Historic Wallace Idaho

The historic mining town of Wallace (population 784) is nestled beneath Interstate 90, halfway between two ski and recreation areas in northern Idaho's beautiful Silver Valley. The town has long been famous as the "Silver Capital of the World" with 1.2 billion ounces of silver produced in Shoshone county since 1884. Silver mining is still a big part of our economy, but today it is carried out in total harmony with a pristine mountain environment that attracts outdoor recreation enthusiasts from around the world. Some folks come for the deep powder at the two ski areas, or the variety of bicycle trails, or the solitude of alpine lakes, but all agree, this is the place to play. And for us lucky ones, this is a great place to live.

Wallace is also known for the fact that every downtown building is on the National Register of Historic Places... which is why the government finally had to go over us instead of through us in order to complete the Interstate Highway system in 1991. Now the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes paved bike path is directly under Interstate 90 as it passes above Wallace, following the famous South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River through the narrow Silver Valley: the only place on earth where more than a billion ounces of silver were mined in 100 years.

Wallace continues to make news every year; check out our recent accomplishments!

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With Silver Mountain and Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Areas a dozen Interstate miles away in each direction, the area around Wallace is a full-season mountain recreation paradise. Winter embraces alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Fishing, mountain and road biking, mountain climbing, hiking and backpacking, river rafting and kayaking, golf, and motorized exploration on two or four wheels occupy outdoor recreation enthusiasts from spring to fall. Bow, rifle and muzzleloader hunting for deer and elk is naturally popular each fall. Moose tags are awarded by lottery to Idaho residents who then have one chance per lifetime to harvest the huge game. Black bears may be hunted during the fall and spring, while mountain lions are fair game September through March. New in 2012, two zipline tours high above Wallace combine adventure with spectacular scenery. Open May thru September, these are the only ziplines on I-90.

Popular visitor attractions, in addition to the many gift, jewelry and antique shops, are the Sierra Silver Mine Tour, the Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum, the Wallace District Mining Museum, the Oasis Bordello Museum, and the Sixth Street Melodrama.

The Wallace Swimming Pool was built in 1939 as a WPA project. Full restoration was carried out by the community from 1999 to 2007 at a cost of $265,000. The pool is open during the summer from 11 AM to 5 PM, Monday thru Saturday, and from noon to 5 PM on Sundays. Kids 12 and under are 50¢; everyone else is $1. Lap swim: 5 to 6 PM, weekdays, 50¢. Night swim: 6 to 8 PM, $1.

The 2008 town map is presented in separate windows as a 1008 pixel, 96 dpi JPG image, a 10.5 inch, 300 dpi JPG print, and as the original PDF file. An interactive map of downtown Wallace, as it was in the spring of 2001, may also be opened in a separate window. Wallace businesses that have opened, closed, moved across town or changed ownership since then are itemized below this archival map.

The Sierra Silver Mine Trolly
is about to run over the
Center of the Universe
on its way to the
Wallace BUSINESS page,
updated December 21, 2014.

South Hill Stairs Project

During the summer of 1996, Wallace was the location of the spectacular volcano disaster movie Dante's Peak, starring Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton. Fourteen years after the mayor of Dante's Peak (Linda Hamilton) accepted an award for the "Second Best Small Town In America," we accepted an award from the American Planning Association for the "(Third) Best Street in America" at the same location: the intersection of Sixth and Bank Streets. ... A spot also regarded as the Center of the Universe .      more details

However, EVERY year our village of 784 hosts an amazing range of festivals and special events that help make this the most unique and fascinating small town in America!

For three days in July 2009, the 10^th Slippery Gulch celebration since 1920 was held in concert with an All-Class Reunion and the town's 125^th birthday party. The graceful Girls of Slippery Gulch and the hilarious Wallace Men's Culture Club made nine, five-act stage performances in the packed Civic Center.
For the holiday season, you can order the two hour, 15 minute DVD, Wallace Idaho's Slippery Gulch, 1920 - 2000, two different T-shirts and/or the Culture Club poster! So when you think "stocking stuffer" in the months ahead, remember your special times in Wallace, the most festive small town in America.

Twenty-two interactive photos from the 1910 Fire Commemoration and 2010 Huckleberry Festival, August 19 - 21, are presented on a new "Photos and Winners" page, along with key references about the Great 1910 Fire, and the complete list of winners from the annual 5K Huckleberry fun run.

Huckleberry Festival 2010
5K Race Results
 
Huckleberry Festival 2014
5K Race Results

The 27^th Annual Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum Festival and Classic Car Show on May 12, 2012, was very well attended with over 300 vehicles on display in historic downtown Wallace. See photos, video and the winners.

Due to fantastic spring skiing conditions, SILVER MOUNTAIN reopened for a FREE "Silver Sunday" on May 13, 2012, courtesy of Dave Smith Motors. Check out more photos and the updated 2011/12 snow log commentary for this first-ever event.