Sun Valley History & Museums: Ketchum Idaho: Ore Wagon Museum

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Ore Wagon Museum

The original 1880's ore wagons used in the Wood River Valley are stored in the Ore Wagon Museum located in Ketchum, Idaho. Read More

  • The Ore Wagon Museum is located at 200 10th Street, Ketchum, Idaho.
  • The Ore Wagon Museum is open year round.
  • The original 1880's ore wagons are driven with a team of eighteen horses in the Wagon Days Parade each year.

Overview

Depending on your age, you may be familiar with the 20-mule team made famous by Borax television ads of days gone by – but are you familiar with an 18-horse hitch? Each year, the original 1880's ore wagons previously used to transport gold and silver ore are taken out of the Ore Wagon Museum in Ketchum, Idaho and driven with a team of eighteen horses in the Wagon Days Parade.

These ore wagons are the only ones of their kind in existence. These massive wagons were larger than an average freight wagon and built to withstand the extreme stresses when loaded with ore to travel the road over Trail Creek Summit. Seven wagons make up the Ore Wagon Museum Collection.

Location/Directions

The Ore Wagon Museum can be found at 200 10th Street, Ketchum, Idaho.

Hours/Fees

The Ore Wagon Museum is open year round. There is currently no fee or cost to view the Ore Wagons.

More Info

Maintenance on the ore wagons is a continuing task, in an effort to keep these hundred plus year old transportation vehicles in shape to be driven once a year during the Wagon Days Parade. To see the Ore Wagons in action, travel to Ketchum to see the Wagon Days Parade, generally held on Labor Day each year.

Call the Parks and Recreation office for more info at 208-726-7820.