Visit Stanley Idaho » Historic Sites

Historic Stanley Idaho Museum: Site Of Old Forest Service Ranger Station

stanleyidaho — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:52:57 +0000

At the base of the beauttiful Sawtooth Mountains lies the Stanley Museum. Stanley was founded in 1890 and named for Civil War veteran Capt. John Stanley, who discovered gold in the area while passing through on his way to Idaho City. The Stanley Museum is located in the former Valley Creek Ranger Station and features displays and artifacts interpreting central idaho cultural history and natural history. There is a gift shop and visitor information. There is no charge to visit. Located on Satte Highway 75 in what locals call Lower Stanley. Just across the bridge of Valley Crekk when headed North on Highway 75 on the left hand side.

Season: Summer
Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day, 11am-5pm Daily

Idaho’s Historic Yankee Fork Gold Dredge: Millions In Gold Came From Streams Near Stanley But At A Cost

stanleyidaho — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:13:55 +0000

In the mid 1930’s miners who held claims on the Yankee Fork, a tributary of the Salmon River. The miners were looking for anyone interested in dredging their claims on the Yankee Fork. There were about two to three dozen claims involved. Tests indicated approximately $16,000,000 worth of gold was recoverable, they formed a company called the Snake River Mining Co., to manage the dredging. The dredge was built in 1939-1940.. The parts were shipped by train to Mackay, then hauled by trucks to Yankee Fork and assembled in 1940.

From 1940 until it closed in August of 1952, the dredge dug out rock and recovered gold by washing and separating the rock, dirt and gold. The Snake River Mining Company operated the dredge for several years until it reached a rock dike below Bonanza in 1949. At that time, they sold it to J.R. Simplot the potato magnate form Boise who operated the dredge from 1951 The dredge was then operated until 1952 when it ran out of mining claims on which to work. The dredge has not been operated since 1952.

The dredge is 112 feet long, 54 feet wide, 64 feet high and weighs 988 tons. The fine material was dispersed into 32 sluice boxes where the gold was collected by the mercury process. This was reportedly a very efficient dredge, taking out about 80% of the gold available.

The destruction of the Yankee Fork stream is hard to imagine until one sees the miles of boulders and pools formed by this giant dredge as it ate its way up the stream. Huge losses of trout, steelhead and salmon were lost in the devistation of the stream. In those days people thought more of jobs and money ( even today that mentallity still excists in soem areas) rather than the environment, and today we pay the cost. Fish have returned to the Yankee Fork but not in the numbers before the days of the dredge.

Mr. J.R. Simplot, the last owner, donated the dredge to the U.S. Forest Service. In 1979, The Forest service had no funds to maintain nor keep the dredge open as a visitor attraction. Former employees and their families formed an association to restore and keep the dredge open to the public. This group of volunteers has restored the dredge and it is open for guided tours.
The Yankee Fork Gold Dredge is open from Memorial Day 10:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M through Labor Day weekend.

DIRECTIONS:

Follow state Highway 75 for 13 miles east of Stanley, then turn north at the Sunbeam Dam onto the Yankee Fork Road and follow the dirt road for nine miles. The $3 fee for a guided tour is used for the preservation of the dredge and the heritage of the Yankee Fork.

Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch: Rich History Of An Historic Ranch And Lodge

stanleyidaho — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:09:12 +0000

In all of the Sawtooth Valley and the Stanley Basin area no finer place to spend a week or at a minimum of 3 days is the historic Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch. The ranch is located 9 miles South of Stanley heading towards Sun Valley on Highway 75.

The ranch property was originally a homestead by a pioneer to the Stanley Basin named Dave Williams. The homestead was purchase in 1929 by an executive of the Frigidaire Corporation, Winston Paul who had the lodge and cabins built and then formed the Idaho Rocky Mountain Club. A private retreat by invitation only. The third owner was Ed Bogert, an automobile dealer from Pocatello, Idaho. With that purchase a new era began. instead of a private ranch it became a guest ranch. With the passing of Mr. Bogert his daughter Rozalys Smith took over the operation. The tradition of a family guest ranch continued until 2005. Today, as in the past it is a family owned and operated guest ranch. Steve and Courtney Kapp and David Singer and Diana Kapp run the ranch to insure the preservation of the history and guest operation which continues bringing people from all walks of life to a truely awesome part of Idaho.

The folks at Solitude River Trips heartidly recomend a stay at this truley unique and friendly ranch with the most beautiful view of the Sawtooth Mountains. Their warm hospitallity and that of their staff make you feel like one of the family. Great food, great music, great things to do.

Contact Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch at the following:

ICMR Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, HC 64 Box 9934. Stanley, Idaho 83278. Phone: 1-208-774-3644. Fax: 1-208-774-3477. E-Mail: Info@IdahoRocky.com Web Site: www.IdahoRocky.com

Happy Trails,

While spendnng time at the ranch why not extend your vacation and come float and fish the Middle Fork of the Salmon River for 5 nights and 6 days and 100 miles of wilderness with Solitude River Trips. Visit Solitude at www.RiverTrips.com