Wagonhammer RV Park located in Area Rich in History

Many of our Wagonhammer Guests so enjoy our Salmon Valley area because of our Historical Preservations.  I and our Host Family take great pleasure in helping our guests find the many remnants of a most colorful heritage.  I will only whet your appetite with some suggestions of surrounding interest which are all day trips from our Idaho RV Destination Park – Wagonhammer.

Bannock Ghost Town (image above) located just beyond the Bitteroot Range in Montana is a favorite as it is one of the best preserved ghost towns in our area.  Bannock is unique…preserved rather than restored…protected rather than exploited.  You are able to live the past as you explore saloons, the church and school house, jails and stores, the Masonic lodge, cabins and the First Governor’s Mansion.

My choice is The Hotel Meade where you step back in time and envision the elegant dining room and the social activity of the day.  What is most impressive to me is the winding stairway where the ladies would  emerge in their refined Victorian ballroom gowns.  As you walk the streets and boardwalks and explore the buildings that were once filled with laughter, gossip, greed and sorrow, you try to imagine what life would have been like in this early day mining town. It is well worth the 100 mile trip as the scenery and activity enroute are spectacular.

Shoup, just down river from Wagonhammer began in 1862 when placer gold was discovered in the Salmon River.  In one time their were more than 600 people living in Shoup.  At one time there was the normal complement of saloons even an an art gallery and an opera house.  It is always interesting to read the Local Salmon Paper which features happenings of 120 years ago – such as – Everybody should attend the concert at Shoup’s Hall tomorrow night.  Admission is 50 cents  also The Kentucky Mining Co. of Shoup deposited $3000 worth of gold in the United States mint at Boise City recently.  Can you imagine the value today with our present day gold values?

Today there is still evidence of the past at the general store with their functioning gravity gasoline pumps.  Another treat is a chocolate malt or an old fashioned burger.  The walls of the store are full of old black and white photos of the past history.  As you meander down the road you will see evidence of past mining days.

Gibbonsville,  to be considered a Living Ghost Town is still sparsely populated with evidence of the original log cabins in the background.  The original two room school is today a museum and every fall  it is the spot for the Hunterman’s Ball, a social event for the community and also an attraction for visiting hunters.  Cemeteries are a valued source for past history and the Gibbonsville cemetary is a prime example. This is probably the most interesting cemetery I have ever visited ranging from primitive wood markers to huge granite memorials to both pioneers and recent passings.

Family Plots are surrounded by decorative picket fences. Many of the plots display the evidence of family and friend visits leaving behind flowers, angels, fishing gear and even a Coors beer can here and there.

Following our visit we followed the trail to Granite Mountain top with a vista of the valleys below.  As we gazed from mountain top to mountain top there is no doubt in my mind that there is a supreme being in charge of our universe.

Come on over to North Fork Idaho and stay with us at Wagonhammer RV Park & Campground.  Enjoy our pristine scenery and park.  We will be happy to guide you to the many outdoor adventures and interesting places to visit in our area.  Envision Days of the Past, going down memory lane as you read Ghost Towns of Idaho by Bruce Raisch which is available at the Wagonhammer Gift Shop describing many more Ghost Towns in our area.

We look forward to seeing YOU soon!