High in the Owyhee Mountains at 6,200 feet lies the frequently snowbound town of Silver City. You don't just stumble upon this town; you have to make an effort to find it. From October through May, finding it gets tough as heavy snowfall closes most of the roads. Summer heat opens those roads, yet the window of opportunity is narrow. It's worth it, though; it's a window to another world.

            Some may call Silver City a ghost town, but residents reject that moniker. Many of the buildings have been restored, and visitors today travel back in time amidst a living population of fiercely independent folks.

            Silver City has avoided becoming a tourist town, yet it welcomes tourists to come see the historical mining location-an integral part of Idaho's early years. Back in the 1860s, miners flocked to Silver City when gold and silver were discovered. The population rose to around 2,500 and it was the county seat of Owyhee County. Silver City boasted the first daily newspaper in the territory in 1874, and the first telegraph. Telephones appeared by 1880, and the technological revolution brought electricity around 1890.

            Mining was the cause of it all. At the peak, at least 150 mines operated in the nearby mountainsides. Some estimates value the amount of ore taken from the area at $60 million, at least-in 1890s currency. Of course, today the valued amount would be astronomical. Seventy-five businesses supported and supplied the miners.

            Today, there are three businesses in town: The Idaho Hotel, Sinker Creek Outfitters, and Pat's What-Not Shop.

What to Do:

- Visit the historic Idaho Hotel. You can even stay overnight, but just be warned there is no electricity and there are few modern conveniences. It's like a time machine. Restoration to the hotel is still being done, so not all rooms are available. The owners recommend contacting the hotel a week in advance. You can eat in the dining room. The phone is (208) 583-4104. Email is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

- See the old schoolhouse. Children are always amazed that a hundred years ago children actually went to school here.

- See the white Catholic Church on the hill. Even though miners weren't known for their religious tendencies, you can't have a town without a church, right?

- The Stoddard Mansion may not seem so big by modern standards, but remember that some miners were living ten men in a shack, so this grand home was definitely a mansion in its time.

- See really old graves in the cemetery. Imagine the stories behind the names and dates.

- At Pat's What-Not Shop, you can find and buy all kinds of antique stuff, including gold pans. Try your luck; you've got nothing to lose.

- Take the guided tour from Sinker Creek Outfitters. Trail rides (on horses) come in two sizes: a two-hour ride and a two-day excursion. This is a great way to learn about the area, see remote sites, and experience life in the rugged Owyhee Mountains.

Neysa CM Jensen is a Boise writer, mother, and musician. There are days when she wishes she could live in the mountains where snow closes all the roads in and out, but then she remembers how much she loves a mocha latte.

For details, phone numbers, and pre-visit tips, visit www.historicsilvercityidaho.com.
Silver City is about 70 miles southwest of Boise in the Owyhee Mountains, off I-78 near Murphy. Turn west at the sign for Silver City off I-78.
You can also contact the Bureau of Land Management, Owyhee Field Office  (www.blm.gov/id/st)  (208) 896-5912