BAY HORSE

Silver was discovered here in the early 1870's. The town of Bay Horse sprang up nearby.  Miners had been trying to find gold, but could not find it in very much quantity when they hit the rich vein of silver.  The built some beehive charcoal kilns nearby to produce charcoal for smelting.  The mine produced very well through the 1890's.  By 1915, the ore was not profitable to mine anymore, so the mine was shut down.  People abandoned the site as the town died.      Many good buildings still remain at the site, but it is on private property.  Some of the kilns are still half intact at the closeby site.

DIRECTIONS      From Idaho Falls, take Highway 20 west for 66 miles to Arco.  At Arco, take Highway 93 north for 77 miles to Challis.  At Challis, inquire about directions to Bay Horse.  Don't forget to ask where to see the kilns.

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Bay Horse Kilns   Courtesy of Dolores Steele

Old Building   Courtesy of Dolores Steele

Bay Horse Cabin  Courtesy of Dolores Steele