Historic Silver City, Idaho

Historic Silver City, Idaho

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver Silver City, Idaho. 1892. (#6018-140) Historical Photograph Collection, University of Idaho Library, Moscow, Idaho.

Silver City, Idaho. 1892. (#6018-140) Historical Photograph Collection, University of Idaho Library, Moscow, Idaho. [Image: Public Domain, via Wikipedia]

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. The Idaho Hotel, left. Photograph by Kristin Holt in 2016.

Historic Silver City, with The Idaho Hotel at a distance, left. Photograph by Kristin Holt in 2016.

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In its heyday Silver city had six general stores, two hardware stores, a tin shop, two meat markets, two hotels, four restaurants, eight saloons, a bakery, a shoe shop, a foundry, a photograph gallery, a brewery, a soda bottling works, two livery stables, a feed store, three drug stores, a jeweler, three blacksmiths, a furniture store and undertaking parlor, two lumber yards, a tailor shop, three barber shops, a newspaper, four lawyers and two doctors and a miner’s Union hospital.

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~ Daytrip Destination: Silver City, Eagle Informer, July 2011

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage photograph featuring Getchell Drug Store and Post Office, Silver City (privately owned). Image courtesy of leblogusadedom.com.

Getchell Drug Store and Post Office, Silver City (privately owned). Image courtesy of leblogusadedom.com. Business partially visible on far left is the Silver Slipper Saloon.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. 2016: Getchell Drug Store and Post Office. Photo, Kristin Holt.

2016: Getchell Drug Store and Post Office. Photo, Kristin Holt.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Portrait of a woman, standing inside her home, with many potted houseplants. Image: Silver City, Owyhee County, Idaho, Public Domain. Image: P1960-139-22 Idaho State Archives.

Vintage portrait of a woman, standing inside her home, with many potted houseplants. Image: Silver City, Owyhee County, Idaho, Public Domain. Image: P1960-139-22 Idaho State Archives.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage shop stands in Silver City, with "Barber Shop" sign in window. Look at that gorgeous front door! Photographed by Kristin Holt, 2016.

Vintage shop stands in Silver City, with “Barber Shop” sign in window. Look at that gorgeous front door! Photographed by Kristin Holt, 2016.

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Historic Photo of Main Street, Silver City, Idaho. Image date 1894-1896. Location: Silver City, Owyhee County, Idaho. Public Domain. Courtesy of Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society, Identifier: P1960-139-7.

Historic Photo of Main Street, Silver City, Idaho. Image date 1894 1896. Location: Silver City, Owyhee County, Idaho. Public Domain. Courtesy of Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society, Identifier: P1960-139-7.

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Silver City is a ghost town in Owyhee County, Idaho, United States. At its height in the 1880s, it was a gold and silver mining town with a population of around 2,500 and approximately 75 businesses. Silver City served as county seat of Owyhee County from 1867 to 1934. Today, the town has about 70 standing buildings.

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…Silver City was founded in 1864 soon after silver was discovered at nearby War Eagle Mountain. The settlement grew quickly and was soon considered one of the major cities in Idaho Territory. The first daily newspaper and telegraph office in Idaho Territory were established in Silver City. The town was also among the first places in present-day Idaho to receive electric and telephone service.

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~ Silver City, Idaho, Wikipedia

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Photo of a vintage telephone, with crank, mouthpiece, exposed bells, and wooden case. Telephone on display at The Idaho Hotel. Photographed by Kristin Holt, 2016.

Vintage telephone, with crank, mouthpiece, exposed bells, and wooden case. Telephone on display at The Idaho Hotel.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Millions of dollars of ore shipped out on wagons from Silver City, Idaho.k Vintage Photograph.

Millions of dollars of ore shipped out on wagons from Silver City, Idaho. Eight horses pull the wagon laden with ore. Notice the power pole (rising behind (and between) the two men on the wagon seat. A lamp post stands before the buildings, just off the photo’s center.

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"Shipments of bullion by Wells, Fargo and Co., from their office in Ruby (Silver) City, for January 1869, amount in the aggregate to $114,000 coin, or $152,000 currency." From Owyhee Semi-Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, Idaho Territory, February 2, 1869.

“Shipments of bullion by Wells, Fargo and Co., from their office in Ruby (Silver) City, for January 1869, amount in the aggregate to $114,000 coin, or $152,000 currency.” From Owyhee Semi-Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, Idaho Territory, February 2, 1869.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage photograph of Wells Fargo in Silver City, Idaho. Image courtesy of Pinterest.

Vintage photograph of Wells Fargo in Silver City, Idaho. Image courtesy of Pinterest.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Photo of historic church, Our Lady of Tears, in Silver City. Photo by Kristin Holt, 2016.

Photo of historic church, Our Lady of Tears, in Silver City. Photo by Kristin Holt, 2016.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage photograph: Stage at courthouse, Silver City, Idaho Territory. Image courtesy of Leblogusadedom (see link).

Stage at courthouse, Silver City, Idaho Territory. Image courtesy of leblogusadedom.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Birth announcement in Owyhee Semi-Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, Idaho Territory on December 18, 1868: "Born at the Idaho Hotel, Dec. 17, 1868, to the wife of C. M. Hays, a daughter."

Birth announcement in Owyhee Semi-Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, Idaho Territory on December 18, 1868. “Born at the Idaho Hotel…”

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. The Idaho Hotel photographed by Kristin Holt, 2016.

The Idaho Hotel photographed by Kristin Holt, 2016.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage photograph: Troops Leaving Silver City for Sampson's fleet. Photographed in front of Idaho Hotel, 1898. Image courtesy of Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society. P1960-139-24, Idaho State Archives.

Troops Leaving Silver City for Sampson’s fleet. Photographed in front of Idaho Hotel, May 1898. Image courtesy of Idaho State Historical Society. P1960-139-24, Idaho State Archives.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. 1890 photogrpah of people and horses on a street in Silver City, Idaho. Image courtesy of leblogusadedom.com.

1890 photogrpah of people and horses on a street in Silver City, Idaho. Image courtesy of leblogusadedom.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Remnants of mining history in Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

Remnants of mining history in Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, Kristin Holt.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Image: Owyhee Trade Dollar Mine circa 1900. Image courtesy of Western Mining History. See link!

Owyhee Trade Dollar Mine circa 1900. Image courtesy of Western Mining History.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Mining operation relics in historic Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

Mining operation relics in historic Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, Kristin Holt.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage Photograph: Downtown Silver City, Freighting. Image Courtesy of howtofindgoldnuggets.com.

Downtown Silver City, Freighting. Image Courtesy of howtofindgoldnuggets.com.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Remnants of mining operation in historic Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

Remnants of mining operation in historic Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage photograph: Smith's Freight Team in Silver City, in front of office of the Probate Judge Wm. E. Lewis and Co. Image Courtesy of Idaho State Archives: P1960-139-3.

Smith’s Freight Team in Silver City, in front of office of the Probate Judge Wm. E. Lewis and Co. Image Courtesy of Idaho State Historical Society. P1960-139-3, Idaho State Archives.

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1899: The Silver City mining district was the nation’s second ranking silver producing area, surpassed only the Comstock load of Nevada.

~Daytrip Destination: Silver City, Eagle Informer, July 2011

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Note the open pit beneath the grating (to protect people from falling into the mining shaft). The mountainside surrounding (and within city limits) Silver City is riddled with mines. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

Note the open pit beneath the grating (to protect people from falling into the mining shaft). The mountainside surrounding (and within city limits) Silver City is riddled with mines. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City. 1868 Photograph of Opposition Stage Office in Silver City. Image courtesy of Western Mining History.

1868 Photograph of Opposition Stage Office in Silver City. Image courtesy of Western Mining History.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Photograph: Intersection of Washington and an alley in historic Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

Intersection of Washington and Deadman Alley in historic Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, Kristin Holt.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Victorian photograph taken in Silver City by unknown photographer. Unidentified persons sitting on porch of a cabin. Image courtesy of: Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society. Identifier: P1960-139-11.

Victorian photograph taken in Silver City by unknown photographer. Unidentified persons sitting on porch of a cabin. Image courtesy of: Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society. Identifier: P1960-139-11.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Privately owned historic residence. Note the window panes and stone foundation. Photo taken by Kristin Holt in 2016.

Privately owned historic residence. Note the window panes and stone foundation. Photo taken by Kristin Holt in 2016.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Private residence in Silver City. Photographed by Kristin Holt, 2016.

Another view of private residence in Silver City.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage image taken July 4, 1894: Silver City, looking north on the tree-lined Washington Street. Crowd is watching a drilling contest. Image courtesy of Idaho State Historical Society: P1960-139-5, Idaho State Archives.

July 4, 1894: Silver City, looking north on the tree-lined Washington Street. Crowd is watching a drilling contest on Independence Day. Image courtesy of Idaho State Historical Society: P1960-139-5, Idaho State Archives.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Photograph: All buildings and residences in Silver City, Idaho are privately owned. Many have been lovingly restored. Note the steep banks against which many buildings are set. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

Historic private residence in Silver City.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Twelve women posed on a porch in Silver City, Idaho by unknown photographer. Styles indicate 1890s. Image credit: Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society. Identifier: P1960-139-16.

Twelve women posed on a porch in Silver City, Idaho by unknown photographer. Styles indicate 1890s. Image credit: Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society. Identifier: P1960-139-16.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Photo of boarded-up businesses. Private buildings in Silver City. Photo taken by Kristin Holt in 2016.

Structures standing in Silver City. Privately owned. Photo by Kristin Holt in 2016.

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A Fire occurred on Jordan Street on Monday night, nearly opposite the Snug Saloon, which, but for the timely appearance of George Gilmore on the spot, would have destroyed the town in a very short time. A sharp lookout should be kept for fire. We can’t always escape, but dilligence [sic] may put off the evil day. Means should immediately be raised and a pipe procured for the waterworks. Every man, woman and child is interested. A fire would turn us all out in the cold.

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~ Semi-Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, Idaho Territory. December 18, 1868.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage photograph attributed to Silver City, Idaho. Shows men in a saloon, with a long mahogany bar.

Vintage photograph attributed to Silver City, Idaho. Shows men in a saloon, with a long mahogany bar. Courtesy of GhostTowns.com.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Image: private historical residence in Silver City. Photo by Kristin Holt, 2016.

Private historical residence in Silver City. Photo by Kristin Holt, 2016.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage photograph of a cabin, heavily laden wagon, and six horses. Image courtesy of GhostTown.com.

Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage photograph of a cabin, heavily laden wagon, and six horses. Image courtesy of GhostTown.com. Attributed to Silver City, Idaho.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Photo: Stone steps and garden gate to an historic private residence in Silver City. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

Stone steps and garden gate to an historic private residence in Silver City. Image: 2016, by Kristin Holt. Note the screen door!

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage photograph of a group on a residential porch in Silver City, Idaho. Individuals are mostly unidentified. Furthest left is Henry Swanholm, next to him is Permeal French the first woman to serve as State Super of Public Instruction, 1898-1903. Child is Lucielle Lippincott. Image: Public Domain. Image courtesy of Idaho State Archives, Idaho state Historical Society. Identifier: P1960-139-9.

Vintage photograph of a group on a residential porch in Silver City, Idaho. Furthest left is Henry Swanholm, next to him is Permeal French the first woman to serve as State Super of Public Instruction, 18981903. Image: Public Domain. Image courtesy of Idaho State Archives, Idaho state Historical Society. Identifier: P1960-139-9. Take note of the best-dress 1890s balloon sleeves, fancy ladies’ hats, and men’s suits of clothes. The men have removed their hats, a matter of etiquette.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Photo: Stoddard Mansion, a restored private residence in Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

Stoddard Mansion; a restored private residence in Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, Kristin Holt.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Front view of the Historic Stoddard Mansion in Silver City. Image via flickr.

Front view of the Historic Stoddard Mansion in Silver City. Image via flickr.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Photo: Creek running through Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

Creek running through Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, Kristin Holt.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. 1896 Aerial View of Silver City, Idaho Territory. Reprint for sale.

1896 Aerial View of Silver City, Idaho Territory. Reprint for sale.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. From Owyhee Semi Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, Idaho Territory on December 22,1868. "School Vacation. -- Mr. Hill informs us that the Christmas vacation in his school will commence on Thursday, the 24th inst. and continue till the first Monday after the New Year, when the pupils are expected to assemble in the school room at the usual hour."

From Owyhee Semi Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, Idaho Territory on December 22, 1868.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. From Owyhee Semi-Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, January 29, 1869. Announcement of school back in session after teacher's illness and school closure.

From Owyhee Semi-Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, January 29, 1869. Announcement of school back in session after teacher’s illness.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Photo: Silver City historic school (white, on the left) and Masonic Lodge (brown, on the right). Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

Silver City historic school (white, on the left) and Masonic Lodge (brown, on the right). The schoolhouse is the only fully restored building in Silver City. Image: 2016,  Kristin Holt. Did you notice small outhouses scattered near residences and other buildings?

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Fraternities meet at Masonic Hall in Silver City, Idaho Territory. Published in Owyhee Semi-Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, Idaho Territory, December 18, 1868.

Fraternities meet at Masonic Hall in Silver City, Idaho Territory. Published in Owyhee Semi-Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, Idaho Territory, December 18, 1868. Don’t miss the “Genuine Havana Cigars” ad (bottom) at J. Huelat & Co.’s.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Photo: Historic Hoffer Miller Meat Market in Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

Historic Hoffer Miller Meat Market. Silver City, Idaho. Image: 2016, taken by Kristin Holt.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho Territory. From Owyhee Semi-Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, January 15, 1869. Butcher demands payment from all who owe him.

From Owyhee Semi-Weekly Tidal Wave of Silver City, January 15, 1869. Butcher  Philip Kohlheyer demands payment from all who owe him.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver city, Idaho. Vintage Photograph (Taken Labor Day, 1896) Labor Day Parade in Silver City 1896. Image courtesy of Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society, Identifier: P1960-139-6.

Vintage Photograph (1896) Labor Day Parade in Silver City. Image courtesy of Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historical Society, Identifier: P1960-139-6.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Partially standing remains of stone-walled buildings in Silver City. Photographed by Kristin Holt, 2016.

Partially standing remains of stone-walled Silver City buildings. Photographed by Kristin Holt, 2016.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Vintage photograph of Silver City, Idaho. Taken about 1900. Image courtesy of hmdb.org.

Vintage photograph of Silver City, Idaho. Taken about 1900. Image courtesy of hmdb.org.

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Quilt on display in Ladies Parlor of Idaho Hotel. Each quilt block features a photograph of an historic structure (business, home, church, etc.) in Silver City, Idaho. Photo 2016, Kristin Holt.

Quilt on display in Ladies Parlor of Idaho Hotel. Each quilt block features a photograph of an historic structure (business, home, church, etc.) of Silver City, Idaho. Photo 2016, Kristin Holt.

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Owyhee County, Idaho

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Kristin Holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Image showing location of Owyhee County, Idaho (south-east corner). [Image: Public Domain, courtesy of Wikipedia]

Owyhee County, Idaho (south-west corner). [Image: Public Domain, courtesy of Wikipedia]

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History

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On December 31, 1863, Owyhee County became the first county organized by the Idaho Territorial Legislature. While Boise, Idaho, Nez Perce and Shoshone counties were organized under the laws of Washington Territory, they were not recognized by the Idaho Territory until February 1864. The original county seat at Ruby City was moved to nearby Silver City in 1867

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Owyhee County’s history is closely linked to the mining boom that dominated Idaho Territory in the second half of the 19th century. Silver City and Ruby City are among the state’s most noteworthy ghost towns from the period. At its height in the 1880s, Owyhee County was among the most populous places in Idaho. Today it is among the least populous, at 1.4 persons per square mile (0.5 per km²).

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~ Owyhee County, Idaho, Wikipedia

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Jacquie Rogers’s Much Ado About Silver City

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Why was I in Silver City? To meet up with author Jacquie Rogers, of course!

#JacquieRogersAdo16

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Kristin holt | Historic Silver City, Idaho. Jacquie Rogers's MUCH ADO ABOUT SILVER CITY event held in the historic ghost town, June 17-19, 2016. Image: courtesy of Jacquie Rogers.

Jacquie Rogers’s MUCH ADO ABOUT SILVER CITY event. Held in the historic ghost town, June 17-19, 2016. Image courtesy of Jacquie Rogers.

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Updated April 2022
Copyright © 2016 Kristin Holt LC
Historic Silver City, Idaho
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