Kennicott OR Kennecott?

Eagle eyes may have noticed in recent posts that I sometimes write Kennicott ... and I sometimes write Kennecott. Both are accurate, but the latter is due to a typo that was made some 120 years ago.

What is the easiest way to know which spelling to use?

Use the “i” word for natural features such as the glacier, river, and valley. They were named after an early Alaska explorer by the name of Robert Kennicott.

Use the “e” word for the mining company that started it all, the mines, and the mill town. In other words, use it for the man-made features in the area. That said, the locals have started using the “i” word to refer to their community. I’m going to use the “e” word as that is still the officially recorded name.Read more