Wallace Chamber History 1

Historic Wallace
Chamber of Commerce
History of the Region

UPDATED
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 03:47 PM

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A Historic Forest Fire and A Newly Opened Trail

On August 20, 1910, a great and historic forest fire swept across northern Idaho and western Montana. It cost 87 lives, blacked 3 million acres, and destroyed one-third of the city of Wallace. The event also would change the course of national policy toward wildfire, by thereafter refocusing the then fledging U.S. Forest service on fire prevention and fire fighting as the top most agency priorities.

Many stories emerged from the "Big Blowup." Perhaps the best known was Ranger "Big Ed" Pulaski managed to save all but six of his 45 men. History also remembers Pulaski as the inventor of the fire-fighting tool that bears his name, a combination ax and hoe that has become the most widely used implement in wild land firefighting.

In the nearly 100 years since the fire, the mine where Pulaski's crew in a mine tunnel on the West Fork of Placer Creek. Holding his men there at gunpoint over night, Pulaski managed to save all but six of his 45 men. History also remembers Pulaski as the inventor of the fire-fighting tool that bears his name, a combination ax and hoe that has become the most widely used implement in the wildland firefighting.

In the nearly 100 years since the fire, the mine where Pulaski's crew spent a harrowing night and the trail they used for their escape to Wallace became overgrown and almost impossible to locate, saved for the most experienced hikers. Then, in 2002, a local group partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to "save" the trail and mine site and accord both their proper place in the history of our region...En route, hikers are invited to examine the dozen large format and illustrated signs that recount the history and consequences of the Great 1910 fires.

The trailhead lies about a mile south of Wallace on Moon Pass Road (the continuation of Wallace's King street or USFS Road 438). From the trailhead, a moderately challenging trail along the creek takes hikers 2 miles up the canyon to the "Pulaski Tunnel" (which was known before the fires as the Nicholson mine). Waterfalls, cascades, cedar groves, wild flowers ancient snags and historic locations grace the trail.

For those not wishing to hike the total 2 miles to the Pulaski Tunnel, trailhead displays provide a fascinating outing without the rigors of the hike. Displays at the sierra Silver Mine Tour in downtown Wallace offer more information about this most recent Silver Valley attraction.

For this an more great history, visit our Visitor's Center!