HAMBERG

NAME: Hamberg COUNTY: Wells ROADS: 2WD GRID: 3 CLIMATE: Snow, wind, cold in winter. Mild summer BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime except mid winter

COMMENTS: Population 28 in 2000 census. Much less now. Class D on its way to a C. Located at 47.762N 99.514W, 20 miles east of Harvey. Dirt streets, much of town is overgrown with weeds. Old masonary is well perserved while wood structures are deteriorating. Main street and center of town is abandoned but still show the signs of a once prosperous community. REMAINS: Bank, post office, school, church, all abandoned. Outdoor mailboxes still exisit for few remaining residents.

Eagle City was the first mining camp in the area. It sprung up in 1881 after Andrew Prichard discovered gold in a creek that flows into the north fork of the Coeur D'Alene River. Well-known gunfighter Wyatt Earp was one of the characters of this boisterous town. Wyatt and his brothers opened a tent saloon in Eagle City just three years after their famous shootout at the O.K. Corral. A more permanent town developed at a better location just up the creek from Eagle City. In fact the town of Murray became so popular and prosperous that in 1885 it became the Shoshone County seat. Though the towns population has dropped from the thousands to less than sixty it still celebrates its gold rush heritage. The annual "Molly B. Damn Days" recalls the life and times of a famous resident of the red light district. Submitted by: Jeffrey Fullerton

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