Business in Historic Wallace Idaho
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The 2008 town map is presented in separate windows as a 1008 pixel, 96 dpi JPG image, a 10.5 inch, 300 dpi JPG print, and as the original PDF file. An interactive map of downtown Wallace, as it was in the spring of 2001, may also be opened in a separate window. Wallace businesses that have opened, closed, moved across town or changed ownership since then are itemized below this archival map. Changes in the business scene since then are discussed in the essay "Opportunity of a Lifetime," last updated in April 2007. Since we have had a national recession since then, an update is obviously on my to-do list.
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| Tourist Attractions | Accommodations |
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| Indoor Recreation | Financial Services |
| Retail Stores | Retail Services |
| Professionals | Civic and Promotional Organizations |
Tourist Attractions
| Sierra Silver Mine Tour | ||
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420 Fifth Street Wallace, ID 83873 (208) 752-5151 silverminetour.org |
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| This is the only tour of its kind in the Northwest. It offers a rare and exciting opportunity to personally experience the underground world of mining in the richest silver district on earth. The tour begins by boarding a sixteen passenger trolley. On the short trip to and from the mine portal, a narrated tour is given of Historic Wallace. Hard hats are issued at the portal and an experienced miner is your guide as you walk through the main drift of the mine. Displays and exhibits are explained so people of all ages may safely observe equipment in operation and see modern and historical techniques used to mine silver, lead and zinc. | ||
| Wallace District Mining Museum | ||
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509 Bank Street Wallace, ID 83873 |
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| (208) 556-1592 | ||
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The Silver Valley is the richest primary silver producing mining region in the world. As the center of the mining district and a hub of commerce, Wallace earned the title of the Silver Capital of the World. In just one hundred twenty-five years, over 1.2 BILLION Troy ounces of silver have been produced from mines in this valley, along with 8.4 million tons of lead and 3.3 million tons of zinc. More than five hundred thousand Troy ounces of gold and over two hundred thousand tons of copper have been produced from these mines as well. At the beginning of 2010, about 700 people work in Silver Valley mines, where another billion ounces of silver waits to be extracted from thousands of feet below the surface. The museum captures the impact of mining history with artifacts and exhibits depicting the hardships, toils and home life of the period. An exhibit of photographs and commissioned paintings helps bring the reality of those early days to light. An eighteen minute video about the gold and silver rushes of the 1880's, the mining wars of the 1890's, the Great 1910 Fire and everything else that has happened since then, is shown by request in a thirty seat theater. |
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Mining Companies associated with the Silver Valley
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Greg Marsh, wallace-id.com author, entertains visitors' questions every weekend | |
| Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum | ||
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219 Sixth Street Wallace, ID 83873 |
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| (208) 752-0111 | ||
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The elegant chateau styled depot, which houses the two story museum, was built at the turn of the century with unique brick transported from China and concrete panels made from mine tailings. Railroads have been an integral part of the mining district since 1887. In 1976, while still in business as a railroad station, the depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A decade later, after the station closed, it was moved 200 feet to make way for the completion of Interstate 90. The celebrated move, rehabilitation and conversion to a museum cost nearly two-thirds of a million dollars. Each year in early May, the town celebrates Depot Day in conjunction with a Classic Car Show that draws entrants from the entire Inland Northwest. |
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| Oasis Bordello Museum | ||
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605 Cedar Street Wallace, ID 83873 |
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| (208) 753-0801 | ||
| When the final occupants of the Oasis Rooms left in January 1988 (the last recorded date in the "hotel" registry), they seemed to have left in a hurry. Clothing, makeup, toiletries, food and personal items were all left behind. An accurate and tastefully-presented twenty-minute tour of the upper rooms explains the mystery of the ladies' hasty departure and gives a glimpse into the town's bawdy past with details that range from poignant to hilarious. The main floor is an unusual gift shop adorned with Robert Thomas murals that depict the realities of mining in an earlier era. The two-story brick building began its existence in 1895 as a hotel and saloon, and is one of the few structures in Wallace to survive the famous 1910 fire. At that time, Wallace men outnumbered women by nearly 200 to 1. The Oasis was one of FIVE brothels operating without hinderance on Wallace's main street until 1973. | ||
For more information, email the Madam at
mslillie@yahoo.com |
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| Sixth Street Melodrama | |
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212 Sixth Street Wallace, ID 83873 |
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| (208) 752-8871 (Box Office) (877) SIXTHST (toll free) | |
| Since 1984, this cozy and unique 80-seat theater has encouraged audience participation during its melodramas and musical variety shows performed year-round. Built in 1891, the Lux Building is the oldest remaining wood frame building in Wallace's historic business district. From 1899 to 1977, the upstairs was famous as a "ladies' boarding house." Actually, "Lux Rooms" was one of the town's five celebrated brothels. Visit www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com for additional information. | |
The Twenty Eighth Season of FALL MELODRAMAruns from November 4 through 20, 2011.
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Back Home on the Grange Country Music Comedy Review to find the THE Best of the Best Written and Directed by Joy Persoon
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| Wallace District Arts Center | |
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610 Bank Street Wallace, ID 83873 |
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| Sadly, the Community Arts Center closed its doors at the end of September, 2007. Many people in the Silver Valley miss this popular cultural attraction, learning center and display of original local art. However, a new gallery in town, The Sixth Street Gallery (listed under Specialty Shops) fills some of the community's aesthetic needs. | |
| In 1999, the Arts Center moved from the Eagles Building on Cedar Street into the historic Coeur d'Alene Hardware Company building on Bank Street. The renovated facility offered the public a spacious fine arts gallery where special art exhibits were presented every four to six weeks. A gift shop run by volunteers featured art, crafts and jewelry made by local and regional artists and artisans. Frequent classes in various types of media were also offered. | |
| During 2008, the historic Coeur d'Alene Hardware Company was dramatically transformed into the Wallace Brewing Company, which opened its doors early in 2009. | |
Stardust Motel
Ryan Hotel
Smoke
House Barbecue and Saloon
612 Bank Street
The Desperate Diva
Del Sanborn
Fred Manthey, Gem State Specialists
North Idaho Mountain Brew
Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Trails, Inc.
High Mountain ATV Association, Inc.
Silver Valley American Veterans Post 2005
