Chesterfield, ghost town and historic district in Caribou County, Idaho, United States
Chesterfield is an abandoned settlement in Caribou County, Idaho, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and preserving the remains of a 19th-century mining community. Streets are lined with old homes, shops, and other structures, many still showing their original appearance, with the Robertson Cabin among the recently restored buildings now open to the public.
The settlement began during the 19th-century mining boom and served as a functioning community with homes, shops, and active daily life. When mining activity declined, residents moved away, leaving behind the structures that remain today as records of frontier life.
Chesterfield carries a name rooted in English settlement patterns, reflecting how colonists shaped communities across Idaho. The quiet streets lined with abandoned homes tell the story of a place built around mining hopes, where visitors today can see how daily life unfolded in a remote frontier town.
The site is open to visitors from Memorial Day through Labor Day with free tours available Monday through Saturday, with the last tour starting at 4:30 pm. Located in a rural mountain setting, visitors should plan adequate time for exploration and come prepared for variable weather conditions.
The Robertson Cabin has been recently restored and allows visitors to step inside an original dwelling from the settlement era. This makes it one of the few abandoned mining sites where you can glimpse the actual living conditions settlers faced.
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