Idaho County Idaho

Idaho County is the state's largest gold producing county, with 2,176,550 ounces of gold being recorded from placer and lode mines between 1862 and 1959. The primary areas of interest are along Lolo, Mussell and Eldorado Creeks. There were many once rich placer mines on these creeks. Along the Salmon River bars, benches and terrace gravels there is also some rich placer ground.

Burgsdorf to Warren

The entire length of the Salmon River, especially in T22N R4~6E, have had productive placer operations. In the south part of the county, in T20N and T24N R4E and R8E, is the Warren Marshal (resort) district. It had a total production through 1959 of 906,500 ounces of gold. The Warren Meadows, discovered in 1862, had some huge placers worked by bucket dredges. All area bench gravels and high meadow deposits contain placer gold. The area lode mines produced 1,765 ounces of gold from 1929 to 1935, but placer has been king in this area.

Dixie District

The Dixie district is located 20 miles south of Elk City, in T25N and T26N R8E. It had a total production of around 50,000 ounces. All area mines were big producers of lode gold. On the North side of the Salmon River, along Sheep and Crooked Creeks, there was extensive placer operations.

Elk City District

In parts of T29N and T30N R8E, this district had a total production of around 800,000 ounces. Along the American River and the South Fork of the Clearwater River, there were many placer workings. Above the placers, you will find many, many mines that produced lode gold. The Buster Mine was discovered in 1870 and was the largest mine in the district after 1902. It produced lode gold. The regional high level Tertiary terrace gravels are very rich.

Grangeville

Out of Grangeville 42 miles, in T25N R3E and R4E, is the French Creek and Florence districts. This was one of the most productive areas in Idaho. It had a total production of over 1,000,000 ounces. All regional gulches and streambeds are rich. They had many thousands of miners working in the area in the old days. Later the Chinese reworked the areas for the rich placers left behind. Above the placers there are several mines that had minor lode gold production, but placer is king in this area.

Kooskia

If you go south of Kooskia, along the South Fork of the Clearwater River, including areas around Stites and Harpster, had very rich placers. East of Kooskia, along the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River there were also some very rich placer diggings. Along Maggie Creek, you can find some more excellent placer dirt. This area has produced some nice gold.

Lolo Creek

reported by Ken Lee

Lolo creek has a great deal of gold bearing sites. Most mining done there is done with a dredge. On average you can find 1 to 2 ounces a day.

Lucille to Riggins

Along the Salmon River and its tributaries, you can find many regional placer mines that produced enormous amounts of gold. Between Riggins and Freedom, in T24-28N R1E, is the Simpson Camp, in the Howard-Riggins District. There was around 10,000 ounces of placer gold that came from this area.

Orogrande

Orogrande is 12 miles southwest of Elk City. The district still producing gold, but it was most productive between 1902 and 1959. It had a total production of around 32,000 ounces of gold. The local creeks, gulches and benches have all been worked intermittantly. The Orogrande - Frisco and the Gnome Mines were the largest producers in the area. Southwest of Orogrande 8 miles, is the Buffalo Hump district, it had a total production of 27,000 ounces from 1898 until 1941. There are many area mines and ghost towns in the area. The Big Buffalo Property, was a major mine. North of the Buffalo Hump Mountain and West of the Elk City District is the Tenmile district. It had a total production of 147,000 ounces, mostly placer gold. The Newsome Basin Placers were in the area of Newsome Creek and its tributaries. The rich placers were discovered in 1861. There were many mines in the area.

White Bird