Wallace in Shoshone County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Wallace
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, 2014
1. Wallace Marker
Founded as a mining town in 1884, Wallace became a railroad center in 1887 and the Shoshone County seat in 1898.
Rebuilt after a disastrous fire in 1890, Wallace has preserved its pioneer mining heritage. North Idaho's 2,000,000-acre forest fire was stopped here in 1910, and business buildings of that era survive in an impressive historic district. A museum in Wallace's restored 1901 Northern Pacific Depot, on 6th St., interprets the region's railway history. (Marker Number 367.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 47° 28.632′ N, 115° 55.999′ W. Marker is in Wallace, Idaho, in Shoshone County. It can be reached from Interstate 90 at milepost 61 near Silver Valley Road (Old U.S. 10). Located in the Visitors Center at exit 61, between Silver Valley Road and Interstate 90. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wallace ID 83873, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Idaho Idahos Panhandle. It is also in the American Mountain West and specifically in the Pacific Northwest. 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: "The Big Blowup" (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named "The Big Blowup" (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
Library of Congress, 1915
2. Wallace after the 1910 "Big Blowup" forest fire.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2010, by Lila Diller of Statesville, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,577 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 22, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 2. submitted on February 19, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area picture of the marker and its surroundings. • • Pictures of the Mining Disaster Memorial also at this location. • Can you help?
