Crystal Gold Mine

Location: East of Kellogg, Idaho on Interstate 90. Take Idaho Exit # 54 to the Miner’s Memorial, then turn left on Silver Valley Road and go two miles.

History: The Crystal Gold Mine was originally discovered in 1879 by gold prospector Tom Irwin, who built a cabin at the base of the hill and mined there for three years. Intending to return, he blasted the hillside, covering the mine and his equipment inside to protect the site from claim jumpers. He was never heard from again. The mine was hidden from the outside for more than a hundred years. In 1991, the area’s new owner found the mine. He caught sight of water seeping out of the hillside. Thinking it was a spring he started digging and partially uncovered the opening to the mine. He threw apiece of plywood over it and did not explore further. in 1996 it was sold to the current owner, a retired miner who uncovered the rest of the mine and rejuvenated it to its current use, a tourist attraction.

Statistics: There is no record available which can give any idea of the amount of gold which was pulled from the mine while owned by Tom Irwin. Mine samples removed from the mine in the late 1990s proved to be high grade ore. These samples weighed in at 700 ounces of gold per ton of ore mined.

Interesting Points: During the time that the mine was lost, smithsonite crystals formed on the walls of the mine. Gold and wire silver are marked clearly for everyone to see while touring the mine.