Ketchum in Blaine County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

The Lewis Ore Wagons

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 26, 2017

1. The Lewis Ore Wagons Marker

Inscription. Horace Lewis began the "Ketchum Fast Freight Line" soon after the town was founded on August 2, 1880. The first load of ore was carried from the Elkhorn mine to the railroad at Kelton, Utah. These monstrous wagons with six-foot wheels known as "The Big Hitch made the round trip in about two weeks, returning to Ketchum with merchandise and freight for local businesses. In 1884, when the Oregon Shoreline Railroad reached Ketchum, the wagons distributed freight to mines and returned with ore to the Philadelphia smelter. They carried as much as 18,000 pounds of ore and covered 12 to 14 miles per day. By 1902, when rail service to Mackay and Challis was inaugurated, the need for these giant wagons diminished. Today the appearance of the wagons in Ketchum's annual Wagon Days Parade are reminders of the vital role they played during the area's early days.

The Bonning Cabin located adjacent to the Ore Wagon Museum was built in 1882. For years it served as a bunkhouse for the ore wagon freight crews. The one-room log cabin was built out of hand-squared logs hewn with a broad axe. The original roof was covered with clay. Today,

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it remains one of the town's oldest buildings.

Erected 2006 by The Ketchum-Sun Valley Historical Society; City of Ketchum; E Clampus Vitus, Chief Truckee Chapter No. 3691, Lewis and Clark Outpost No. 1805.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 2, 1880.

Location. 43° 40.996′ N, 114° 21.828′ W. Marker is in Ketchum, Idaho, in Blaine County. It is on East Avenue near 5th Street East, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 East Avenue, Ketchum ID 83340, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Idaho — Sawtooth Range.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Congregational Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Ketchum

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 26, 2017

2. The Lewis Ore Wagons Marker

The Bonning cabin is in the background.

(about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ski Lifts (approx. 2.2 miles away); W.H. Watt Building (approx. 11½ miles away); Bullion Block Site/Werthheimer Building (approx. 11.6 miles away); J.J. Tracy Building (approx. 11.6 miles away); J.C. Fox Building (approx. 11.6 miles away); Rialto Hotel (approx. 11.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ketchum.

More about this marker. The marker is on the 5th Street East side of the Ore Wagon Museum.

The Ore Wagon Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 26, 2017

3. The Ore Wagon Museum

Note that the Ore Wagon Museum is also an electric vehicle charging station.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 26, 2017

4. The Ore Wagon Museum

The Big Hitch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Idaho Mountain Express

5. The Big Hitch

Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 873 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 15, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.