Near Lenore in Nez Perce County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Slaterville

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2016

1. Slaterville Marker

Inscription.
Served as the steamboat port for the Clearwater Gold Rush which followed mineral discoveries at Pierce in 1860.

Founded by Seth S. Slater, May 6, 1861, Slaterville (permanent population, 50) had 5 edifices – built mainly of colored blankets – 2 stores, 2 houses, and a saloon. When the Colonel Wright “snapped her tow-line on the Grand Rapids and went whirling through the Big Eddy” just below here, May 13, Lewiston was founded to replace the new port. One more steamer reached here June 1, but Slaterville was doomed.

Erected by Idaho Historical Society & Idaho Transportation Department. (Marker Number 250.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1861.

Location. 46° 30.671′ N, 116° 33.679′ W. Marker is near Lenore, Idaho, in Nez Perce County. It is on U.S. 12 0.6 miles west of Lenore Grade, on the right. Marker is located in the Lenore Rest Area, a pull-out and parking lot on the north side of US Highway 12, overlooking the Clearwater River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lenore ID 83541, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Idaho — Idaho’s Panhandle

and in the Palouse.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

specifically in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 6 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Nimiipuu Daily Life (a few steps from this marker); Indian Houses (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lenore Tram (approx. half a mile away); Culdesac (approx. 10.8 miles away); St. Joseph's Mission (approx. 12½ miles away); Railroad Tunnels (approx. 12½ miles away).

More about this marker. Large wooden marker in good condition

Slaterville Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2016

2. Slaterville Marker (wide view)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 596 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on December 6, 2025, by Doreen Thomson of Calgary, Alberta Canada. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 8, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.