From the Archive - Oct. 17, 2024

This Week in History ~ 100 Years Ago (1924) - "A sawmill has been installed on the property of the Cynide Gold Mining Company in the Buckhorn district and is expected to be in operation this week.  The mill, which has a capacity of 15,000 feet daily, will take the place of the company's sawmill which burned early in the year.  Power will be furnished by the company's plant at Eileen."

The Cynide Gold Mining Company, Ltd claims, in the Deer Creek area, consisted of the following: Hoosierboy, Buckhorn, Boston, Keystone, Lucky-Three, Scout, Last Chance, and Wee Fraction. In 1906, the Buckhorn Mine had a good wagon road to the development of 1,600 feet of tunnels - with 5,000 tons of ore on the dumps. At that time, it was valued at $60,000.

In 1924, the directors of the Cynide Gold Mining Company constructed a dam and power plant on the Moyie River below Eileen with ten miles of transmission line to carry electricity to both the Scout and the Buckhorn. On May 19, 1925, high water broke the dam. The dam was never successful. In 1931, the Deer Creek fire ripped through the area missing the buildings of the Buckhorn. It is uncertain if 'hot spots' remained, but two weeks after the Deer Creek fire passed, the buildings of the Buckhorn caught on fire for a total loss. The mine never regained the strength it had in its early years.

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

Visit the museum, Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., or visit the website at boundarycountymuseum.org or the museum’s Facebook page for historical photos and stories, and to see upcoming events. The museum can be reached via email at doyouremember@meadowcrk.com or by phone at 208-267-7720.