Interested in reading about long-lost forgotten ghost towns, million-dollar mines, boomtown mining camps and historical sites in Northeastern Washington State? Find out more about these histories and mysteries in this new book, Boom Towns & Relic Hunters of Northeastern Washington State, your complete guide to ghost towns and historical sites in Northeastern Washington State by noted local author, historian and famed ghost town and treasure hunter Jerry Smith. Jerry’s book is a comprehensive and detailed history of ghost towns, mining camps and picturesque locations in six historic counties, which include: Okanogan, Chelan, Ferry, Kittitas, Pend-Oreille, and Stevens. All provide over one hundred ghost town locations and driving directions.

The book’s author transports one back in time to the boomtown days of yesteryear, bringing back to life the ageless Old West mining-era days of prosperous boomtowns, miners, prospectors, pioneers and million-dollar gold and silver mines. Here’s a literary work chalked full of rich concentrates of history. Jerry has prospected and sluiced out the hardships and tragedies of those early pioneering and prospecting days, literally filling one’s reading cache with hours of high-grade pleasure and fascinating relics from his well-researched and personal treasure trove.

Don’t miss out! This first print edition is filled with over 156 pages and several one-of-a-kind maps, as well as ninety-eight of Jerry’s rare and historic award-winning photographs complete with exact locations of long-lost and once-famous ghost towns and mines in Northeastern Washington State. In one reader’s words, “This is a must for ghost town and gold prospecting buffs.” In addition, the book, loaded with information and directions, makes a great self-guided ghost town tour book to carry in one’s automobile. For those planning a trip to Northeastern Washington State, the guide will provide “advanced” information for a greater appreciation of the historic sites and relics one can experience upon arrival.

The book also serves as a wonderful educational tool for students and teachers prospecting the history of this unique part of Washington State.

The chapter, Information on Metal Detecting and Relic Hunting, is an added bonus. The chapter includes several pages on how to search out and locate long-lost, valuable treasures from the past. In the literal sense of the word, arming one’s self with a little knowledge about using a metal detector; one’s research can actually lead to pay-dirt. So, as a reader, if you’re not looking to strike it rich, but would like to visit those colorful Old West days and relive some of Northeastern Washington State’s history, excitement is awaiting you in Jerry’s new book.

To order Jerry’s book from Amazon.com, please click on the book below.

Book Price:
$19.95

Or Order direct from Boom Towns & Relic Hunters & save. The total amount for (1) book including shipping, handling and sales tax is $24.63. Please include the address where you would like your book shipped. To place your order, please make personal check, cashier check, or money order payable to:

Boom Towns & Relic Hunters
P.O. Box 914
Black Diamond, WA. 98010

Educational Institutions, retail bookstores, libraries, or retailers that are interested in carrying Boom Towns & Relic Hunters of Northeastern Washington, please contact his distributor at:

Partners West Book Distributing Inc.
1901 Raymond Ave SW, Suite C
Renton, WA 98055
425-227-8486 or 1-800-563-2385
Fax: 425-204-1448

For a limited time one can order a personal copy of Jerry’s book and receive a Boom Towns & Relic Hunter’s Premier Guided Ghost Town Tour brochure. An additional collectible includes a replica mining stock certificate. This replica accompanies the book order and will make a fine keepsake for future boomtown and relic hunting conversations.

Don’t delay your ordering decision. The website is experiencing a gold rush-type request for adventure information, which this one-of-a-kind publication supplies. Jerry wants to be certain that your order is quickly filled and received. In addition he hopes that, “You enjoy the read!”

Adventurists preferring to purchase Jerry’s book from a retail bookstore are asked to contact a favorite neighborhood bookstore, or click on this link to purchase his book from Barnes and Noble.

Interested in reading more about author, historian, treasure hunter, and tour guide Jerry Smith?

Book Reviews from a Few of Our Satisfied Readers

“I found a link to the book Boom Towns and Relic Hunters of Northeastern Washington State. The more I read about the book and its author, the more intrigued I became. Thus, I purchased the book from Amazon.com. I found out that he personally owned several gold mines, and therefore, I knew that his book would be a wealth of information about the diggings and mines and camps.

Author Jerry Smith's knowledge about Eastern Washington is impressive. A long-time member of the Okanogan Historical Society, he has family roots that go back generations. As an acknowledged expert, he has lent his expertise to various television documentaries. Mr. Smith also conducts paid expeditions through the area as the weather permits.

In particular, his book describes in detail the old boomtowns of Kittitas, Chelan, Okanogan Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties. There is plenty to pique the interest of any history buff, such as the discussion of Ruby City, Washington: I think you can tell from the snips provided here, that it's a great book making a nice companion in helping to plan a trip to the area. He also lists some enticing Indian legends and briefly mentions some of the fighting that took place as the gold miners and the Indians clashed. Small quibbles: if there is ever a new edition, two items to look into are road maps and GPS coordinates, but those are "nice-to-haves".”

Garret Romaine,
Senior Writer, Gold Prospectors Association of America Magazine- July/August, 2004: 30th Anniversary Edition.

“Mr. Smith's book provides a good starting point for persons interested in exploration and relic hunting in our state's northern tier of ghost towns. The descriptions are very helpful for locating these sites, many of which are overgrown and on the verge of disappearing altogether. The before-and-after photos are particularly helpful. The sections devoted to the early history of Ruby City, Loup Loup, and Nighthawk contain interesting quotes from historic newspaper articles boosting the region's development. The chapter on metal-collecting ethics and equipment provides a nice tie-in for hobbyists using the book as a source for places to explore.

The author includes some in-text warnings concerning entering abandoned mines, however if the book is issued in subsequent revisions, I suggest including highlighted verbiage. My advice is to stay out of abandoned mines altogether unless accompanied by a guide familiar with the mine and its structural condition.”

Fritz E. Wolff,
Long-time economic geologist, formerly with the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Washington State Division of Geology and Earth Resources, October 2002.

“Written by experienced ghost town explorer, historian, tour guide and adventurer Jerry Smith, this book helps readers, gold prospectors and history buffs explore and discover where to go.... in six historic mining and ghost town counties throughout Northeastern Washington State.... for the best abandoned ghost town sites, mining camps, and lost million-dollar abandoned mines. In addition, the last chapter in his book covers how to search out, locate, and then recover those lost relics from ghost towns gone-by.”

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Review, June 17, 2004.

“The time was well spent and resulted in a top-notch product. In his book, Jerry takes you back in time to the boomtown days of yesteryear and brings to life the ageless Old West mining-era days of boomtowns, miners, prospectors, and pioneers. Yet, the book goes far-beyond providing simply a historical account and includes rare historic maps, 98 outstanding photos and exact locations of long-lost famous ghost towns and mines in Northeastern Washington State. Jerry also includes a chapter on Metal Detecting and Relic Hunting, which offers advice on how to search out and locate those long-lost, valuable treasures from the past with just a little knowledge about how to do research and how to use a metal detector. Certainly, his book will keep the spirit of the Old West alive and well for many years to come.”

Connie Kellher,
Communications-IAM District 751, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO in Aero Mechanic, February, 2004 Edition.

“Boom Towns & Relic Hunters of Northeastern Washington by Washington State ghost town and historic site expert, Jerry Smith, showcases more than one hundred ghost town locations accessible to the traveler or tourist with a keen interest in relics of American history. Enhanced with a wealth of true stories, folklore tales, black-and-white photographs, and more, Boom Towns & Relic Hunters Of Northeastern Washington State is a truly fascinating book to leaf through, offering both on-the-road and armchair travelers a window to the rougher, fiercer Washington State of over a century ago.”

James A. Cox,
Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review -“Reviewers Choice”- May, 2002.

Finding Gold in Washington State is a book functioning as an informational guide for hobbyists and serious recreational gold prospectors in Washington State. It answers reader questions of WHO/ WHAT/ WHERE/ WHEN/ WHY & HOW to find, recover, refine and profit from gold while recreational prospecting. Also included are some of the best gold prospecting suppliers and clubs one can join as well as state rules and contact addresses and phone numbers for state resource guides and rules. The author also includes “hot areas” he has successfully prospected. Made in the U.S.A. All rights reserved

One person wrote a review as follows:
“This book will help and guide you, the reader by giving you an excuse to go into the outdoors to prospect for gold. The first time you look into the bottom of a pan and see glitter will be a moment you'll remember the rest of your life just like I did. This is a treasure of a book to have to start gold prospecting.”

Sean T. Taeschner, M. ED. is a native of the Pacific Northwest and has lived in Washington State since 1964. His weekends are spent teaching others how to prospect for gold on the Green River near his home in historic Black Diamond of turn-of-the-century coal mining fame. A graduate of Western Washington University in German language, literature and culture and a self-employed remodeling contractor, Sean has also authored a book, Finding Gold In Washington State. Contact the author at STeshner@Juno.com

To purchase Sean’s book, Finding Gold In Washington State, click on the book below.