Wallace is one of the few towns
in America where the whole community is on the National
Historic Register. Lying alongside Interstate 90, east of
Coeur d'Alene, the town is a living testament to the
early silver mining days in the state, complete with an
original historic hotel. The Coeur d'Alene District
Mining Museum provides a good overview of the town's
history with a slide show, mining relics, photos and
displays of old mining techniques.
The downtown area features many original
buildings including the Northern Pacific Railroad
Depot -- now a museum -- built of bricks imported
from China, the former courthouse -- the Smokehouse
Building, built in 1890, the Queen Anne-style
Rossi Building, and the old White & Bender
grocery store building now occupied by Silver Capital
Arts. These buildings and more were designed by some of
the leading architects of the day. The Sierra Silver
Mine Tour leaves hourly from downtown Wallace, taking
visitors on a surrey ride and then into the mine which
extends deep into the ground. You're allowed to pick up
and take core samples from the mine floor.
What to See & Do
This beautiful mountain region called the
Silver Valley is home to many artists and crafts people
and one of the best places to visit to sample local works
of art is in an old 1900 log home which has been
converted into the Cottage Creations Gallery. It's
located just west of Wallace on old Highway 10 (Osburn
Frontage Rd.). North of Wallace are several old mining
camps. The best preserved of these is Murray,
where a former bar is now a museum.
Between Coeur d'Alene and Wallace are
several points of interest. Idaho's oldest building, the
Cataldo Mission, was constructed by the Coeur
d'Alene Indians in 1850 for Father Ravalli, a Jesuit
missionary. With foot-thick walls, built without nails,
the mission is perfectly situated in a mountain pine
forest. It has a domed altar, elaborately carved statues
and a large wooden cross. The Coming of the Black
Robes Pageant is held annually, in mid-August.
Enaville is a resort area near the mission;
another of the little historic towns of the valley, this
one offers camping in private and forest campgrounds and
the old "Snake Pit" Hotel which now serves food and drink
to visitors.
Day Trips from Wallace
A scenic way to travel between Enaville and
Wallace, is the backroad tour along the North Fork of the
Coeur d'Alene River to Pritchard, another old
mining camp. The tour continues to Murray, and
across King's Pass and Dobson Pass to
Wallace.
At Pritchard, another backroad leads north
past the Avery Creek Picnic Area with a right fork
road leading beside Shoshone Creek to the Berlin Flats
(forest) Campground and the left fork road leading to
several more forest recreation sites and a trail which
leads to Shadow Falls and Fern Falls.
Hotels
The Historic Jamieson Hotel
6th & Pine streets
(208) 556-1554
This old, small hotel is an absolute gem -- a vintage
1908 brick building in downtown Wallace, turned into a
fine B&B inn with six rooms and shared baths. The inn
is airy and delightfully decorated. Continental breakfast
is served and there's a great restaurant downstairs. The
Jamieson Saloon is also in the building.
Wallace Inn
100 Front Street (208) 752-1252
Best Western, rooms and suites, at the West Wallace
Plaza. This is a modern motor hotel.
Camping
Blue Anchor Trailer Park
(208) 752-3443
There are 40 sites for RVs and trailers with hookups and
propane. It's near exit 57 off Interstate 90.
