Near Bonanza City (ghost town) in Custer County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Dredge Camp Family Life
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 25, 2017
1. Dredge Camp Family Life Marker
Inscription.
Dredge Camp Family Life. . Workers on the dredge included the winch men, stern and bow oilers, and the gold man. A ground crew cleared the area ahead of the digging and helped set the "deadmen." The dredge master oversaw the entire operation, deciding were to dig, when to clean up and when to shut down for repairs. Most of the men, and their families lived at the Dredge Camp that included several log and frame cabins, a bunkhouse, cookhouse, and a guest house. Those that did not live at the camp rented cabins at Sunbeam, Bonanza or at other locations in the Yankee Fork Valley. The closest school was in Stanley, and due to difficult travel conditions in winter, a school was established at the camp. The first year there were thirteen students ranging from pre-school up to eighth grade. The location of the school changed over the years before a one-room school was built. One year the cookhouse kitchen served as the school and another year school was held in part of the bunkhouse.
Workers on the dredge included the winch men, stern and bow oilers, and the gold man. A ground crew cleared the area ahead of the digging and helped set the "deadmen." The dredge master oversaw the entire operation, deciding were to dig, when to clean up and when to shut down for repairs. Most of the men, and their families lived at the Dredge Camp that included several log and frame cabins, a bunkhouse, cookhouse, and a guest house. Those that did not live at the camp rented cabins at Sunbeam, Bonanza or at other locations in the Yankee Fork Valley. The closest school was in Stanley, and due to difficult travel conditions in winter, a school was established at the camp. The first year there were thirteen students ranging from pre-school up to eighth grade. The location of the school changed over the years before a one-room school was built. One year the cookhouse kitchen served as the school and another year school was held in part of the bunkhouse.
Erected by U.S. Forest Service, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Bureau of Land Management.
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.
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 188 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 13, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
