There is something eerie and humbling to be said about walking down the uneven dirt roads and empty landmarks of Idaho’s numerous ghost towns. A mere century ago, the lure of gold, precious ore, and the hope of a new life brought thousands of people to the Gem State, but after the dust had settled, Idaho’s mining towns went from thriving communities to hollow remnants. Yet, even today, their history is still as present as ever.
Silver City is one such case. This often overlooked but treasured part of Idaho’s “Wild West” lies in beautiful, aging disrepair in Southwest Idaho, somewhat between Jordan Valley, Oregon and Bruneau. Formerly a busy mining hub, the silver crash at the turn of the 20th century sent this bustling city into a rapid downward spiral, although it has recently begun to regain its popularity for good reason. Check out some of the history behind this former “boom town” and see why it’s such a must-visit.
Nestled in the Owyhees lies one of Idaho’s greatest treasures.
Kerry D. Kelley/Google Maps
Silver City, once a thriving mining town in Southern Idaho.
Christopher White/Flickr
At one time, this town was home to over 2,500 residents and dozens of businesses.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
It was here that the first daily Idaho newspaper was established.
Abandoned Idaho/Facebook Called the Owyhee Daily Avalanche, this paper was filled with news of prospectors striking it rich.
Silver City is also home to one of the most beautiful historical churches in the state: Our Lady of Tears.
Charles Knowles/Wikimedia Commons Originally named St. Andrew’s, this Catholic church was dedicated in 1868 before being renamed and rededicated in the 1920s.
But like hundreds of gold and silver meccas before it, Silver City began to rapidly decline in 1890 once the ore began to run out.
Abandoned Idaho/Facebook
Residents began to move away in search of the next mining opportunity…
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
…leaving the town to fall into disrepair.
Abandoned Idaho/Facebook
In the 1970s, however, the old Idaho Hotel reopened and the town began restoring itself as a historical destination.
Bureau of Land Management
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr A massive structure that stands out among the landscape, the Idaho Hotel was one of dozens of businesses to be relocated from Ruby City when the town lost its county seat status to Silver City. The hotel itself features beautiful hand-grained wood surfaces, but many portions are still closed to the public.
Many say that the hotel is haunted (although by whom, nobody is quite sure).
GiGi F.
But you’ll never know for yourself until you’ve stayed for a night!
Gigi F. Daring hotel guests and thrill-seekers wanting to “sleep with ghosts” are always given a history lesson along with their paranormal activity-filled stay.
Modernity and the past collide in this rustic homage to Idaho’s past.
BLM/Wikimedia Commons
Christopher White/Flickr
Abandoned Idaho/Facebook
And there’s definitely still a great deal of beauty left in this true Idaho landmark.
Abandoned Idaho/Facebook
But Silver City as seen from above will take your breath away:
A special thanks to AeroVideo for the stunning drone footage!
Kerry D. Kelley/Google Maps
Christopher White/Flickr
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Abandoned Idaho/Facebook
Called the Owyhee Daily Avalanche, this paper was filled with news of prospectors striking it rich.
Charles Knowles/Wikimedia Commons
Originally named St. Andrew’s, this Catholic church was dedicated in 1868 before being renamed and rededicated in the 1920s.
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
Bureau of Land Management
A massive structure that stands out among the landscape, the Idaho Hotel was one of dozens of businesses to be relocated from Ruby City when the town lost its county seat status to Silver City. The hotel itself features beautiful hand-grained wood surfaces, but many portions are still closed to the public.
GiGi F.
Gigi F.
Daring hotel guests and thrill-seekers wanting to “sleep with ghosts” are always given a history lesson along with their paranormal activity-filled stay.
BLM/Wikimedia Commons
Have you ever visited Silver City or any of Idaho’s other ghost towns? What did you think? If you haven’t, be sure to add it to your summer bucket list!
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