In 1861, gold was discovered in the small creeks and gulches of Florence, Idaho (approximately 50 miles south of where Grangeville Idaho resides today). Miners soon began trickling into the area, and what started as a small tent city of 50 residents turned into a bustling city of 9,000 by the following year. Today, visitors can visit the famous Florence cemetery where many of the more unsavory and interesting residents of the old town were buried, as well as walk the site where the town originally stood. Interpretive panels at the site explain the history of the area and display a map of the surrounding area. There is a parking area and footbridge leading to the historic cemetery.
Click here to see to view the brochure The Lure of Gold and here for Florence Tells Her Secrets.
Directions
The most common route used to access Florence from the north end is the Grangeville-Salmon Road #221. Road #221 is paved to Boulder Creek (milepost 36.6), about 4 miles south of Rocky Bluff Campground. You continue along this route to milepost 40.4 and then turn left on Forest Road #394 which intersects with Forest Road #643. After traveling 1.4 miles from this intersection, you will reach the primitive road that services the Florence cemetery.
Access from the south leaves US Highway 95 near the south city limits of Riggins. The route crosses the Little Salmon River and follows the Salmon River Road #1614 for 9.7 miles. At milepost 9.7 you will turn north and travel on the Gran¬geville-Salmon Road #221. You will encounter a single lane road climbing steeply out of the canyon for 15.2 miles where you turn onto Forest Road #394 and travel east for 10.2 miles to the northern intersection with Forest Road #643.
GPS Coordinates
Latitude 45° 30′ 38.9160″ N
Longitude 116° 3′ 16.8840″ W