Entry No. 70 — the Coeur d'Alene file — filed under: history

Commonwealth Mine

Discovered in 1892, the Commonwealth Mine was an underground copper, silver, and gold operation in the Hayden Lake Mining District. It featured a 300-foot-deep vertical shaft and multiple tunnels, and was historically served by the Ohio Match Company logging railway in the 1920s. Today, the site is completely abandoned and sits quietly within the Coeur d'Alene National Forest.

The move: Hike along the historic Ohio Match Road or nearby forest service trails to explore the scenic, heavily forested area of Hayden Creek, keeping an eye out for old railway grades and taking photos of the rugged mountain landscape.

📍 Before you go While the mine is located on public land within the Coeur d'Alene National Forest, the exact trail access, safety of the terrain, and presence of visible surface ruins are unverified.

• 📍 Commonwealth Mine
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Commonwealth Mine, Idaho 83835, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Wikipedia · anyplaceamerica.com

last checked: 2026-07-20