Custer, ID Situated about 2 miles upstream from Bonanza, Custer grew with the development of the rich quartz mines. custer02 (Copyright © 2000 by Daniel Ter-Nedden) Buy pictures The Charles Dickens was the first big mine, and others nearby were the General Custer, the Lucky Boy, the Black Mine, and the Montana Mine. custer03 (Copyright © 2000 by Daniel Ter-Nedden) Buy pictures With the defeat of General Custer in 1876 still fresh in their minds, the miners named the town in his honor. custer04 (Copyright © 2000 by Daniel Ter-Nedden) Buy pictures The Custer mill started operating in 1881 and closed down in 1903, and at one time it had thirty stamps going. custer05 (Copyright © 2000 by Daniel Ter-Nedden) Buy pictures A tramway was built up the mountainside behind the mill to carry down the ore. Unfortunatly the mill has been burned down and only the foundations remain. custer06 (Copyright © 2000 by Daniel Ter-Nedden) Buy pictures Probably the main attraction at Custer is the McGown museum, housed in the old schoolhouse. custer07 (Copyright © 2000 by Daniel Ter-Nedden) Buy pictures With the passing of Tuff McGown, the U. S. Forest Service has taken over the museum. custer01 (Copyright © 2000 by Daniel Ter-Nedden) Buy pictures custer08 (Copyright © 2000 by Daniel Ter-Nedden) Buy pictures Ghost Town Map - Back to the Ghost Town index