The Crystal Gold Mine, near Kellogg, Idaho was the first hard rock mine in the Silver Valley. Worked from 1879-1881; closed by hiding the mine, it was rediscovered in 1991, reclaimed in 1996, and opened as a tourist historical attraction.
The work was all done in candlelight by hand. The guided underground tour explains how they drilled with "Hand Steels" using "Single Jacks" and "Double Jacks" (Hammers), how they traced the quartz vein using 1880 methods, how they tested the vein for gold. Beautiful stalactite crystals of smithonite in an array of colors coat the walls. Gold and wire silver can still be seen in the quartz vein.
Visit the only authentic 1880's underground gold mine in the Northwest! This mine was worked from 1879 to 1881 and was only rediscovered in 1991. A guided underground tour explains how miners drilled, traced veins and tested for gold. Underground mine tours, museum and gift shop are open all year with seasonal gold panning. This is a AAA-approved attraction with an RV Park W/Full Hookups on site. Tour buses are welcome.
