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Northern Idaho Part 2
Travel Excursion
Alter in Old Mission – Cataldo, Idaho – Photo
By Patrice Raplee
By Patrice Raplee
Alone on a hilltop
in the golden afternoon light stands a beautiful Greek revival-style
mission. The old edifice emanates an
aura that whispers of a romantic past. A man dressed in a cassock
is poised on the mission’s steps, beckoning visitors to come and
hear the tale of the oldest standing building in Idaho State.
The Old Mission, located in Cataldo, Idaho, bares a remarkable
history and a mystical aura. Built in 1850 by members of the Coeur
d’Alene Indian Tribe and Catholic missionaries, the Old Mission was
fashioned out of hand-hewn timbers. The wooden frame was then woven
with grass or straw and sealed with mud (wattle and daub method).
Years later, the interior and exterior walls were covered with boards.
The interior of the Old Mission is exquisite with old-world paintings,
a lovely domed altar and ornate hand-carved wooden filigree ceiling
panels, stained with Idaho huckleberries. The bluish stain from the
berries is still prevalent today.
Father Antonio Ravalli, an Italian Jesuit, designed the mission
and created many of the hand-carved statues and paintings, including
the painted altar that looks like pure marble. Ravalli was an amazingly
educated and accomplished artist and priest. His extensive training
across multiple disciplines (science, theology, art, medicine, literature
etc.) prepared him for the task of creating a church of rare beauty
from materials at hand in mid 1800s-Idaho. Ravalli’s strong bond
with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, his teachings and creation of the Old
Mission, has inextricably linked him with Idaho’s incredible history.
Upon
visiting the Old Mission, inquire at the visitor’s center (located several yards
below the mission) about the Living History Black Robe Presentation.
Park ranger Lonnie Johnson presents a riveting reenactment of Brother
Francis, a missionary and carpenter who worked closely with Ravalli
(Hollywood would be lucky to get this guy). These fascinating interpreter
programs take visitors back in time to experience the Old Missionary’s
inception and interaction of the European missionaries and Coeur d’Alene
Tribe. The new Visitor’s Center will be completed in the fall of ’08
with an extensive Native American exhibit entitled Sacred Encounters.
For additional information, visit http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/oldmission.aspx
Crystal Gold Mine – George
Cornell demonstrates hand-steeling method for dynamite - Photo By
Patrice Raplee
Mines and Museums
Idaho is known as the silver capital, yet various other metals
are mined as well, such as gold and base metals. Idaho’s mining boom
in the 1800s shaped the state’s economy, built cities and played
host to colorful western characters such as Wyatt Earp and Calamity
Jane. Several mining claims from Idaho’s past are now mine tours
and their history is equally as colorful. The Crystal Gold Mine in
Kellogg, located 30 miles southeast of Coeur d’Alene off Interstate
90, was lost for over 100 years. Tom Erwin originally discovered
the mine in 1879 and worked it for three years before disappearing,
never to be seen again. The mine was unearthed in 1991 due to water
seepage from the hillside and it was discovered that the drift continued
550 feet into the hillside. Also found were the track, mining car
and tools just as Erwin had left them, as if he had planned to come
back. Today, the mine is open for tours with all of Erwin’s mining
accoutrements still in place. Carbonate crystal and stalactite formations,
as well as gold spots and silver, gleam brightly from the tunnel
walls and are a great photo opportunity. The tours are intriguing,
and are led along a well-lit concrete pathway that follows the drift
back to an underground water expanse. At the end of the tour, there
is gold panning outside of the mine. This is good fun but addicting
as panners find bits of garnet, purple amethyst, iron pyrite and
various gems in large water-filled gravel bins. For additional information
on Crystal Gold Mine, visit http://www.goldmine-idaho.com
Another interesting mine tour to mention is the Sierra Silver
Mine Tour, located in Wallace, Idaho. For additional information,
visit http://www.silverminetour.org
Mining museums in Kellogg and Wallace present a larger dimension
and bring to life Idaho’s top industry with historical information,
photographs, tools, stories and artifacts. The Shoshone County Mining
and Smelting Museum in Kellogg, is located in the old Bunker Hill
Staff House and is a great place to spend an afternoon perusing local
lore. The Wallace District Mining Museum located on Bank Street in
Wallace, looks a bit like a tourist shop upon entering, but jaunt
to your right and continue on into the museum. Numerous mining artifacts
and historical paraphernalia such as an old linotype machine fill
the large room in a dizzying display. In the back of the museum,
interpretive video programs are shown in the 30-seat theater illustrating
the region’s mining history and stories of the success and hardship
of the early mining era. For additional information on the Shoshone
County Mining and Smelting Museum in Kellogg, visit http://www.staffhousemuseum.com
For additional information on the Wallace District Mining
Museum, visit http://www.wallace-id.com/business.html#tourist.
For an unusual museum experience if you’re in Wallace, Idaho,
tour the famous Oasis Bordello Museum. Located on Cedar Street, the
bordello was originally a hotel and saloon in 1895. Popular with
the local miners, the Oasis eventually turned into a brothel and
continued business until 1988. After an apparent raid in ’88, the
bordello’s occupants beat a hasty retreat leaving everything behind.
Today, the museum remains exactly as it was in ’88. A bag of groceries
still sits on the kitchen counter and the pantry displays boxes of
red light bulbs. The lower portion of the Oasis features interesting
bits of memorabilia and mannequins dressed in apparel from past eras.
This fascinating tour is tactful, interesting and amusing; it provides
a glimpse of the ladies’ lives in a small town bordello that ran
for almost 90 years.
Restaurants
Wallace is famous for the Jameson Restaurant Saloon & Inn,
located on Sixth Street. It is reputedly haunted according to several
generations of employees and guests. By the appearance of the charmingly
decorated Victorian upper rooms, it would seem entirely possible.
However, the comfort-food style menu is quite good and the restaurant
is fashioned in warm, wood tones with an inviting period atmosphere.
The Jameson is an excellent place to enjoy dinner and possibly spend
the night in room number six, if you dare.
For addition information, call (208) 556-6000
The Enaville Resort, located a few miles northwest of Kellogg,
is a restaurant with a chronicle spanning over 100 years. Commonly
known as the Snake Pit, this log cabin-styled establishment serves
some great food and history. Although there are no accommodations,
Enaville used to cater to miners. Their barbeque and fabulous salad
bar are so satisfying, especially if you just pulled up on your bicycle
after a long ride on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.
In Coeur d’Alene, stop by the Coeur d’Alene Brewing Company
for lunch. The original brew house dates back to the 1908 and transitioned
to its current location after state prohibition in 1986. The CBC
has consistently produced some of the finest beers and ales around,
especially their Rockford Bay. Their bottling line (a cool old 1940s
Pepsi bottling line refitted for beer) produces small amounts of
quality and seasonal beers, such as Strawberry Hefeweizen. The menu
offers a cross section of lunch pub fare but tastily prepared. For
additional information, visit http://www.cdabrewing.com
For an upscale dining experience and exceptional cuisine,
reserve seats at Beverly’s, located in the exquisite Coeur d’Alene
Golf & Spa Resort. The elegant ambience of the perfectly situated
restaurant, presents a full view of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Beverly’s
deserves the distinction as one of the top restaurants in America
with their discerning standards in quality and presentation. Shellfish
and prime tenderloin beef are their signature specialties with a
focus on regional accompaniments. For a unique salver, order the
Shellfish Tower presented in a superb arrangement. For additional
information, visit http://www.cdaresort.com
Accommodations
The
absolute top pick for accommodations in Idaho is Silver Mountain
Resort’s Morning
Star Lodge, located in Kellogg. Close to virtually every summer and
winter sports and family activity, this beautiful, yet comfortable
and surprisingly affordable establishment provides gorgeous rooms with
kitchenettes and sumptuous loft suites with spiral staircases. The
modern rooms are designed in warm tones with stone tile accents and
deliciously comfortable beds. The bathrooms are good sized with white
wainscoting and stone tile floors/ tub walls. The room’s balcony is
complete with a small table and two chairs, perfect for relaxing over
a cup of coffee and gazing at the mountains. For deeper relaxation,
the resort’s rooftop sports a generous hot tub with mountain views.
Gondola Village, located within the resort, features Silver Beach Day
Spa (a full facility spa). Their soothing hot rock massage is sublime
and room massages are available as well.
Silver Mountain is soon to open in early ’08; their spectacular
Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark is the largest in the Northwest. The
ultimate water playground for kids and adults of all ages is completely
accessible all-year-round as an indoor facility! Summer is a grand
opportunity to ride the resort’s Gondola up three miles of scenic
mountain and meadow views. Alternatively, bicycle the Trail of the
Coeur d’Alenes next to the resort. Winter ski season is the time
to step out Silver Mountain’s back door and ride the lift up to 73
different runs with 300 inches annually of snow. Whether you ski,
snowboard, or just want to go snow tubing, Silver Mountain is one
of the best all-year resorts in the Pacific Northwest. For additional
information, visit http://www.silvermt.com
The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort presides as the premiere resort
in Idaho. This romantic establishment is definitely for the chic
set with their famous golf course and new spa touted as paramount
in the Northwest. Visit the renowned Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa
Resort. For additional information, visit http://www.cdaresort.com
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