Gnome Mill Site 1932-1937   

     

Ghost Towns of Washington visited Idaho October 2010.


The Gnome Mine produced between 10,000 and 50,000 tons of ore from 1932-1937.  The mine consisted of underground workings, and a 25-ton per day mill that used cyanide to process the ore. 

 

  

          

 

Front of Orogrande Hotel

 

Orograne Hotel staircase



 

 
Mill remains - boiler and ore bin in tact 

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Buffalo Hump District Mine 

Three miles up from Old Orogrande we came across a mill and mine camp.  After hiking up the tailings we found the lode mine.  We could not pinpoint exactly which mine it was. 

It was posssibly the Diamond Hitch or Twin Butte mine.

  
     

            

 
Orogrande Hotel 

 
Mine entrance at the top of the tailing hill 

The name Orogrande is spanish for "coarse gold".  The first businesses were started in Orogrande by James Colgrove who opened the Colgrove Hotel in 1899.  It catered to all the needs of miners travelling to and from Buffalo Hump.

Colgrove also established a post office and a store.  Orogrande was described as an "oasis for trade" supplying mines and miners during the Buffalo Hump boom.

 
Looking up the mine tailings 

 
Mine tunnel

 
Diamond Hitch Mine Orogrande

Looking at the back of the mill from the top of the hill. 

 

 

There are numerous cabins and structures around the mine.  

 

Old Orogrande Site 1899-1930

Site visit 2010