Yellow Jacket, Idaho, Lemhi County is a fascinating ghost town with a rich mining history nestled in the rugged terrain of Idaho. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Lemhi County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 45.1333° N, 114.7833° W
Elevation: Approximately 6,500 feet (1,981 meters)
Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone (MT)
Established: 1869
Disestablished: Not precisely documented, but the town was largely abandoned by the early 20th century.
Comments: Yellow Jacket was primarily known for its mining operations, including gold and silver extraction, that drew prospectors to the area in the late 19th century. The town thrived during the mining boom but struggled to sustain its population and economy as resources were depleted.
In 1869, there was a rush to Yellow Jacket after Nathan Smith and his party thought they had found a rich gold strike. It was later discovered that one of the prospectors had “salted” the area with some California gold.
This made Yellow Jacket appear less rich than initially thought. Later, when most of the prospectors were disappointed and left, a rich quartz lode was found that would bring in millions of dollars in gold.
Despite the remote location of Yellow Jacket, a thirty-stamp mill was packed into the area. A few years later, additional investments doubled its size, making the stamp mill one of Idaho’s largest.
Investors decided to build an aerial tramway to reduce production costs, but packing in the eight thousand feet of needed cable was not easy. Using the backs of twenty mules, the cable was laid out in the streets of Challis, and the challenge of moving it began.
Despite all the difficulties of moving the cable to Yellow Jacket, it eventually made it. In 1888, John G. Morrison and his nephews, the Steen brothers, acquired a controlling interest in the mine. Within four years, the family extracted 4800 ounces of gold.
They sold the property in 1892, but the Steen family reacquired Yellow Jacket decades later. The Steen family spent years trying to make the mine profitable again, and finally yielded another round of mineral wealth.
Today, the family says mining is done, and the focus is now on preserving the historic remnants of the 19th-century gold camp.
Remains: The site includes remnants of old mining structures, such as mine shafts, tailings, and dilapidated cabins. These artifacts offer a glimpse into the town’s dynamic past, though they slowly succumb to the elements.
Current Status: Abandoned. Yellow Jacket remains a ghost town with no permanent residents. However, visitors who wish to explore its historical ruins and natural surroundings can visit.
Remarks: Yellow Jacket reflects the transient nature of mining towns, both the promise and peril of the gold rush era. Despite its abandonment, the town is a poignant reminder of the determination and dreams of those who sought fortune in its hills.
The area interests historians, adventurers, and those seeking a connection to the American West’s storied past.
