The Merc started with a two-room brick building in 1865. In the following five years they added on and added on again. It was a hectic time during the early part of the Gold Rush and buildings were put up in a hurry to handle the needs of miners. By 1870 the general store had moved over to the new portion of the building and invited the First National Bank of Idaho to occupy the NE corner. For fifty years gold was assayed, and money taken and given. When the bank left, the Post Office took over for about fifty years. Then a remodel and the Merc moved their kitchen to that corner area. Somewhere along the timeline they added a lean-to on the South of the building and it housed the gas station. Not sure when it was built, but the early pics with fuel pumps look like the early years of electricity and gas stations.

 

The number one question we answer most every day à Why would a family buy a 167-year-old building that needs much repair and care? Easy, it is here and it needs to be a part of the community instead of just sitting there with the doors closed. We thought it would be a great project and wanted to tell the story of the mining that is so central to our town. So, a little over a year ago we purchased the Merc and have been working and giving ‘tours’ most days that we are there. Part nonprofit museum, part thrift store, and part giftshop is where we are at present. And, part not repaired or ready for use yet as well.

There is much to do in order to utilize the whole building and let folks see it. Some of the repairs (roof, north foundation) will require more than we have to complete the repairs. So, we search for grants and rich uncles to help us with the work. Our family owns the Merc; but a nonprofit (SonShine Enterprise, inc) manages the entire place and is doing the non-profit museum concept as a part of their charter.

Come see us and learn some of the history of our town, shop in Mountain Life Thrift Store and tour the building