Idaho City, located in the Boise Basin off Highway 21 just 40 miles from Boise, is a historic mining town. Gold was discovered nearby at Grimes Creek in 1862. By 1863, Congress established the Idaho Territory, and Idaho City was the county seat of Boise County.
Over the next two years, the population in Idaho City soared. With more than 6,000 people, it became the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, larger than Portland. The gold strike ultimately produced 3,000,000 ounces which is worth almost a billion dollars at current gold prices.
The mining town suffered several fires and of course the demise of the gold rush. Now, however, it caters to tourists over the summer. As a result, there are plenty of things to do for a day or weekend in Idaho City.
EXPLORE!