It was a toss up to model this one or the Hecla.
One of the oldest street scenes of Burke
Another neat couple of prominent features in the town that are on my bucket list are the catholic church and the school. A resemblance of each of these buildings is in the bucket.
More street scenes
I will complete the tour with the other incredible mine and mill in the area the Hercules. If you are on the road tour on google maps as you head North past the Hecla the canyon forks, to the left is Gorge Gulch. Up gorge Gulch was the Hercules.
You can thank Bob. When someone takes in interest in the turn of the century Silver Valley and especially the happenings of the Railroad or Canyon Creek its kinda like lighting a powder keg. I used to think I hated history. My least favorite subject in school. But once I discovered how rich and interesting my local history was I fell in love.
As the crow flies just North and West of Burke is a town called Murray on Pritchard Creek. This is where gold was found. and for a brief period after the O.K. Corral incident Wyatt Earp found his way there and served as Sheriff of the county I live in Kootenai. https://cdapress.com/news/2018/dec/23/what-did-wyatt-earp-do-after-he-was-deputy-5/
Thanks to Sandborn Fire maps. I have been able to identify many of the buildings in about 1890 when I have the most interest in the area.
Burke on the north end of this area.
and Gem, Idaho where the Hecla is. Both 1892
“Driving” up NF7623, it looks like its paved (for certain values of ‘paved’) until you get to a power substation, then there’s a “Road not maintained for winter travel” sign, and it turns to gravel. The road continues and parallels a set of power lines. Road looks in pretty good shape when these pictures were taken (Oct 2021) It looks like it goes all the way through. Love these old forest roads.
I guess you are right Bob. It does go all the way through. I can honestly say I have never driven past the substation. I always thought the road dead ended. I guess I know where I am driving this spring.
Comes out on the Thompson Pass Road. Interesting, never knew that. Thanks Bob.
Bob since you are chasing my story on Google Maps, you can still see the scar where the Hercules was if you turn left up Gorge Gulch just past the Hecla.
Here is a puff piece video for Hecla Mining, has a few glimpses into the past.
Great piece Jim,
They mention the Lucky Friday which is in Mullen Idaho to the South and East of Burke. This mine is very active and as they mention in the video is now over 10,000 feet below the surface (two miles). I have heard rumor but have not verified it that the Lucky Friday and the Starr (one of the shafts at the Hecla in Burke) are connected underground.
Here is an article that has a few pics and some background: http://www.nostalgiamagazine.net/2018/09/09/burke-idaho-and-its-neighbors-in-canyon-creek-mace-and-gem/
Cheers!
I need to make a correction. I said that Burke as I call it is Burke and Gem. Thats not correct it is Burke and Mace.
Here is a topo map from 1901 showing the whole area. It shows all the towns and mines in and around the time I want to model.
If you go back to the link I shared of the Barnard Stockbridge collection and type anyone of those towns or mines there is a lot of photos of this area from the late 1880’s to 1920s and beyond.
Nice group of pics on the town growth and layout Devon. Thank you.
Anyone have any insight on the cover over the tenders (pilot?) ?
Inquiring minds would like to know. I’ve never seen the likes before 
So where do they keep the paddles??? 
I am going to make a complete guess here. But this was a steep grade and there was no place to turn locomotives until they made it back down the canyon. So they pushed cars up and back the locos down. So I am sure the pilot itself is just like any other pilot in that it is on the front of the train at least when its backing down. They did this to prevent boiler explosions and the lack of a turn around. Why it is covered. . .I have no clue. . .maybe to push finer material to the side that would normally slip through?
I forgot another piece of interesting trivia from Burke. It is the home town of Lana Turner.
