Quote from Angela on February 24, 2020, 6:07 pm

Nestled under the tree-lined mountains of Coeur d' Alene lies the abandoned ghost town of Burke. Tall derelict buildings and rusted warehouses echoing bygone years. Eerily desolate yet strikingly beautiful, with just a handful of people living here.

Why then did people leave such a picturesque location?

It may have had something to do with the lack of space. The town itself only measures 300ft wide. And the central railroad is so narrow that passing cars are forced to pull over in order to allow the trains to pass!

This town has certainly been witness to many traumas, from feuding miners, to devastating avalanches, fires and death.

With its first mines being discovered in 1884, and with companies such as the Northern Pacific and Oregon Railroad purchasing the ore, this was once a thriving and prosperous town! The mine produced and sold ore ferociously, hence was nicknamed the 'TIGER MINE'.

However, debates between miners and metal workers would sometimes escalate as far as violence and sadly even murder.

In July 1892, gunshots were heard. Fight had broken out between the Union workers and replacement men. The gunfire ignited a large box of dynamite causing six men to die. This would be first of many deaths. 

Idahos then Governor Frank Steunenberg sent hundreds of guardsmen to the town in an attempt to remedy the violence and declared martial law.

Many believe the town to be haunted with the spirits of those men who died there, with alot of folk being too afraid to even visit the canyons. 

Burke awaits you.