Lucile in Idaho County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Fabulous Florence
Millions in gold – mined mostly in one big year
— came from the high mountain basin around Florence 14 airline miles east from here —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2013
1. Fabulous Florence Marker
Early prospectors, fanning south from Pierce – Idaho’s first gold camp – came unexpectedly upon rich ground in August 1861. Their secret leaked, golden rumors started an eager rush that fall, and winter famine followed. Next spring, thousands stampeded to Florence, even from the California mines, but the rich claims soon worked out, and the camp had only 575 men by 1863. Today scarcely a trace of the town remains among scars of the old diggings. Original town vanished: side trip ordinarily impracticable.
Erected by Idaho Historical Society & Idaho Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 174.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 45° 32.869′ N, 116° 18.267′ W. Marker is in Lucile, Idaho, in Idaho County. Marker is on U.S. 95, 0.4 miles south of McKinley Mine Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in a pull-out along the west side of US highway 95, overlooking the Salmon River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lucile ID 83542, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Florence, Idaho County, Idaho.
Gold was discovered at the present site of Florence by John J. Healy who arrived in September 1861. He and a handful of other men quickly filed claims and reaped the rewards of being the first to find the precious metal. By October, the situation was quickly changing for the miners. Snow was falling and was more than a foot deep by mid-October. The winter of 1861-62 was one of the worst in the Pacific Northwest for some time. Deep snow clogged the passes making the transportation of supplies into the camps limited if not impossible. Sub-zero temperatures killed scores of men either traveling into the mines or trying to leave. (Submitted on November 5, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Florence, Idaho Ghost Town.
More than a dozen structures still standing, mostly cabins. There is a cemetery, also a Chinese cemetery. We couldn't find any women in the cemetery. A saloon/bar had been
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2013
2. Fabulous Florence Marker (wide view)
Visible directly across the Salmon River (behind the marker) are scars and a pit left by large scale hydraulic mining
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2013
3. Salmon River (view looking south from the marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 469 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 5, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
