Life in the Canyon
Life in Burke
Burke
Life in Burke was simple, as was life in any other western town at the time. Most of the Men were employed at the local mines, if not they had jobs that was related to the mines. Only women that worked for the mines were in the office. Until the 1970’s, they went underground.
Most of the local businesses were successful due to the long trip out of the valley, with the owners inquiring riches through different ventures than mining.
Mace
Life in Mace was a bit different than Burke, one of the most notable differences being the lack of their own mine. The workers living in Mace were either employed at the mines in Burke or travelled to Frisco for employment.
Was named after Amasa “Mace” Campbell one of the owners of the Standard and Mammoth mines located on the hill sides as you entire Mace from Wallace. It its day the the mines were second only to the Bunker Hill in size. The community had its own grade/high school. Several large snow sides destroyed the town the last one in 1956 which completely destroyed what was left of Mace.
The Main Road Of Burke
The Frisco Mine and Mill
The Star Mine
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Black Bear
Black Bear was filled with struggles in life, with avalanches and fires happening a little too often. The people would spend their time mimicking the life of Mace, with long hours in the mines and very little recreation.
The men working in the mines for low wages and barely enough to feed their families. On some hot days they would travel up to the swimming pool in Burke, as the Creek was toxic to most life.
Gem
Gem was different than all the other towns, with the exception of the mining and church on Sundays. Second in size to Burke in population and business life in Gem was filled with certain luxuries that the other towns lacked. There were general store that families could shop, salons pool halls a large union hall that sponsored Saturday night dances and the single men would find themselves visiting the brothels in Burke, Gem or Wallace. On their off time the miners would enjoy a night full of drunken pleasure and gambling. The businesses were booming. As every other town in the valley however, it was consumed by fire and most of these amenities were destroyed.
The men endure long work hours at the mines and mills, big surprise, while the women, if employed, worked at the local stores hospital or school, more than likely doing some sort of paper work. The children in Gem didn’t have to walk large distances to attend the local school Gem supported its own grade and high school. Gem was also the home of the Miner’s Union Hall, which served as the center planning base for the Coeur d’Alene Mining wars; resulting in Marshall law being passed on the district twice.
Frisco
Life in Frisco was in all reality the higher end of Burke, and life was quite boring. There wasn’t much to do on the day to day. There was very little business if any, other than the Frisco mine.