Shelley, Idaho facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shelley, Idaho
City
North State Street (U.S. Route 91) in Shelley, June 2008
Location of Shelley in Bingham County, Idaho.
Country	United States
State	Idaho
County	Bingham
Area
• Total	1.81 sq mi (4.68 km2)
• Land	1.81 sq mi (4.68 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	4,629 ft (1,411 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	4,409
• Density	2,472.87/sq mi (954.83/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	83274
Area code(s)	208, 986
FIPS code	16-73450
GNIS feature ID	2411881

Shelley is a city located in Bingham County, Idaho, in the United States. In 2010, about 4,409 people lived there.

Since 1927, Shelley has been famous for its "Idaho Annual Spud Day." This fun event happens every year on the third Saturday of September. It includes a parade, live music, a "Spud Tug" game, a potato-picking contest, and lots of free baked potatoes for everyone!

History of Shelley

Shelley was officially started in 1904. It got its name from a man named John F. Shelley. He moved to the area in 1892 because he wanted to open a small store. He needed wood and other supplies to build it.

Since there wasn't a town nearby, he asked the railroad company to make a special stop. They agreed, but only if he could unload his supplies in less than 20 minutes! His daughter, Lottie, later wrote about what happened:

With the help of Chris Mickelson and others, the lumber was thrown off the train on both sides of the track. Later a spur was put in here by the railroad company.
Now they needed a name for the town. Mother suggested 'Shelco'; Father said, 'Shelton,' so they drew cuts and Mother won."
Shelco was submitted to the railroad company and they replied: 'Call your town what you wish, but we have already named the spur, Shelley '. That is how the town got its name.

So, even though his family had other ideas, the railroad company decided the stop would be called "Shelley," and that's how the town got its name!

A big fire happened on September 4, 1902. It destroyed seven buildings on State Street. Only two stores were saved. Soren Yorgesen, who owned the first hotel in Shelley, described the event:

...One windy afternoon in the heat of the summer, a fire started in a small grocery store operated by James Jensen. It did not take long until the wind was fanning a flame that wiped out quite a long string of frame buildings - two saloons, restaurant, Odd Fellows Hall, Post Office and Confectionery, Grocery Store, and dwelling.

Geography and Nature

Shelley covers about 1.81 square miles (4.68 square kilometers) of land. It is located on the eastern side of the Snake River. The city also faces the Blackfoot Mountains.

Shelley Greenbelt Trail

The Shelley Greenbelt is a paved trail that starts near the fire department, across from Shelley High School. This trail is about 2 miles long and follows the beautiful Snake River. It's a great place for families to enjoy nature. You can find picnic tables, benches, and fun activities along the way. The trail ends at North Bingham County Park.

Idaho Annual Spud Day Festival

Thousands of people gather for the annual Spud Day Potato Festival at Shelley City Park in September 2011.

In September 1927, Shelley held its very first "Spud Day." This event is now called "The Idaho Spud Day" and is a yearly tradition. It usually takes place on the third Saturday of September. At the first Spud Day, 10,000 people were served hot baked potatoes with butter!

This tradition continues every year, along with many other exciting events:

• Parade: A colorful parade features school clubs, bands, local businesses, and community groups.
• Spud Tug: Teams play a game of tug of war over a pit filled with mashed potatoes! The mashed potatoes are mixed in a cement truck.
• Spud Run: People can join in races, including a 1-mile run and a 5k race.
• Concerts and Games: There are live music concerts and fun fairground booths with games.
• Demolition Derby: A thrilling demolition derby is held at the nearby North Bingham County Park.

Spud Day often marks the start of "Spud Harvest." This is a two-week break from school. It allows students to help with the potato harvest season.

Population Information

In 2010, Shelley had a population of 4,409 people. The city had 1,445 households, with 1,123 of them being families. The average household size was about 3 people. The average family size was about 3.5 people.

The median age in Shelley was 27.8 years old. This means half the people were younger than 27.8 and half were older. About 36% of the people living in Shelley were under 18 years old.

Famous People from Shelley

Here are some notable people who have connections to Shelley:

• Lavina Fielding Anderson – A scholar and author.
• Curt Brinkman – A Paralympic athlete.
• Lewis Croft – An actor.
• Brad Daw – A member of the Utah House of Representatives.
• Dan Dockstader – The President of the Wyoming State Senate.
• Hadley Foster – A men's college volleyball coach.
• Maxine Hanks – A theologian, historian, and author.
• Ogden Kraut – A religious author.
• John L. Moore – A former state senator.
• Darwin Young – A former member of the Idaho House of Representatives.

Images for kids

• 

  John F. Shelley, who the city is named after.

• 

  John F. Shelley and his wife (in the background) with their children: Mary, Tom, Charlotte (Lottie), Docia, and Hannah Davis.

• 

  Curt Brinkman Park, which has a skateboarding park, with Shelley High School in the background.

• 

  A gazebo on the Greenbelt in Shelley, overlooking the Snake River. This gazebo was damaged in 2009.

• 

  Shelley High School, also known as 'the Spud Cellar', is where about 600 high school students attend classes.

See also

In Spanish: Shelley (Idaho) para niños