Historic Idaho City, Idaho
When you are looking at towns that truly capture the essence of the old west and the gold mine era then you will want to visit the little town of Idaho City in the central area of the state. Gold was discovered on Grimes Creek in 1862 and that began the stampede of gold miners to the Boise Basin. The basin was one of the major discoveries of the gold rush so it brought people from all over to come and seek their fortunes. Although most of the old mine towns have died off after the gold ran out, Idaho City continues to exist and offer a chance to stroll through the town and see the history that remains. Many of the communities that sprung up during the gold mine time just fell to ruin and are forgotten, not Idaho City!
Prior to being known as Idaho City the community was known as Bannock City or West Bannock. The community had grown to a large 6,000 people in 1863 and was actually considered for the territorial capital, but a different choice was made and Idaho City had to exist without the honor of being the territorial capital. But, it did have the Boise News which came into production a year earlier than Boise itself had a newspaper.
In its heyday Idaho City was home to more than 250 businesses ranging from an opera and theater house to bowling alleys and everything in-between. Of course the saloons were a key part of the area, miners liked to visit them and brag about (or whine about) their search for gold. Men were constantly armed and ready to defend themselves if necessary. Pioneer Cemetery had losers from those fights as permanent guests with crude headstones telling the story of how they died.
With the gold running out the prospectors left the area. Then the fires began, the first in 1865 wiped out eighty percent of the buildings in town. Then there were the fires of 1867, 1868 and 1871 which also caused the community to suffer. Although it sounds as though that is a lot of fires you must remember how people heated their homes, cooked their food and so forth, fire was a critical part of their lives and dangerous. Dried wooden buildings were perfect tinder for fire and went up quickly. Because of the gold strike the community was rebuilt quickly following each fire. Today you can still see some of the best examples of early brick work and the design of the wooden architecture that remains in Idaho City. These historically significant buildings represent some of Idaho’s most important historical buildings. Visit Idaho City and get a true feeling of what life was like in the 1860′s.
When you are visiting you will want to listen as you walk along the boardwalks and think about those that passed over them many years ago and the stories they could tell. Let your imagination flow, look at the old “Merc” building where supplies were purchased for a pinch of gold, and see the old jail where inmates carved their names on the thick wooden walls. Visit the Boise Basin Museum and see the collection of gold rush memorabilia. Step into the old schoolhouse and look around, still in use the building has a real story to tell. When you are out for your stroll visit 
Pioneer Cemetery and read the ancient headboards which tell part of the story of the past.
Idaho City has accommodations, restaurants and recreational areas for you to enjoy when you are through with the historical portion of your visit. The area is surrounded by the Boise National Forest which is well worth visiting. Take a hike into the timbered mountains; sit by the crystal-clear creeks and rivers. When you are looking for unspoiled beauty of nature this area is certainly someplace to visit.
If you are a hunger you will enjoy hunting quarry such as elk, deer, and blue grouse in the fall. In the winter you can enjoy the 15 cross-country trails that criss cross the Basin. Take your snowmobiles along and you can roam more than 150 miles of Forest Service roads.
From the past to the present Idaho City is worth a visit.
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