Clover Island Inn $117.02
435 Clover Island Dr
(866) 586-0542
(2 Queens with River View, full hot breakfast, fridge, microwave, CM)
Check-in 3 p.m., checkout noon
Reserved 7/15/20, Cancel by 7/23/20

The area around Idaho City, it is said, gave up more gold than all of Alaska. Estimates are as high as $100 million. In addition, the town provided elegant theaters for its populace as well as rented surreys for Sunday afternoon jaunts around the town. It also sported four breweries and 41 saloons and the first Territorial Jail in Idaho. The first Catholic Church in Idaho still stands. Fires have destroyed many of the original frame buildings but those rebuilt with brick offer an interesting visit to the City's earlier years. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

Constructed in 1891, this two-story farm building replaced the original schoolhouse on the same site, and was used for seven decades. One of Idaho City's historic structures, the schoolhouse possesses a number of interesting details such as a two-story central bay projecting off the front of the building, a steep gable roof capped with a belfry, and a series of peaked lintels, repeated over the doors and windows.

Bonanza Ghost Town

These two towns are so closely related its difficult to know if one could have survived without the other that it might well be called the tale of two cities. Bonanza came to life in 1876 following the discovery of what became known as the General Custer Mine. The discovery was made on the 17th of August of that year and was the mother lode of Yankee Fork, a name already given to the general area. Three prospectors, a James Baxter, an E. K. Dodge and a Morton McKeim, the founders of the General Custer Mine, realized to develop what they had found required resources far beyond their means and sold out to the English firm of Hagen and Grayson. Actual construction of the town began in 1878 at a point near where Jordan Creek joined Yankee Fork. Bonanza was south of the General Custer Mine. A huge mill was constructed a short distance north of the mine which made necessary another business and residence center which became Custer. Both towns prospered and by 1890 virtually became one operated by common officials. But by 1903, miners agreed the end was in sight and by 1910 the population was down to a dozen families. The twin cities grew up together and died together.

This town is under reconstruction! It has been purchased by the U.S. Forestry Service, and 
in conjunction with the Friends of Custer Society, is slowly being made into a historic site. Some original buildings have already been renovated, some are in process, and many others are slated to be restored. Several buildings lost in a 1960's grass fire are due to be replaced with replicas. They have in place, now, a walking tour highlighting the existing buildings, and the sites of destroyed 
buildings. The old school house acts as a museum and starting point of the tour. The saloon (one of the original) across the street also houses historic memorabelia. Even though somewhat "touristy", this was a site well worth visiting. The tour is well structured, and is self conducted. It allows for education and a bit of daydreaming. Even the unrenovated structures are in very good condition, and interesting to view. The treatment of history and attention to detail is pleasing. 

Bonanza had two cemeteries; one that held the townsfolk from both Bonanza and Custer, and one that was a Boot Hill that only holds three marked graves.

 
Bayhorse Ghost Town

Prospectors discovered the first mineral deposits near Bayhorse in 1864. At this very early date, central Idaho was extremely remote and developing hard rock mines was impossible for the handful of prospectors in the area. It wouldn't be until the mid-1870s that additional discoveries were made and a rush commenced.

In 1877, a major lead-silver vein was discovered at the Ramshorn Mine. By 1878, a considerable rush to the area had begun.

During the first couple of years ore from the Ramshorn had to be shipped all the way to Salt Lake City for smelting. Even with the difficulty of transportation and ore processing at this time, the rich ore was still able to provide the mine owners with a profit.

In 1880, a smelter was constructed, and within two years charcoal kilns were constructed to provide the smelter with a local fuel source. Forty-eight men were employed to produce 80,000 bushels of charcoal for use at the smelter. The charcoal kilns were abandoned in 1885 when coke became available from Ketchum.

By the early 1880s, Bayhorse had a population of about 300 and a number of permanent buildings. The town had a meat market, a general store, several boarding houses, and a number of saloons.

In 1883, an aerial tramway was constructed at the Ramshorn mine to transport ore down to wagons which served the smelter.

Mining at Bayhorse peaked in 1888, but that would be the last year that the smelter and mines operated at full capacity.

Fire struck Bayhorse in 1889, destroying several prominent structures. Later that year a shortage of water slowed production at the mines. Declining silver and lead prices caused a shutdown of the Bayhorse mines in November.

The smelter was closed in 1889, reopened briefly in 1893 and 1894, but by 1897 was permanently closed and later dismantled

The mines at Bayhorse would return to production but after the closure of the Bayhorse smelter, smelting of Bayhorse ore was shifted to Clayton, roughly 17 miles away. Production continued at the Bayhorse mines until 1925.

Total production for the area has been estimated at more than $10 million, including approximately 200 oz. gold, 6.3 million oz. silver, 6.6 million lb. copper, 37 million lb. lead, and 39,000 lb. zinc.

The privately owned town was added to the Nation Register of Historic Places in 1976. In 2006, the state purchased the site and included it in the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park.

The most striking feature at the Bayhorse town site is the stamp mill, which was constructed in 1882. The mill, named after the Ramshorn Mine's owners Gilmer and Salisbury, had a long operating history. In the 1920's the mill was remodeled to transition to a more modern flotation process. No machinery remains at the mill today.

A short hike up the canyon takes visitors to the remains of the charcoal kilns. These kilns are not the most impressive, nor the best preserved in the West, but they still relate the interesting history of this remote mining camp.

Overall, Bayhorse is a worthwhile stop for travelers interested in mining or the Old West. Even if the towns state of preservation is not ideal, we can still be thankful that the town was preserved in the Idaho State Park system and can still be enjoyed by history enthusiasts.

Pioneer Motel
515 Madison
(406) 646-9705
($139.99-2 queens, $119.99 1 queen, AC, Microwave, Fridge, Coffemaker)
Cancel by July 28th, pay at arrival
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