From the Archives for April 28, 2022

This pretty winter scene is at the plant of the International Molybdenum Co. mine near Porthill, Idaho.

Incorporated on Feb. 3, 1926, the company sold 10,055 shares at $1 each. The property was listed under the "Hottentot Group" and had 2 unpatented claims. The officers of the company were William H. Rideout, President-Manager and Martha J. Hinton, Secretary. A tunnel, forty feet long, was developed with a number of open cuts to access the molybdenum ore. Rideout employed three men and operated the mine throughout the first couple years.

In the mid 1930s, when H. M. Davis of Spokane had taken over operation of the mine; the tunnel was 450 feet long. More shares were sold bringing the capital stock to a value of $300,000. Mine production increased with more employees; two more tunnels were developed for a total of 735 feet. A milling building was completed with a gas-driven compressor and 25-ton ball mill.

It is unclear what became of the International Molybdenum Co. mine. According to the Annual Report of the Mining Industry of Idaho, no report for the mine was filed in the year 1940.

The Boundary County Historical Society and Museum, 7229 Main, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, sponsors this column.

Visit the museum Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or go online to the museum’s website at www.boundarycountymuseum.org or the museum’s Facebook page for historical photos and stories, and to see upcoming events. The museum can be reached at doyouremember@meadowcrk.com or telephone 208-267-7720. Thank you for your continued support.