Wallace, Idaho – Authentic American Small Town
The town of Wallace, Idaho was one of the largest silver producers in the world and one of the richest mining towns still in existence today. The World Property Journal rated Wallace as No.2 of the ten real authentic American Small Town. It is also one of only four cities in the United States that is entirely listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Wallace is about 7 miles from Burke, the ghost town I wrote about in another post.
History of Wallace
In the Wallace Historic Idaho website page stated:
Danger, intrigue, passion, great wealth, heroics and comedy are set against the breathtaking backdrop of northern Idaho’s Bitterroot mountains. Those are the elements of the 14 decade story of Wallace. The entire town of Wallace, Idaho is on the national Historic Register.
A true, old west, mining town that still prospers today; the town of Wallace traces its roots back to 1884 when Colonel William R. Wallace purchased 80 acres of land and built his cabin in the area that became the site of the present city. Colonel Wallace is rumored to have made the land purchase with Sioux Scrip (which was later declared not to be valid currency) resulting in property disputes that continued for years.
Like other early settlers, he was drawn to the area by the rich deposits of silver, gold, and other metals in the surrounding mountains. His wife, Lucy, joined him in 1885 and became the first postmistress in town. By 1887, downtown businesses were established and mining claims dotted the hillsides. The railroad came to town and the first Wallace depot was built that same year.
By the early 1890s, Wallace was a prosperous town filled with immigrant miners from all over the world. In 1890, a fire that started in the Central Hotel burned much of the wooden buildings in the downtown business district. They were replaced with brick buildings, most of which still stand today.
Wallace Today
Wallace today still holds its historic charm with many of its buildings from the 1800s, close-knit community, eclectic shops, motels and theaters, each with their own vibrant personality. There is the Oasis Bordello that was active until 1988. It is now a museum but during its heyday, it was one of six bordellos servicing 3,000 miners who worked around here. The Northern Pacific Depot built back in the year 1901 now operates as Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum. You can visit the most famous manhole-cover in America, at the intersection of Bank and Sixth, which proudly proclaims Wallace as “The Center of the Universe.” There is also an old advertising signboard stating “Wallace Printing Company – Home of the Wallace Miners” There is a lot more attractions here in Wallace besides the old historic places. Here is a link to 6 best things to do in Wallace, Idaho.
