Shortly after the Corps of Discovery came through Clearwater Country, the fur trading industry came to Idaho.

Then in 1860, a group of gold seekers, led by Jane, the daughter of Chief Timothy, brought the men through the nearby mountains to what would become Pierce. One of the party led by Captain E.D. Pierce, Wilbur Barrett, was credited with the discovery of gold grains in Canal Gulch on Orofino Creek.

Within a few months, as many as 1600 claims had been filed on the creek. An estimated 6,000 men, among them many Chinese, came to the area seeking their fortunes. This migration caused North Central Idaho to be settled west to east and Pierce City was the first town to be established in the area. Years later as the gold became hard to come by, so were the residents. Most had moved on to new discoveries.

Trivia Archives

Sponsored by:

Traditional news Today's technology Your daily, online news source for Orofino & Clearwater County Beginning Dec. 1 we are starting a subscription program. Be a part of the Charter Membership by signing up now. If you would like to pay by check, subscription rates are $3 plus 15 cents tax for Idaho residents per month or $30 plus 6 % sales tax for Idaho residents per year. Include with the check your name, address and email and we will register your subscription for you. We will be accepting Visa and Mastercharge.We will be processing credit cards the last week of September. Watch for further details.