Ione came into existence in November 1863 after silver was discovered by P. A. Havens in the Shoshone Range.

Within three years, development at Belmont had created enough excitement to lure away a great percentage of Ione's population, and in February 1867, the county seat was removed to that location.

The town would see one more resurgence, about 1912, when attention was drawn to abundant cinnabar deposits in the area.

This last boom was again short lived, ending in 1914, although the recovery of mercury would persist in the district into the 1930s.

[2] In the 1970s, Hugh Marshall purchased most of the town and 24 square miles (62 km2) surrounding it.