Wallace, Idaho: The “Center of the Universe" | Shoshone County

Wallace is a quaint yet historically rich town in the mountains of the Idaho Panhandle, in Shoshone County. Known for its rugged mining past, Wallace embodies the spirit of a Western town that has managed to preserve its unique character through the years. Today, Wallace stands as a living museum of American mining history, complete with charming old buildings, quirky local businesses, and stories that echo from its past.

Wallace is located directly along Interstate 90, making it an accessible stop for travelers moving between Montana and Washington. Driving through, you will immediately notice the town’s layout: a main street lined with well-preserved historic buildings, surrounded by steep, forested mountains that remind visitors of Wallace’s past as a hub for mining and timber industries. Bank Street and Fifth Street form the heart of the town, where you can find a mix of antique shops, local breweries, and old-school diners that transport you back to a different era.

The town’s story is deeply intertwined with the mining boom that began in the late 19th century. Wallace was officially founded in 1884, when Colonel William Wallace, for whom the town is named, purchased the land and began promoting the area as a center for silver mining. By the 1880s, prospectors had discovered rich deposits of silver, gold, and lead in the region, triggering a rush that transformed Wallace into a bustling mining town. During its peak, Wallace was home to thousands of miners, prospectors, and entrepreneurs hoping to strike it rich.

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