Bonanza City

Bonanza City. . You now stand among the remains of Bonanza City, laid out in 1877 and the Yankee Fork's first mining camp. Pack trails linking Ketchum, Stanley, Loon Creek, and Challis converged in Bonanza. At its peak, Bonanza had over 600 residents, a rectangular grid of streets, and provided city services such as community wells. An underground water system piped water for drinking and fire protection throughout the town. , Despite this foresight, fires in 1889 and 1897 devastated portions of Bonanza. The loss of business due to fires and the increased activity at Custer encouraged many to relocate. Today little is left of Bonanza with the exception of a few buildings and the Forest Service Guard Station constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. One mile west, in cluster of pines, overlooking the Yankee Fork, is the historic Bonanza Cemetery. Nearby is Boot Hill Cemetery and the grave of Lizzie King, whose death remains a Yankee Fork mystery.