Discovery of Gold at Pierce The initial discovery of gold in the Clearwater River region is credited to a group of prospectors led by E.D. Pierce in 1860. They found gold along Orofino Creek, a tributary of the Clearwater River. This was actually the first major gold rush in Idaho, and it brought […]
Prospectors in southern Idaho are well acquainted with the geological richness of mountains surrounding Boise. After all, Idaho is the Gem State, well known for its natural beauty and bountiful mineral richness. A tributary of the Snake River, the Boise River is 102 miles long and its watershed covers a whopping 4,100 square miles of […]
The Snake River in the US state of Idaho has a long history of gold mining. However, early geological reports indicate that for the most part, the occurrence of gold there was somewhat limited in relation to the other gold districts in Idaho. The river course spans across from Western Wyoming to the confluence with […]
The central Idaho mountains enjoyed a rich history of gold mining. This remote area is brimming with gold and other precious minerals. In the 1860s, gold was discovered in several areas in the Salmon River Wilderness that led to substantial mining booms. One such event occurred at Warren, and for a short time it was […]
Owyhee County encompasses a vast desert known primarily for it rugged deep canyons and rich ranching heritage. There isn’t much gold in most of the county, and there has been limited mining activity for the most part. This changed when placer gold was discovered in Jordan Creek. The placers brought miners to explore this remote […]
Gold was discovered in the state of Idaho in 1860 and thousands of miners moved in the surrounding mining areas (primarily the California goldfields) in the hope of striking it rich. Many gold strikes continued as the years went on, and the remoteness of many areas meant that gold continued to be found for decades. […]
Bayhorse is one of the nicest ghost towns in Idaho. It certainly wasn’t the largest mining town in Idaho – not even close. However, it’s picturesque location in rugged central Idaho along with it’s well-preserved structures make it a fascinating place to explore. In its heydays, the town was home to hundreds of miners who […]
The Yankee Fork Gold Dredge is located in a remote river valley in central Idaho. The nearest town of any size is Stanley, and it’s relatively easy to get to by taking a relatively well-maintained gravel road off of Highway 75. Two historic towns located nearby are Custer and Bonanza, both of which have been […]
They may not have known it when the first flakes of gold were found, but gold discoveries throughout the Boise Basin would eventually become the largest gold strike in Idaho history. It all began with the Indians… In 1862 George Grimes was living a peaceful life in Walla Walla, Washington until he heard […]
Idaho is a state with some extremely remote areas, so use your head and don’t go into the backcountry unless you are well prepared. Make certain that you have all the supplies you will need – not just for prospecting but for keeping yourself safe. Never venture in with food, water, and first aid supplies. […]