.

Media

Lewiston's newspaper is the Lewiston Morning Tribune, founded in 1892. The local television station is KLEW-TV, a CBS affiliate which signed-on December 7, 1955.

Infrastructure

Highways

• U.S. 12
• U.S. 95
• SH 128

Airport

Nonstop scheduled passenger airline service to Denver (DEN) via United Express, Salt Lake City (SLC) and Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) via Delta Connection is operated from the Lewiston - Nez Perce County Airport (LWS) with both air carriers operating regional jet aircraft on behalf of their respective major airline partners, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Marine highways

Because of the system of locks and dams on the Columbia River such as the Lower Granite Dam, Lewiston is navigable by some ocean-going vessels and is the eastern terminus of Marine Highway M-84 of the United States Marine Highway Program which connects to the M-5 along the coast at Astoria, Oregon. At 465 mi upstream of the Pacific Ocean (at the mouth of the Columbia River, adjacent to Astoria, Oregon), the Port of Lewiston has the distinction of being the most inland seaport east of the West Coast, and Idaho's only seaport.

Also, along much of the Snake River is a system of levees to protect against flooding; most are maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Notable people

References

Notes

Citations

References

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