Sadly, the kids had too many conflicts to take part in this years kids camp at Starlight but we still planned our weekend to share in traditions new and old. First up, Silver Creek Plunge.
It was everything I wanted it to be and more!
The History of Silver Creek from their website.
Believe it or not, Silver Creek Plunge actually began as a silver mine in the late 1890’s (by best guess). M.F. Eby (picture at right) who was a pioneer resident of Boise with interest in horticulture and mining, staked claims for Silver Creek Mine and Deadwood Silver Mine. We don’t have any record of the Silver Creek Mine producing silver but he did strike hot water! (Fun fact, the “hot pool” in the plunge today is the old entrance to the mine!)
In the 1920’s M.F. Eby sold the claim to E.H. Heller. (Below Left: Picture of E.H. Heller soaking in hot pool at mine entrance, July 22, 1926; photo taken by his son Leland) Silver Creek passed to E.H. Heller’s son, Leland “Lee” Heller, who sold it to Mert Lyons in 1956. It was Mert and his friend Floyd Suttle who built the Silver Creek Plunge that we know today and that opened in 1957. (Fun facts: the center section of the cabin above the pool is the cabin Mert built; Cabin #7 located by our solar field is the cabin Floyd built.)
Since 1957, Silver Creek Plunge has several owners. Who can forget the tall-tale, gun-toting Buford? Followed by the Area family and Stephens family? As of May 2022, Silver Creek Plunge is owned and operated by the Penn Family of Boise. The Penn’s have family roots that go back to the 1860’s in Idaho and Eastern Oregon (you can read more about our history in the Store at Silver Creek Plunge). We look forward to continuing the legacy of Silver Creek Plunge!
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