Avalanches in Mace, Idaho

“Coming without the slightest warning, except for the thunderous roar momentarily preceding the shock, a huge avalanche swept down the precipitous sides of Custer mountain, completely burying the little town of Mace, Idaho, and filling the narrow Burke canyon to a depth of 75 feet, resulting in a toll of more than 20 killed and scores injured.” So began a Feb. 27, 1930, story in The Spokesman-Review, describing events that had occurred exactly two decades prior. Mace was hit again in 1956 by another avalanche resulting in the death of a 10-year-old boy and the destruction of five houses.

Section:Gallery

Fri., Jan. 10, 2020

On March 2, 1956, the town of Mace, Idaho, was hit by a massive avalanche that destroyed five houses and killed a 10-year-old boy.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive Sr
Residents of Mace, Idaho, search for victims of a massive avalanche in Burke Canyon in late February 1910. It was one of the most devastating slides in the history of the North Idaho mining area.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive Sr
Residents of Mace, Idaho, search for victims of a massive avalanche in Burke Canyon in late February 1910. It was one of the most devastating slides in the history of the North Idaho mining area.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive Sr
Piles of debris were all that remained of several houses destroyed by an avalanche in Mace, Idaho, in 1954.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive
On March 2, 1956, the town of Mace, Idaho, was hit by a massive avalanche that destroyed five houses and killed a 10-year-old boy.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive
On March 2, 1956, the town of Mace, Idaho, was hit by a massive avalanche that destroyed five houses and killed a 10-year-old boy.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive
On March 2, 1956, the town of Mace, Idaho, was hit by a massive avalanche that destroyed five houses and killed a 10-year-old boy.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive
On March 2, 1956, the town of Mace, Idaho, was hit by a massive avalanche that destroyed five houses and killed a 10-year-old boy.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive
On March 2, 1956, the town of Mace, Idaho, was hit by a massive avalanche that destroyed five houses and killed a 10-year-old boy.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive
On March 2, 1956, the town of Mace, Idaho, was hit by a massive avalanche that destroyed five houses and killed a 10-year-old boy.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive
The town of Mace, Idaho, was hit by two huge avalanches on March 29, 1894.

The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive