Near Bonanza City (ghost town) in Custer County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Dredge Beginnings

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 25, 2017

1. Dredge Beginnings Marker

Inscription. Thoughts of dredging the Yankee Fork began in 1899 when business groups bought up placer claims along the creek and were revived up again in 1904 when the Boston & Boise Dredge Company drilled test holes. Rising gold prices stimulated interest again in 1932, and the Yankee Fork Placer Company brought in a diesel powered dredge. Inadequate equipment caused the project to fail.
The Silas Mason Company and later its subsidiary the Snake River Mining Company brought in machinery and tested the ground again. By 1940, a work camp was constructed and workers awaited the arrival of a custom-built dredge. This dredging operation continued off and on until 1947 when the company ended operations due to a bedrock reef that prevented access to better paying ground. Warren Dredging Corporation, a company partially owned by J.R. Simplot, bought the operation in 1949. This company overcame the challenge of the bedrock reef and continued operations until 1952. The dredge was moved to its present location in 1953.

Erected by U.S. Forest Service, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Bureau of Land Management.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.

Location. 44° 22.625′ N, 114°

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43.366′ W. Marker is near Bonanza City (ghost town), Idaho, in Custer County. Marker is on Yankee Fork Road - Custer Motorway Adventure Road near Loon Creek Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stanley ID 83278, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dredge Camp Family Life (here, next to this marker); Dredge Tailings (here, next to this marker); Yankee Fork Gold Dredge (here, next to this marker); The Crew of the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge (within shouting distance of this marker); Bonanza City (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chinese Businesses (approx. 1.2 miles away); Custer City (approx. 1.2 miles away); Nevada House Hotel (site) (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bonanza City (ghost town).

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 25, 2017

2. Dredge Beginnings Marker

This marker is on the right.

Yankee Fork Gold Dredge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 25, 2017

3. Yankee Fork Gold Dredge

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 238 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 13, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.