Silver City Idaho

Silver City Idaho is located in the Owyhee mountain range on the boarder of Idaho and Oregon.Gold was discovered along Jordan creek in 1863 by a group of prospectors led by Michael Jordan and the rush to the Owyhee mountains was on. At first the prospecting was limited to Jordan Creek, but soon rich deposits of gold and silver were discovered in the surrounding mountains(War Eagle Mountain), and the town of Silver City was born. The miners did not realize at the time, but they had uncovered on of Idaho's richest mineral lodes. Some of the mines were so rich that they generated intense battles between the mines. One such battle between the Ida Elmore and the Golden Chariot mines cost several miners there lives. This battle continued till the U.S. Cavalry arrived to stop the fighting.

From Boise Idaho, to get to Silver City head for the town of Murphy Idaho. There are signs along the highway to Murphy that will take you right to the turn off the highway. The road is to the right a few miles out of Murphy, and is marked by historical information sign that is worth a quick stop and read. The first few miles are pavement, then the road turns to gravel the rest of the way. In the winter months the road is closed, in the spring the road can also be closed due to run off, flash floods etc. You can call the Owyhee sheriff's office to check the road status. The drive up into the mountains is stunning, deep canyons, rock formation and unbelievable views. During the summer you can get to Silver City with a two-wheel drive car,(recommend you have good tires)there are a few steep parts, take it slow and enjoy the view. Eventually you will come to the top if New York Summit and start your decent into Silver City. A few miles down from the summit you will come to a T in the road, right will take you down to Jordan Valley and into Oregon. Stay to the left and with in a few hundred feet you will see your first signs of the town and Jordan Creek. The homes in Silver City are all privately owned so respect that fact please. As you start to see the town you will realize for the most part the town is unchanged. There is a campground on the other side of the town, that is where we usually park to take a stroll around the town. In the summer you will find a gift shop, hotel with burgers and drinks,(you can even rent rooms for the night). There is a old school house, a church that they still have service in a few times a year, and a Masonic Temple. I highly recommend purchasing the War Eagle Tour book from the hotel. It will tell you a complete history of the area, description of some of the buildings, maps to the mines and to the top of War Eagle Mountain,(my favorite spot but I would not go up without a four wheel drive vehicle. Also great quad or motorcycle day trip). I hope someone finds this interesting and takes a trip up to Silver City. It is truly worth the trip and is great day for children to see first hand some of this country's rich history. Again please respect peoples personal property.

I almost forgot, the hike through the cemetery is very interesting and well worth the short hike.