Back in the 60's someone platted out a little subdivision in the woods abo
ve the north eastern end of Lake Coeur d'Alene and named it Bonanza Ranch. Yes, that Bonanza Ranch. Roads have names like Hoss, Little Joe and Cartwright, so it must have been someone who enjoyed the old western TV series back in the day. This is the area of the lake that is famous as a regional destination for watching the bald eagles who come every fall to feast on spawning Kokanee salmon. I don't know much of the history, except that at some point early on the county declared that no more septic permist would be issued because the ground didn't perk. There are a few homes that are grandfathered in, and then there are dozens, maybe hundreds, of platted lots about .20 acres that can't be built upon.
In recent years big shops have sprung up on some of these lots. Yes, men in north Idaho love their Man Caves. There are some lots with greenhouses, and there are storage sheds. There are some with just "stuff" on them. Oh, all rght, let's just say it like it is. Junk. Although Bonanza Ranch is situated in a beautiful wooded area with easy lake access, the presence of such random fixtures on the lots in the neighborhood makes it less than desirable for the mainstream. You could say that Bonanza Ranch is the poster child for a neighborhood that does not have a HOA, or anything like unto it. However, for a substantial segment of the north Idaho population, this lack of any controls makes Bonanza Ranch pure paradise. North Idahoans certainly do love their property rights. Dont tread on me. 
Many if not most of these lots have been held onto for generations, awaiting the time when they would increase in value. Without the ability to install septic, that increased value has never materialized. At any given time there are a few of them for sale, and quite often they are being sold by the estate of someone who was hanging on to the land for decades. Vacant lots greatly outnumber those with any building or structure on them.
The lea
st expensive MLS listing in the entire county is one I currently have listed for sale in Bonanza Ranch on Last Chance Road for $4,500. For $4,500 you can have a very pretty 1/5 of an acre in the woods with electricity already to the property. How cool is that! The other two lots are combined into one parcel of just under 1/2 acre on Wagon Wheel Road for $12,500. There is no doubt about it that this is pretty darn cheap dirt. I'm sure these lots will sell to some very grateful people who have a desire for a little piece of land for who knows what purpose. They always do.
No need to call me to ask if the seller will finance them for you, he won't. It's cash on the barrel head for the first buyer to sashay on up to my office. Yeehaw!
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