Pioneerville History
Pioneerville, also known as Fort Hogem and Pioneer City, was one of the four prominent mining camps that emerged during the Boise Basin gold rush of 1862.
By September of 1863, Pioneerville had a population of almost 3,000 people, making it the third largest camp in the Boise Basin behind Idaho City and Placerville, and the third largest city in the area that is now Idaho.
As basin placers ran out in the late 1860's, a smelter was built in Pioneerville in an attempt to profit from local silver ores. Not much is on record about the performance of the smelter and it is likely the venture was not successful.
Hydraulic elevators were built around Pioneerville in the 1880's which were successful in keeping the gold industry, and the town of Pioneerville, alive for a while longer.
Ultimately Pioneerville would become a ghost town. Today a few wooden structures remain at the town site.
More info on the history of the Boise Basin gold rush can be read on the Idaho City and Placerville town pages.
Idaho Gold
"Where to Find Gold in Idaho" looks at the density of modern placer mining claims along with historical gold mining locations and mining district descriptions to determine areas of high gold discovery potential in Idaho. Read more: Where to Find Gold in Idaho.
