National Register of Historic Places listings in Custer County, Idaho facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about old buildings and places that tell a story? In Custer County, Idaho, there are many such special spots! These places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special list kept by the United States government. It helps protect important buildings, sites, and areas that have a lot of history.
When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its unique past. It could be an old house, a school, a mining town, or even a place where ancient people lived. Custer County has 38 of these amazing historic places. Let's explore some of them and learn about their cool stories!
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Exploring Historic Places in Custer County
Ghost Towns and Mining History
Custer County is famous for its mining past. Many towns grew quickly when gold and silver were found, then became quiet "ghost towns" when the mines closed.
Bayhorse Ghost Town
One exciting place is Bayhorse. It's a real ghost town that used to be a busy silver mining center. Today, it's part of the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park. You can visit and imagine what life was like for miners long ago.
Custer Historic District
Another important mining area is the Custer Historic District. This district is found along Yankee Fork Road, southwest of Challis. It's deep inside the Challis National Forest. Like Bayhorse, Custer was a lively mining community. It holds many stories from the days of the Idaho gold rush.
Life in Early Challis
The town of Challis has many historic buildings. These buildings show us what life was like for people living there over a hundred years ago.
Challis Cold Storage
The Challis Cold Storage building was built in 1881. It was owned by George L. Shoup, who later became the governor of Idaho! Sadly, this historic building collapsed during the 1983 Borah Peak earthquake. This earthquake was a very powerful natural event that changed many things in the area.
Challis High School
The original Challis High School, built in 1922, also suffered greatly from the 1983 earthquake. It was so badly damaged that it had to be taken down. These events remind us how powerful nature can be and how it affects even strong, old buildings.
Other Historic Buildings in Challis
Many other buildings in Challis are on the National Register. These include old homes like the Bill Chivers House and the Thomas Chivers House. There's also the Custer County Jail and the I.O.O.F. Hall. These places give us a peek into the daily lives and community structures of early Challis.
Ancient History and Archeological Sites
Custer County isn't just about mining towns. It also has very old sites that tell us about the first people who lived here thousands of years ago.
Challis Bison Jump Site
One fascinating place is the Challis Bison Jump Site. This was a spot where ancient people hunted bison. They would cleverly guide herds of bison over a cliff, making it easier to get food for their communities. This site helps scientists learn about ancient hunting methods and the lives of early Native Americans.
Redfish Archeological District
The Redfish Archeological District near Stanley is another important area. Archeological districts are places where many ancient artifacts and signs of human activity are found. These sites help us understand how people lived, what tools they used, and how they interacted with the land long before modern towns existed.
Note: Some very old or sensitive sites, like the Challis Bison Jump Site and the Redfish Archeological District, have "Address Restricted" status. This means their exact location is kept secret to protect them from damage and to preserve their historical value.
Nature and Ranches
Beyond towns and ancient sites, Custer County's natural beauty and its history of ranching are also recognized.
Stanley Ranger Station
The Stanley Ranger Station is a historic building located south of Stanley. Ranger stations are important for managing forests and protecting wildlife. This station shows the history of how people have worked to care for Idaho's amazing natural lands.
Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch
The Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch is another special place. It's located south of Stanley on Idaho State Highway 75. Ranches played a huge role in the development of Idaho. This ranch represents the history of farming and ranching in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.
These are just a few of the many historic places in Custer County. Each one holds a piece of Idaho's past, waiting for you to discover its story!
Images for kids
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Some historic sites have restricted addresses to protect them.
