Idaho definitely wouldn’t be the state it is today without the mining industry. Several of Idaho’s mining towns still stand today as poignant reminders of this important part of Idaho’s past. The Gem State produced an impressive amount of gold, silver, zinc, and lead back in the mining industry’s heyday. The Silver Valley region of Idaho alone produced over a billion ounces of silver! Idaho is a state with an incredible history thanks to the thousands of miners who flocked here during the late 19th century. Check out these amazing photos that show a glimpse of what the mining life was like in Idaho over a century ago.
The discovery of gold brought the first permanent settlers to the state and was what primarily caused the establishment of Idaho as a territory in 1863.
Silver, lead, and zinc deposits were discovered near Coeur d'Alene by the late 1800's. In the photo above, miners work the machinery at a quartz mine in the Coeur d'Alene mining district. (1915)
Gold was first discovered along the Clearwater River in 1860. Around 10,000 miners flocked to Idaho shortly after news of the discovery of gold got out.
Idaho's gold industry was actually very modest. However, the state produces a massive amount of silver to this day . The three richest silver mines in the entire country are located right here in Idaho.
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Idaho's Silver Valley is the richest silver mining region in the world. Yes, the world.
The Pulaski tunnel is where "Big Ed" Pulaski and his men holed up in order to escape one of the harshest wildfires to sweep across Idaho. Today, it's a popular hiking trail.
This photo was taken of a miner in a Coeur d'Alene mine in 1916.
Idaho continues to have a strong presence in the mining industry. Today, the Coeur d'Alene area produces more silver than all of the rest of the states put together.
Many of the mining "boom towns" were abandoned once the gold and silver ran out. However, a few remain with a small number of residents.
Silver City has just a handful of residents today, but during the gold rush boasted a population of around 2,500 people. The region produced silver up until the last mining operation closed down at the start of the second World War.
One of the largest mining camps in the state was Idaho City in the Boise Basin. With 250 businesses and a never failing water supply, the Boise Basin became a popular place for families to settle down.
