Silver City's Nefarious Water Monster

One afternoon when I was in Idaho Jodi and I threw the dogs into the car and drove to Silver City, Idaho.

Silver City is a ghost town located in Owyhee County, Idaho.  Founded in 1864 soon after silver was discovered at nearby War Eagle Mountain.  The settlement grew rapidly and was considered one of the major cities in Idaho Territory. The first daily newspaper and telegraph office in Idaho Territory were established in Silver City and the town was among the first places in Idaho to receive electric and telephone service.  Silver City served as county seat of Owyhee County from 1867 to 1934.

Around the time Idaho became a state and the mines were played out Silver City began a slow decline, due in part to its extremely remote location. Silver City was never completely abandoned. Today, the town has about 70 remaining buildings, all of which are privately owned. Many of the owners are descendants of the original miners. There are a three remaining small businesses.

Silver City is located 25 miles southwest of Murphy via a dirt road.

The drive up the long winding dirt road provides some stunning scenery.  While the road is in good condition, it is not for the faint of heart.  If you are as afraid of heights as me - I recommend investing in a pair of Depends disposable underwear prior to embarking. 

Who put the dogs in my landscape shots again?

Gorgeous.  I love the arid landscape.

Are we really that high up?

After a long 20 mile drive on a dirt road we arrived in Silver City.

As we were wandering around taking pictures I made up little stories in my mind about who lived & died here.  Then had the find the bathroom.

I ran to the Hotel.  Begged for a bathroom.  The young man in there pointed me up the dirt road to the nearest outhouse  I ran there as fast as I could with my legs crossed. 

What kind of cruel sadistic person locks a outhouse?   It must have been a man - men who have the ability to pee just about anywhere.  So, I did what any self respecting woman does when faced with a locked outhouse...I dropped my drawers and squatted behind it praying no one saw the large moon rising in the bushes.  

Moving on...

Keeping with the historical spirit of the city I decided to process several of these photos in black and white.  Hope it works.

Old wagon wheels.  

Old Masonic Lodge established in 1881. Okay this picture makes my eyes hurt - obviously I did something wrong in post processing. 

Deadman Alley.  I wonder how it got its name?  Perhaps it was located next to the saloon?   The house if ill repute?  Maybe a woman beaned her hubby with a frying pan? 

The Meat Market.  I think of something entirely different today when I hear the expression "meat market".  Don't you?  It makes me remember smoky bars, well drinks, young men and loud music....and the sting of rejection.  Ahhh those were the days - NOT! 

The drug store.  Think of the drugs they had back then.  Willow bark tea, snake oil, opium, liniment...a hammer. 

Old home with barn

Idaho Standard School

After wandering through the town we hiked up the hill to the cemetery to read grave stones.  It was so hot we decided to have a picnic near the stream running through town.  The dogs enjoyed the break.

Leave it to us.  Two border collie crazy women with camera's to take more pictures of our dogs playing in the water than the town itself.

Then Beth spotted something odd in the creek. 

 What is that?

"HELP!  Come Quick!  LOOK LOOK LOOK!"   Beth shouted out the alarm!

Brynn was equally puzzled.  They had never seen anything like this before.

Brynn decided to investigate.

She got closer....

When suddenly it rose from the depths, like a great white shark...snapping her jaws of doom!

Echo the Water Monster!

No water escaped her wrath

Snapping & churning

Now we know the real story behind the decline of Silver City. 

Can we say "Whack Nut"?

"Who me?"

"Oh yes, Echo.  You have confirmed our suspicions. You are nuts"

Perhaps not...'nuts' ...rather a tad bit unhinged. 

Like most border collies.

"Who you calling unhinged?" 

"Take it back Camera Face...or I will beat you with my stick. "

"Brynn is gonna help me"

"We will show you unhinged"

"You should be afraid Camera Face, be very afraid!"

"Apologize to Border Collie's everywhere or I will shake all over your camera"

*Sigh*

Bad dogs.