Banner was an important town on the road north from Idaho City. A rich silver lode was discovered in1864 by two prospectors from Boise Basin who quickly sold out to the Elmira Silver Mining Company. The company ran a steady operation for many years and the mine produced well over three million dollars in silver bullion. The old mill site is still identifiable along with a number of original cabins that housed the miners.

Submitted by Henry Chenoweth.