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{{Infobox settlement
'''Silver City''' is a ] in ], ], ]. 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, all of which are privately owned. Many of the owners are third or fourth generation descendants of the original miners. There are a handful of small businesses, but no gas or service stations. The townsite and its surrounding area were designated as '''Silver City Historic District''' in 1972.
|official_name = Silver City, Idaho
|settlement_type = ]
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|image_skyline = SilverCityID.jpg
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 ]. 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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|image_caption = Silver City in 1892
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After the placer and quartz vein mines were played out around the time Idaho became a state in 1890 - and due in part to its extremely remote location - Silver City began a slow decline but was never completely abandoned. Small-scale mining continued off and on until World War II; the last mine to be operated all year round in Silver City was the Potossi managed by Ned Williams. The Idaho Hotel in Silver City was restored and re-opened in 1972.
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Silver City is located 25 miles southwest of ] via a dirt road.
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==References==
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{{reflist|2}}
|subdivision_name1 = ]
|subdivision_type2 = ]
|subdivision_name2 = ]


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==Further reading==
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|elevation_ft = 6168
|coordinates = {{coord|43|01|01|N|116|43|59|W|region:US-ID|display=inline,title}}

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|blank_info = 398130<ref name=GNIS>{{cite gnis|397625|Dewey}}</ref>
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'''Silver City''' is a ] in northwestern ], United States, that is listed on the ] (NRHP). At its height in the 1880s, it was a ] and ] town with a population of around 2,500 and approximately 75 businesses.

==Description==
Silver City served as ] of Owyhee County from 1867 to 1934. Today, the town has about 70 standing buildings, all of which are privately owned. Many of the owners are third- or fourth-generation descendants of the original miners. There are a handful of small businesses, but no ]. The property is now owned by the ], overseen by the ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wells|first1=Merle|title=Silver City Historic District|url=http://focus.nps.gov/nrhp/GetAsset?assetID=81af9a73-9cb3-49d2-9d29-6b330c385632|website=NPS Focus|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=3 November 2015|format=NRHP Nomination|date=1971}}</ref>
]

Silver City was founded in 1864 soon after ] was discovered at nearby War Eagle Mountain (elev. {{convert|8065|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}). The settlement grew quickly and was soon considered one of the major cities in ]. The first daily ] and ] office in Idaho Territory were established in Silver City. The town was also among the first places in present-day Idaho to receive ] and ] service. Along with ] in the ], these mining areas accelerated the growth of the capital city of ] as a staging and supply point.

The ] and ]s became depleted around the time Idaho became a state in 1890. Due in part to its extremely remote location, Silver City began a slow decline but was never completely abandoned. Small-scale mining continued off and on until ]; the last mine to be operated all year round in Silver City was the "Potossi," managed by Ned Williams. By the 1940s, there was only one permanent resident, Willie Hawes (1876–1968), who was born in town and was its mayor, police chief, fire chief, postman,&nbsp;etc.<ref name=lmtwhaws>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0rxeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ADEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2443%2C1034672 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |last=Day |first=Sam |title='Willie' Hawes holds every office in Silver City |date=July 11, 1955 |page=7}}</ref>

The Idaho Hotel in Silver City was restored and re-opened for tourists in 1972. It relies on the use of propane refrigerators and stoves in order to supply cold drinks and snacks or a complete meal to guests during the summer months. The rooms are fitted with indoor plumbing and furnished with antiques, making it a tourist destination.

In 1972, the townsite and its environs were listed on the ] as a ], the ''']''', with a total area of {{convert|10240|acre|sqmi km2|1}}.<ref name=mergersupport>{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>

{{US Census population
|1870=960
|1880=593
|1890=583
|1900=976
|1910=650
|1920=630
|1930=183
|1940=165
|1950=110
|1960=
|1970=
|1980=
|1990=
|2000=
|2010=
|estimate=
|estyear=
|estref=
| footnote=source:<ref>Moffatt, Riley. ''Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850-1990''. ]: Scarecrow, 1996, 98.</ref>
|}}

]

==Geography==
Silver City is located at an ] of {{convert|6179|ft}} above ]. It is located {{convert|25|mi|0}} southwest of ] (elev. {{convert|2820|ft}}), the current county seat, via a dirt road.

==See also==
* ]
* ]

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Silver City, Idaho}}
* {{official website |http://historicsilvercityidaho.com/}}
* - library - Catherine Minear Moore
*
* - photos - digital collections - Owyhee mining district
* - photos - Silver City, Idaho
* - photos - Silver City, Idaho
* - blog - photos - 2002-08
* - video - Silver City at sunset - 2008-09


{{Owyhee County, Idaho}} {{Owyhee County, Idaho}}
{{Idaho-geo-stub}}


{{authority control}}
{{coord|43|01|01|N|116|43|59|W|type:city_region:US-ID|display=title}}


] ]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 14:48, 20 November 2024

Ghost town in Idaho, United States
Silver City, Idaho
Ghost town
Silver City in 1892Silver City in 1892
Silver City, Idaho is located in IdahoSilver City, IdahoSilver City, IdahoShow map of IdahoSilver City, Idaho is located in the United StatesSilver City, IdahoSilver City, IdahoShow map of the United States
Coordinates: 43°01′01″N 116°43′59″W / 43.01694°N 116.73306°W / 43.01694; -116.73306
CountryUnited States
StateIdaho
CountyOwyhee
Elevation6,168 ft (1,880 m)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
GNIS feature ID398130

Silver City is a ghost town in northwestern Owyhee County, Idaho, United States, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). 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.

Description

Silver City served as county seat of Owyhee County from 1867 to 1934. Today, the town has about 70 standing buildings, all of which are privately owned. Many of the owners are third- or fourth-generation descendants of the original miners. There are a handful of small businesses, but no gas or service stations. The property is now owned by the federal government, overseen by the Bureau of Land Management.

Our Lady of Tears, Silver City

Silver City was founded in 1864 soon after silver was discovered at nearby War Eagle Mountain (elev. 8,065 ft (2,458 m)). 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. Along with Idaho City in the Boise Basin, these mining areas accelerated the growth of the capital city of Boise as a staging and supply point.

The placer and quartz vein mines became depleted around the time Idaho became a state in 1890. Due in part to its extremely remote location, Silver City began a slow decline but was never completely abandoned. Small-scale mining continued off and on until World War II; the last mine to be operated all year round in Silver City was the "Potossi," managed by Ned Williams. By the 1940s, there was only one permanent resident, Willie Hawes (1876–1968), who was born in town and was its mayor, police chief, fire chief, postman, etc.

The Idaho Hotel in Silver City was restored and re-opened for tourists in 1972. It relies on the use of propane refrigerators and stoves in order to supply cold drinks and snacks or a complete meal to guests during the summer months. The rooms are fitted with indoor plumbing and furnished with antiques, making it a tourist destination.

In 1972, the townsite and its environs were listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district, the Silver City Historic District, with a total area of 10,240 acres (16.0 sq mi; 41.4 km).

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870960—
1880593−38.2%
1890583−1.7%
190097667.4%
1910650−33.4%
1920630−3.1%
1930183−71.0%
1940165−9.8%
1950110−33.3%
source:
Silver City in 2016

Geography

Silver City is located at an elevation of 6,179 feet (1,883 m) above sea level. It is located 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Murphy (elev. 2,820 feet (860 m)), the current county seat, via a dirt road.

See also

References

  1. "Dewey". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. Wells, Merle (1971). "Silver City Historic District" (NRHP Nomination). NPS Focus. National Park Service. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  3. Day, Sam (July 11, 1955). "'Willie' Hawes holds every office in Silver City". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. p. 7.
  4. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  5. Moffatt, Riley. Population History of Western U.S. Cities & Towns, 1850-1990. Lanham: Scarecrow, 1996, 98.

External links

Municipalities and communities of Owyhee County, Idaho, United States
County seat: Murphy
Cities
Map of Idaho highlighting Owyhee County
CDPs
Unicorporated communities
Indian reservation
Ghost towns
Footnotes‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Categories: