Idaho Ghost Towns

Silver City is located in the Owyhee mountain range. Gold was discovered along Jordan Creek in 1863 and that started the rush to the Owyhees. First the activity was limited to the creek but it did not take long for the rich deposit of silver and gold to be discovered in the nearby mountains (War Eagle Mountain). Some of the mines where fabulously rich and caused intense rivalries and legal battles. Occasionally they settled their dispute the old fashion way, with guns. One such battle between the Golden Chariot and Ida Elmore mine cost several miners there lives and it took the US Cavalry arriving to stop the fighting.

From Boise Idaho, find and head for the town of Murphy. There are road signs along the highway that will actually point you to Silver City. A few miles east of Murphy you will come to the turn off to Silver City, it starts off as a pavement road heading straight for the Owyhee Mountains. In a few miles it will change to gravel and you will begin a very stunning drive up into the mountains. Some parts our a little steep but the views are incredible. Summer time drive is not very hard, just take your time and make sure you have a decent set of tires. Winter the road is closed due to snow. In the fall the road can almost be un-drivable due to flash floods ect. They do maintain the road though, so if it closed for that reason just come back in a month and try again.

You pass over New York summit, one of many great spots for pictures and then drop down into Silver City. You will come to a T in the road, right starts to take you out toward Jordan Valley, take the left and almost immediately you will start to see old cabins. After about a mile you will be in the city, almost unchanged after all the years. Homes are privately owned so respect that fact please. You will find a Hotel that has Burgers, drinks, and you can even still rent a room for the night(I have been told it is haunted).A general store for gifts and a walk around the city you will find a beautiful church that still has service a few times a year, school house, Masonic temple and lots more. I recommend purchasing the War Eagle tour book from the hotel, very interesting reading and describes the whole town and drive step by step. I will add more pictures as I get them of some of the mines, some gold I found, and even a picture of a ghost in the upper window of the school house (allegedly). I hope someone finds this interesting and I will respond to any question as best as I can