Near Cambridge in Washington County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Brownlee Ferry
Photographed by Rebecca Maxwell, October 11, 2009
1. Brownlee Ferry Marker
Guiding Oregon Trail emigrants and a party of prospectors who had discovered gold in Boise Basin, Tim Goodale opened a new miners' trail through here in August 1862.
A gold rush followed that fall, and John Brownlee operated a ferry here from 1862 to 1864, before leaving to work his own Boise Basin mine. A new ferry commenced here a year after James Ruth and T.J. Heath discovered silver mines on Brownlee Creek in 1874, with service continuing until after 1920.
Erected by Idaho Historical Society. (Marker Number 185.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society, and the Oregon Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 44° 49.725′ N, 116° 54.209′ W. Marker is near Cambridge, Idaho, in Washington County. It is on State Highway 71 at milepost 2, 10 miles west of Camp Creek Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is 28 miles from Cambridge near Brownlee Dam. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cambridge ID 83610, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Idaho’s Snake River Plain. 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 one other marker is within walking distance of this marker
this page online
Photographed by Rebecca Maxwell, October 11, 2009
2. Brownlee Ferry and Seven Devils Mines Markers Along Hwy 71
Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2009, by Rebecca Maxwell of Boise, Idaho. This page has been viewed 3,659 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 12, 2009, by Rebecca Maxwell of Boise, Idaho. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
