Did you see our article in the Sept/Oct 2011 issue of Gold Prospectors magazine (pages 20-26)? The Silver Valley is packed with fun family activities such as underground mine tours (see below), mining museums and you can also camp, hike, bike ride, ski, hunt for star garnets, prospect, and even visit the oldest standing building in the state of Idaho— the Sacred Heart Mission located in nearby Cataldo. If you're not a member of GPAA and don't get the magazine, download a .pdf of the article here to learn more about the Silver Valley's 120 years of mining history. Or read about these two fun underground mining tours—Sierra Silver Mine and the Crystal Gold Mine:
Take a Tour of the Sierra Silver Mine in Wallace, Idaho
"If it's not grown, it's got to be mined," Lenny the mine guide stated matter-of-factly as he led our hard hat-wearing group into the dim, damp underground Sierra Silver Mine outside of Wallace, Idaho. "If you really think about it, you'll realize how true that is," he continued proudly. "The manufacture of everyday products requires silver, gold, copper, lead, zinc and other minerals."
Nicknamed "Smurf" by his former co-workers because of his short stature, the retired hard-rock-miner-turned-tour-guide entertained and educated us for about an hour as we toured the fascinating mine and learned its history. Through humorous yet true stories of his career as a miner, we were surprised to hear that the tools of the trade haven't changed much over the last 100 years. Long pneumatic drills are still used to bore holes into rock, and the holes are then filled with explosives. Although the noise during the drill demonstration was deafening, it lasted for just a few seconds, and it helped us to better understand the working conditions endured by hard rock miners. After Lenny's enjoyable and educational tour, our group re-boarded the vintage trolley that had brought us out to the mine, and listened to the driver as he pointed out local landmarks during the short and scenic ride back into downtown Wallace.
Wallace, Idaho, known officially as the Silver Capital of the World, is just one of 14 historic towns tucked into Idaho's Silver Valley. The Valley stretches about 40 miles, mostly along Interstate 90 between the Coeur d'Alene River and the Montana border, and got its name because the silver deposits first found here in the early 1880s were some of the richest ever discovered. The Valley's Coeur d'Alene Mining District is still one of the largest silver mining regions in the world, and has produced more than a billion ounces over the past century.
To get up a real sense of 125 years of silver mining history, an underground tour of the Sierra Silver Mine can't be beat. It's fun and informative for the entire family, and if you like to camp, fish, and hike, you'll find plenty of opportunities for even more outdoor recreation in Idaho's Silver Valley.
Going Underground for Gold in Kellogg, Idaho
A highlight of Idaho's Coeur d'Alene Mining District is actually found in low light conditions— at the authentic Crystal Gold Mine. Dress warmly, don a bright yellow hard hat, grab a flashlight, and follow your tour guide into the underground world of gold mining. For over 100 years, no one knew this mine existed. The original prospector simply disappeared, leaving his mine car, track, tools, and high-grade gold ore behind—sure signs he intended to come back, but strangely never did. During the years that the mine was lost and undisturbed, beautiful turquoise-colored blue smithsonite crystals formed on the walls. While underground, you’ll also see gold and wire silver, too. After the tour, pan for gold outdoors under the tutelage of your mine guide. Even if there’s no flash in your pan, you might find a star garnet—Idaho’s state stone—or befriend a couple of old-time prospectors in the gift shop! Click here for more to see and do in Kellogg, Idaho.
Gold Mining History in Death Valley National Park
Did you know that Death Valley has more abandoned mines than any other national park? Thousands of abandoned mines are scattered across the park’s 5,200+ square miles. It’s not surprising when you consider that gold, silver, lead, zinc, antimony, flourspar, cinnabar, Epsom salts, mercury, tungsten, copper, borax, talc, sodium chloride, and manganese all have been mined here over the years. Most mines are closed to the public and in need of safety improvements, but the Eureka Mine has been stabilized, making it easy to follow in the path of the early gold prospectors. Take two flashlights when you enter the tunnels, one for use and one for backup.
All gold prospectors got started the same way— they looked for veins of quartz or seams of red or yellow iron-stained rock. Miners followed these veins, drilling and blasting to break the ore loose, they then sent the ore to mills to extract the gold. A profitable mine would yield about an ounce of gold per ton of ore.
Of all the prospectors and miners who toiled here, only one— Pete Aguereberry— persisted. Born in France in 1874, at an early age he read about the wonderful gold discoveries in California and couldn’t wait to become a prospector. He realized his dream at age 16 when he set sail for America and made his way to California. Beginning in 1907, Pete worked his claim for 40 years, mostly by himself. Historians estimate that he extracted about $175,000 worth of gold (then valued at $20 per ounce) during his lifetime (he died in 1945). Aguereberry camp still stands in a state of decay, so stop and take a look around when you explore the Eureka Mine. Pete’s original two-room house, including an antique gas stove and refrigerator, are still in their places. Outbuildings and two other “guest” cabins are next to it.
Not far from the Eureka Mine is Mr. Aguereberry’s Cashier Mill. Powered by gasoline engines, the mill pulverized the ore, then chemical processes using mercury and cyanide extracted the gold. To reach this area in Death Valley National Park, take Hwy. 190 past Stovepipe Wells and up Emigrant Campground. Turn left following the signs to Wildrose. In about 10 miles there will be a turn off for Aguereberry Point. Turn here and you’ll arrive at Aguereberry camp a mile down the road. Eureka Mine is within walking distance; Cashier Mill is a short drive. The park’s interpretive signs and maps point the way. The Eureka Mine is closed by a bat gate in the winter due to hibernating Townsend's long eared bats. The mine reopens again in spring.
Sumpter, Oregon: A Gold Mining Ghost Town That is Still Alive
When prospectors first discovered gold near Oregon's Powder River in 1862, the gold rush of eastern Oregon was on! In fact, over 10,000 mining claims were filed in Baker County during Oregon's gold rush, and boomtowns like Sumpter sprang up almost instantly. You can still get a sense of this area's rich history by visiting Sumpter today. Tucked away in Oregon's Elkhorn Mountain Range surrounded by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, there's enough natural beauty and historic sites to keep your family busy for days!
Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area
Not many gold dredges of yesteryear are still on public display, but luckily you can peek inside a massive 1,240- ton YUBA style dredge at the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area, located on the edge of town. Built in 1935, it produced $4.5 million in gold until 1954 (gold was then $35 an ounce. It's hard to believe all that bulk actually floated on its own small pond, but that's exactly how the dredge moved from place to place—digging into the soil in a sideways pattern creating a constant pool of water that came from the Powder River. The dredge ran 24 hours a day/7 days a week in all weather, requiring three shifts of about 20 men each. The workmen had just two days off each year—Christmas and Independence Day—and earnings were only 90 cents an hour for oilers and $1.10 per hour for winchmen. What a way to earn a living!
Contact the Oregon Bureau of Land Management at 503-808-6002 to determine which streams and rivers are open to the public for recreational gold panning.
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