Black Bear
Black Bear
A Town of Multiple Disasters
Black Bear was one of the towns in Burke Canyon. Settled in 1884, now there are only a hand full of people still inside the town. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s all of the towns in the canyon were subject to fires, floods, and avalanches; Black Bear was no Exception. There is not a lot of information on this town but newspapers have described the several disasters that struck.
“April 26, 1908 — Fire this morning caused a loss of $75,000 at Black Bear, a small mining town in northern Idaho. The fire started in a saloon and nearly all the business houses and many of the residences were burned. Two of the best houses in the town were blown up with dynamite to stop the flames.”
“August 7, 1904 — Black Bear, Idaho Wiped Out by Flames. Blaze Starts in Hotel, Loss Complete
Scores of people were rendered homeless and nearly $100,000 worth of property was destroyed by fire that swept Black Bear, a small town between Wallace and Burke, Idaho, last night.
The Town of Black Bear
Black Bear Destroyed by Flames
With the exception of a dozen small cottages in each end of the town there is not a building left standing.
The fire was started by a defective flue in the Black Bear hotel, and in an incredibly short time the whole town was ablaze. The fire was only stayed after dynamite was used to destroy several houses in its path. The electric power line, which transmits power from Spokane Falls to several mines for running the mills, is burned out, and those mines are left idle.
With the exception of $2500 insurance carried by the storekeepers the loss is entire.”