Challis was founded in 1876 as a supply center for the Salmon River area mines, including the Yankee Fork, Bayhorse, and Clayton mining districts. Supplies were brought to Challis by horse-drawn freight wagons from Corinne, Utah, which was on the Union Pacific Railroad. Each round trip from Challis to Corinne and back to Challis usually took about one month. After the railroad reached Blackfoot, each round trip took about two weeks. At first, supplies for the mines had to be packed by horses or mules from Challis. With the completion of the toll road in 1879, heavy loads of mining equipment and supplies necessary for large-scale development could be hauled to the mines by oxen or horse-drawn freight wagons. Toponce and Co. also initiated stagecoach service between the railhead and Challis and between Challis and the Yankee Fork mines on a bi-weekly basis. The 35-mile trip between Challis and Bonanza took about nine hours and cost $8.
Cartwright Gulch
At this point, the Challis-Bonanza Toll Road turned north up Cartwright Gulch and continued west to Mill Creek, up to Pine Summit and then back to Mill Creek at Greenwood Station. This is the only major stretch of the toll road not followed by the Custer Motorway.
Corkscrew Grade & Slab Barn
On the hill in back of the small ranch visible from this point is Corkscrew Grade. Here extra teams of horses or oxen were hitched to heavy freight wagons for the hard pull up the steep hill. On top of the hill near a small natural lake was Slab Barn, where stagecoach drivers changed to fresh horses. Thus, the small lake is now called Slab Barn Lake.
Greenwood Station
A log foundation is all that remains of Greenwood Station which was owned and operated by Fannie Clark. Greenwood Station was also referred to as “Fannie’s Lower Hole.” Ms. Clark offered the traveler "comfortable accommodations and a choice bill of fare.”
Tollgate Station
The log ruins at this site are the remains of Tollgate Station. It was erected by Toponce & Co. in 1879 as the point where tolls were collected for using the road. This station was operated by Chas. & Harriet Keene from 1880 to 1889. The Keenes also provided accommodations for employees of Toponce & Co. and offered meals to all travelers. After the station was abandoned by the company in 1889, Fannie Clark relocated her business here, referred to as “Fannie’s Upper Hole.”
Homestead Station
This lone cabin is all that remains of Homestead Station. The station was owned and operated by James Dwyer. The cabin was later used as a cowboy line camp.
"The public may be confident of a square meal when they patronize this station…everything kept neat and clean." – Yankee Fork Herald
Twelve-Mile Station
Daniel McKay purchased the station in 1880, and improved it by building a large two-story hotel and other buildings.
"This is one of the most desirable locations on the road and will be an excellent stopping place for both man and beast." - Yankee Fork Herald
Eleven-Mile Barn
Here stagecoach drivers could change to fresh horses, and passengers could refresh themselves for the run north to Tollgate Station or south to Custer and Bonanza.
Custer Cemetery
Usually most burials were in the Bonanza Cemetery, but when the road to Bonanza was closed because of deep snow or avalanches, burials were made here. There are seven known graves in this cemetery.
