One of the last remaining log buildings still stands today where once the mining boom town of Old Toroda once stood, with a population of 470 souls.

          Toroda was once a flourishing little mining camp, located 4 miles northeast of Waconda. Shortly after the opening of the Colville Indian Reservation for mineral entry, people flocked into what was supposed to be an exceedingly rich mining district.

          Toroda became a town when gold and silver ore were discovered at Sheridan in 1897. Sheridan was high in the mountains where there were no roads, so the miners built their town along Toroda Creek. Toroda reached its peak in 1898 with a population of 470 people.


          Old Toroda as it looked around 1910, abandoned and left to the ghosts.


          Deserted main street of Old Toroda around 1939. The price of silver dropped and the miners abandoned the town.

          There was the Gailliac Hotel, general store, blacksmith shop, butcher shop, eating places, and a post office that was established May 25, 1898. These were all substantial log buildings that lined one street on both sides.

          The mines did not prove to be rich as anticipated and the boom town was deserted. Toroda City soon became known as Old Toroda. A new town called Toroda was begun at the mouth of Toroda Creek on the Kettle River.

          The name Toroda means "Dorothy" in a local Indian dialect. Both places were named after John Lute’s wife.