A History of Gold Dredging in Idaho tells the story of a revolution in placer mining—and its subsequent impact on the state of Idaho—from its inception in the early 1880s until its demise in the early 1960s. Idaho was the nation’s fourth-leading producer of dredged gold after 1910 and therefore provides an excellent lens through which to observe the practice and history of gold dredging. Author Clark Spence focuses on the two most important types of dredges in the state—the bucket-line dredge and the dragline dredge—and describes their financing, operation, problems, and effect on the state and environment. These dredges made it possible to work ground previously deemed untouchable because bedrock where gold collected could now be reached. But they were also highly destructive to the environment. As these huge machines floated along, they dumped debris that harmed the streams and destroyed wildlife habitat, eventually prompting state regulations and federal restoration of some of the state’s crippled waterways. Providing a record of Idaho’s dredging history for the first time, this book is a significant contribution to the knowledge and understanding of Western mining, its technology, and its overall development as a major industry of the twentieth century.

A history of the 1883-84 gold rush to what became the Eagle City and Murray area, situated along Prichard Creek in the remote Coeur d'Alene National Forest of northern Idaho. The gold rush drew thousands of fortune seekers and marked the beginning of the internationally renowned Coeur d'Alene Mining District. The book provides a detailed documentation of the gold rush activity, including the hastily built towns and the people involved. Following the gold rush, in what had become the North Side region of the Coeur d'Alene Mining District, active hard-rock mining of primarily lead and zinc commenced. In addition to capturing that aspect of the history, the book discusses the remarkable roles the region played in the formation and preservation of the U.S. Forest Service, the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and a burgeoning logging industry that harvested the largest remaining stands of the coveted white pine.

How is it possible an old West gold mine stayed hidden for over a century especially since she is located near the heart of the Coeur d'Alene Mining District in Idaho? Well, as my wife Sherry is quite often known to say, "Here's the story!" Retired miner Bill Lane and his wife Judy traveled the northwest of the United States for several years in hopes to preserve an old mine for educating the public. In 1996, they found what they have been looking for in Kellogg, Idaho. Things started off as planned until some locals became upset. It didn't sit well with them believing these outsiders came along and created what they consider to be a fictitious story centered around an old sloughed-in mine. My wife Sherry and I have always been known to take a gamble and have experienced many awesome adventures over the years. My career in the United States Navy, her career in banking, and raising ostriches have left us with fond memories. However, when we purchased the mine property from Bill Lane in 2012 and reopened the old historic gold mine tour, the perception of awesome takes on a whole new meaning. During our decade of owning and operating the Crystal Gold Mine Tours, many folks have asked us for more information about our history. This is in response to those many requests during those wonderful years. It's time to lay down and expose the hand we were dealt, along with taking the opportunity to set a few local folks straight. It turns out, some of them are nothing but a bunch of "modern-day claim jumpers!" And the true history of the Crystal Gold Mine in Kellogg, Idaho is at stake.