Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Northwest's newest state park shows off a century-old mining ghost town. The Idaho State Park is now open to the public after a ribbon cutting ceremony this weekend. Correspondent Tom Banse went to Custer County for a look around.

Bayhorse ghost town near Challis, Idaho.

The little town of Bayhorse, Idaho boomed in the 1880's and 90's off the rich silver and copper mines in the surrounding mountains.

The ore mill, smelter, a hotel, store, boarding houses, and log cabins are still recognizable amidst ruins.

Boise architect Ernie Lombard makes a hobby of photographing disappearing ghost towns. He's been pushing for 20 years to save this place as a state park.

Ernie Lombard: “We don't have a Roman Coliseum here in Idaho. We don't have the Acropolis up on a hill somewhere, like in Greece. These early mining camps and mining towns are really our Coliseum and our Acropolis, if you will.”

The state of Idaho and the federal government spent nearly $1.5 million to clean up mine contamination and make the historic area safe to explore.

The new Bayhorse park and trail network is about four hours by car northeast of Boise.