Idaho Ghost Towns
The story behind the Ghost Towns in Idaho is much the same as elsewhere, minerals were found, boom towns sprang up, then the minerals ran out and the towns were abandoned. However, the two Idaho Ghost Towns that we feature here have a curious twist to the usual scenario. Both are at risk, not from neglect and decay, but from re-population. Both towns were buzzing with people when we visited. Placerville is most at risk as new buildings have been built in and around the town and the roads were busy with 4x4s (SUVs) and quad bikes. In Silver City many of the buildings were being worked on, but at least here the objective appears to be renovation of the old buildings rather than construction of new buildings.
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Silver City from Our Lady of Tears Church
The history of Silver City begins in 1865 when rich silver ore was discovered on War Eagle Mountain, overlooking the the town. It soon grew to be the Owyhee County Seat with a population of 2,500. Slow decline began from 1889 but the hotel managed to stay open until 1942. Silver City’s preservation has been helped by its remote location in the south west of Idaho. There are two routes to it, both about 32 kilometres (20 miles) long. When we visited the road from the Route 78 south of Murphy has been surfaced (paved) for the first 10 kilometres (6 miles) and the remainder was well maintained apart from a rough stretch entering Silver City. The other route from Jordan Valley in Oregon is rougher and 2 wheel drive vehicles may struggle in the uphill direction.
Placerville Cemetery
Placerville’s current population of around 60 is swelled in season by the occupants of summer homes. This has brought pressure for modern facilities which is progressively destroying the history of the town. For example, the old and derelict gas station that could be seen a few years back has been replaced by a modern working gas station. One place that still tells the story of Placerville’s boom years is the cemetery. Set in trees above the town, here you can find out many things about the early settlers such as where they came from and how young they died.
City Hall, Mercantile & Magnolia Saloon, Placerville
The manicured lawn gives a clue that Placerville is no longer as ghostly as it once was. Summer homes have sprung up in and around the town and much of the road leading to the town is now surfaced (paved). Placerville was founded in 1862 as a supply base for miners prospecting for gold in the Boise Basin. The town reached a population of over 3,500 in 1863, but only 7 years later it had shrunk to less than 400. At the end of the 19th century the much of Placerville was destroyed in a fire. A few old buildings survive, the Boise Basin Mercantile and Magnolia Saloon being preserved as museums. Click Tab 2 to see the interior of the Boise Basin Mercantile.
Idaho Hotel, Silver City
The original county seat was called Ruby City, about 1.5 kilometres (1 mile) from here, but in 1866 the boom town of Silver City took over the role and Ruby City went into decline. The Idaho Hotel originally stood in Ruby City, but in 1866 it was moved to Silver City and the first of several extensions was added. The decline of Silver City resulted in closure in 1942 and it was derelict until Ed Jagels bought it in 1972. He reopened the hotel and began the task of restoring it, not easy task in a remote location 1900 metres (6200 feet) high in the Owyhee Mountains. When Ed died in 2001 he had made considerable progress and friends are continuing the work to realise his dream of full restoration. Click Tab 2 to see a view of the hotel from the rear.
Lippincott Building, Knapp Drug Store & County Office Building, Silver City
There are plenty of empty plots in Silver City where buildings once stood, so it is nice to find a block that is virtually intact even if the view is blocked by parked 4x4s (SUVs). The Lippincott Building painted yellow and green once housed a doctor’s surgery and the two tone green building to its right was the Knapp Drug Store. The lower building to the right of the drug store is still in use as a shop but at one time it was the County Office Building. The building just visible behind the shop is the Idaho Hotel.
Brewery Vat, Butchers Shop, General Store & Barbers, Silver City,
Despite the gaps where buildings have long gone, there are places in Silver City where, but for the parked vehicles, you can imagine that you are back in the boom times. This cluster of buildings in Washington Street is a great example. On the left stands an old brewery vat that has been turned into a street kiosk. The building on the left was a butcher’s shop and it still carries a ‘Meat Market’ sign. The middle building was a general store that remained in business right up to 1942. On the right stands a small barber’s shop and bath house.
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© Mike Elsden 1981 - 2025
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