Sign Text for Idaho Landmark #466:
An old ferry near here took thousands of eager fortune hunters to a trail that climbed out of this canyon to rich gold fields discovered at Pierce in 1860.
You can still follow their spectacular route to Weippe Prairie, where in 1805 Lewis and Clark met a Nez Perce band that helped save their expedition. Continuing on, you can reach Idaho’s oldest public building—Pierce Courthouse, built in 1862. Take State Highway 11.
More about the Gold Rush Ferry:
Between fall of 1860 (when Captain Elias Pierce found gold in Canal Ditch) and the end of 1861, over 10,000 miners flooded into this corner of Idaho! This gold rush attracted lots of miners from California, who were basically hopping from rush to rush, and was mostly placer style mining, rather than quartz! After two years, the placers were pretty well spent, and the prospectors went elsewhere in search of riches, leaving the local Nez Perce surrounded by settlers!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer with the Idaho State Historical Society!
- Become a member of the Idaho State Historical Society!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
NE corner of US 12 and Greer Grade Road
Greer, ID 83543
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Whenever the mood strikes you!