Near Kimberly in Twin Falls County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Before there were potatoes, there was GOLD

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 15, 2018

1. Before there were potatoes, there was GOLD Marker

Captions: (upper right) Smaller placer mining operation in the Snake River region; (lower left) Large hoses called giants were used to mine the gold.

Inscription. During the 1860s and 1870s, this area was home to hundreds of miners who came seeking their fortunes in gold. Towns and mining camps with hotels and other businesses sprung up to accommodate them.
Miners removed the precious metal from placer bars, or gravel deposits using pressurized water from a hose, like a firefighter uses. These huge hoses were called giants.
The gravel and gold were separated in sluice boxes. The gold here was difficult to extract but it was worth the effort because of its high quality.
In the late 1860s, most of the miners were Chinese and Idaho had more Asian miners than any state or territory. They were usually forced to work less profitable claims than their Caucasian counterparts.
There is no major mining activity in this area today.

Erected by Idaho Power.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Natural Resources.

Location. 42° 35.328′ N, 114° 21.45′ W. Marker is near Kimberly, Idaho, in Twin Falls County. Marker is on Twin Falls Grade near 4050 North Road, on the right when traveling north. This marker is located near the Twin Falls Power Plant. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3593 Twin Falls Grade, Kimberly ID 83341, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. History Through the Eyes of a Camera (here, next to this marker); Snake River Canyon Gold Rush (within shouting distance of this marker); Shoshone Falls (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named Shoshone Falls (approx. 2.3 miles away); Clarence Bisbee (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named Shoshone Falls (approx. 2.3 miles away); Shoshone Falls Project (approx. 2.4 miles away); The Desert Bloomed (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kimberly.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 15, 2018

2. Before there were potatoes, there was GOLD Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 279 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.