Mineral

Northwest of Weiser is Mineral, which started as a mining town in 1880.

Mineral is located up Dennett Creek Idaho near Brownlee Reservoir along the Oregon/Idaho border. Essentially there are only two ways to get there, over the mountain or around the mountain via the reservoir.

From Adventure Rider

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Historical Overview of Mineral: A Once Thriving Settlement

Mineral was established twenty-two miles northwest of Weiser during the summer of 1880 by John A. James and his cousin, Jim Peck, who had been grubstaked by a merchant from Baker, Oregon. The settlement was originally named “Hancock” in honor of their preferred presidential candidate of that year.

The community rapidly developed and boasted several dwellings, reflecting its early promise. The town’s infrastructure included:

Two butcher shops, Two livery stables, An assay office, A blacksmith shop, Two general merchandise stores, Two hotels, A barber shop, Nine or more saloons.

Mineral also featured a unique “cannonball crusher” mill. Despite its limited capacity of handling only about half a ton of ore per day, it was a significant part of the town’s mining operations.

Nearby, on Dennett Creek, another small settlement supported Mineral’s mining activities. This area included:

A smelter, Four or five residences, A saloon, A hotel, A red light district.

These facilities highlight the bustling and diverse nature of the community during its peak. However, like many mining towns of the era, Mineral eventually declined as resources were depleted and economic conditions changed. Despite this, the legacy of Mineral remains a testament to the industrious spirit of its founders and the vibrant life it once hosted.

Resourcefulness in Mineral: Overcoming Lumber Shortages

In the early days of Mineral, finished lumber was a rare and expensive commodity. To address the pressing need for building materials, a lumber mill was constructed on Fourth of July Creek Canyon. This mill played a crucial role in supporting the camp and its mining operations. Despite this, the scarcity and high cost of lumber led many residents to build their structures using native stone.

One inventive approach to solving the housing shortage in Mineral was described by a writer of the time. Residents would:

1. Select Two Forked Saplings: These saplings had to be of the same length.

2. Position the Saplings: One sapling was placed against the inside of the back wall, and the other in front.

3. Install a Ridge Pole: A ridge pole was then fastened between the two saplings.

For roofing, residents utilized whatever materials were at hand. Common choices included: Canvas, Opened and Flattened Cyanide Cans, Willows

Chinking, or the process of filling gaps in cabin walls, was done with any available material, demonstrating the settlers’ ingenuity and adaptability. This method of construction highlights the resourcefulness of Mineral’s early inhabitants, who found practical solutions to the challenges posed by their remote and resource-limited environment.

Innovative Construction and the Decline of Mineral

In the mining town of Mineral, resourcefulness extended beyond the use of native stone and rudimentary materials for construction. One notable technique involved using molten slag from the smelters. This molten slag was poured into molds to create blocks, similar to modern-day cinder blocks, which were then used for building structures. Additionally, residents carved out dugouts in the slopes above the town to serve as shelters.

Despite these innovative approaches, only one building and a scarcely visible graveyard remain as silent witnesses to Mineral’s once vibrant existence.

The town experienced fluctuating fortunes, swinging between periods of prosperity and hardship. The 1890s were notably challenging, but optimism returned around 1900, leading to the construction of a sixty-ton smelter. However, this resurgence was short-lived, and by 1905, Mineral began to decline for various reasons.

World Wars I and II temporarily revived mining activities in Mineral, but these were brief and did not lead to lasting prosperity. For the past quarter-century, Mineral has been abandoned, its smelters dismantled, and the area has nearly returned to its original, untouched state.

From Rick O’Donnell – Weiser Museum Facebook Group