De Lamar, Idaho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Delamar Historic District
|
|
.jpg)
De Lamar, 1898
|
|
 Location in Idaho
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Owyhee County, Idaho |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Silver City, Idaho |
| Area | 1,600 acres (650 ha) |
| Built | 1889 |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000679 |
| Added to NRHP | May 13, 1976 |
De Lamar (sometimes spelled DeLamar) is a fascinating ghost town located in Owyhee County, Idaho, United States. A ghost town is a place that used to be a busy community but is now mostly empty. It sits about 6 mi (9.7 km) west of Silver City. The land around De Lamar is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, which looks after public lands.
Exploring De Lamar's History
De Lamar became a town because of a rich mine. The De Lamar Mine started in 1888. It was named after Joseph Raphael De Lamar, a very successful businessman who owned many mines. He used to be a sea captain before becoming a mining expert.
The Rise and Fall of De Lamar
When the mine opened, De Lamar quickly grew into a busy town. Many people moved there hoping to find work and strike it rich. This fast growth is called a "boom." However, the town's boom didn't last long. After 1890, the mining activity slowed down, and the town started to shrink. This decline is known as a "bust."
Even though the town wasn't as busy as it once was, some people continued to live there for many years. De Lamar even had a special post office that was open only during the summer from 1917 to 1930.
De Lamar as a Historic Place
In 1976, De Lamar was officially recognized as an important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district. This means the area has special historical value and is protected.
The historic district covers a large area, about 1,600 acres (650 ha). However, only four of the original buildings were in good enough shape to be called "contributing properties." These are buildings that help show the history and importance of the district.
