Jerry Smith - Boom Towns & Relic Hunters of Washington State : Exploring Washington’s Historic Ghost Towns & Mining Camps

Seattle, Washington Portland, Oregon Denver, Colorado Vancouver, B.C.

To my father and best friend, Lloyd E. Smith (19211996), who took me to Winthrop at the age of fifteen to see and explore
the mountains and valleys of Okanogan country in search of those ghost towns and mining camps of yesteryear. Thanks, Dad!

Important Notice ................................................................................................................... vii Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................. ix Introduction ......................................................................................................................... xiii

Ghost Towns of Chelan County ...................................................................................... 79
Ghost Towns of Ferry County ......................................................................................... 81

Nighthawk: The Way Things Were ................................................................................ 165
Nighthawk: Mining Claims Turn to Riches .................................................................. 167

The lands on which many of the ghost towns and mines presented in this book are located are private lands and are strictly off-limits for entry except when explicit permission has been given.

The author, publisher, staff, and any and all associates or partners involved in the production of this book do not endorse, condone, or suggest illegal trespassing onto any private property or Native American lands presented in this book. We do not accept liability for those who trespass onto lands presented in this book.

We do not accept liability for any loss or injury to persons or property that occurs as a result of content included in this book. Trespassing and acquiring entry permission onto lands mentioned in this book, as well as personal safety, are solely the responsibility of any and all persons visiting lands mentioned in this book. This disclaimer is considered a fair and reasonable warning and notice to those who visit said lands.

A birds-eye view looking south down Main Street/Riverside Avenue in downtown Winthrop in its early years. The largest building in the center of the photo was Guy Warings Methow Trading Company, which was located on the corner where Sheris Sweet Shop is today. The Winthrop Hotel can be seen in the right center of the picture and remains today as the renowned Winthrop Palace. The Duck Brand Saloon in the left center of the photo stands today as the present town hall and Winthrop Chamber of Commerce visitor/information center.

would like to acknowledge Washingtons early pioneers, miners, prospectors, and Native Americans. Without them and their accomplishments, we would have none of this history. These individuals had the courage and strong wills that were a match for this rugged yet fascinating land. Also, thanks to those descendants of pioneer families who are still part of the life of the Okanogan country today, who have shared their recollections with me.

Special thanks to my nephew Jim OBrien, Web master and designer of our Web site, Boom Towns & Relic Hunters of Northeastern Washington ( www.GhostTownsUSA.com ), for his guidance and direction. Special recognition to my diverse team of experts and to the Boom Towns & Relic Hunters crew for their years of hard work and dedication.Thanks especially to my wife, Laurie, and my son, Cody, for their understanding and patience.

Special Individual Contributors
Ann Briley
Chief Sar-Sarp-Kin: Last Chief of the Sinlahekin Band William C. Brown
Chief Tonasket
The Okanogan Trail: The Road North
Dale Dibble
The Red Shirt Mine
Herb Gatewood
Historic Mining Documents
Mabel Gavin
Old Loup Loup: The Lost City
Lawrence K. Hodges
Mining in Historic Okanogan County
Charles C. Kerr
Does a Cliff of Copper Overlook Old Gilbert? John Lester
Historic Mining Documents
Kjell Lester
Harts Pass Area History

Loretta Louis
Ruby City: The Life and Death of a Mining Town Farrell W. Phillips
The Mystery Canyon
The Trinidad Treasure
Robert H. Ruby
The Moses Reservation
Harry A. Sherling
The Tungsten Mine
Rob Stone
Gold Hill
Nighthawk: The Way Things Were
Nighthawk: Mining Claims Turn to Riches Keith Whiting
The Azurite Mine
Bruce A. Wilson
Okanogan Countys Mysterious China Wall More About David McLoughlin, the Man in Charge The Coming of Chief Joseph

Historical Societies & Museums
Chelan County Historical Society (Cashmere)
Ferry County Historical Society (Republic)
Kittitas County Historical Museum (Ellensburg) Northern Kittitas County Historical Society (Cle Elum) Okanogan County Historical Society (Okanogan) Okanogan Highlands Museum (Molson)
Pend Oreille County Historical Society Museum (Newport) Shafer Museum (Winthrop)
Stevens County Historical Society (Colville)

Photo Credits
MSCUA, University of Washington Libraries Chief Joseph (NA614)
Guy Waring, Methow Trading Post (UW2318) National Museum of History
Chief Sar-sarp-kin
Okanogan County Historical Society Alex Barron and Guy Waring (collection #1011) Main Street Loomis (collection #175)
Ruby (collection #s X00221 and X00223) Hiram F. Okanogan Smith (collection #688) Winthrop (collection #s 2809 and X04065) Oregon Historical Society collection Jonathan Bourne Jr.