History

Powerhouse Mill (Smith–Hussey)

River mile ~11.3 — Adjacent to Powerhouse Rapids: GoRafting Upper Powerhouse ~11.26, Middle ~11.49, Lower ~11.72; NOT near Pistol Creek

Mapped at 44.6306, -115.2215.

The Powerhouse mill and Smith–Hussey cabin stood on river right beside Powerhouse Rapids at roughly miles 11.3–11.5—well upstream of Pistol Creek. Charles Smith and Gene Hussey worked the White Goat claim (documented by 1913) and ran a water-powered stamp mill whose wheel could be lowered into the river; ore came down by mule and cable car from across the Middle Fork, with processing continuing into mid-century. The wooden cabin and mill burned in the 2007 fires; metal mill remnants and the rapid name remain. Rivers.gov lists Powerhouse among outstanding historic examples in the corridor.