Pierce in Clearwater County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Canal Gulch
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 6, 2018
1. Canal Gulch Marker
The fabulous Gold Rush days of Idaho began on September 30, 1860, when W.F. Bassett struck gold just about here.
E.D. Pierce, who knew the country, had led twelve prospectors, including Bassett, out from Walla Walla in August. After news of the strike spread, about sixty men came in and wintered nearby in spite of snow and Indians. Next spring the stampede was on, and by that July this just six-month-old county cast the largest vote in Washington territory.
Erected by Idaho Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 153.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1860.
Location. 46° 29.544′ N, 115° 47.964′ W. Marker is in Pierce, Idaho, in Clearwater County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (State Highway 11 at milepost 29) and Canal Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 South Main Street, Pierce ID 83546, United States
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Idaho Idahos Panhandle. 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. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pierce Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Pierce Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chinese Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Oro Fino City (approx. one mile away); Murder & Vigilantes (approx. 1.7 miles away); Boom & Chinese of Pierce (approx. 1.7 miles away); Pierce Gold Rush (approx. 1.7 miles away); Gold Discovered (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pierce.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 6, 2018
2. Canal Gulch Marker
Idaho State Archives (Public Domain), circa 1892
3. Mining Machinery used near here
Water wheel and water powered arrastra on Silver Creek near Pierce, Idaho. Arrastras were used to crush ore to liberate metals from the waste rock.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,737 times since then and 63 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week September 25, 2022. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on September 17, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
