Almaden in San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Skip Loader

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 15, 2012

1. Skip Loader Marker

[Illustration captions; top left, bottom left, right:]

The hoist pulls the loaded skip loader up the track.

The front wheels follow the inside track, and wider rear wheels follow the outside track.

The hoist continues to pull the skip loader into the dump position.

Inscription. The skip loader was used to carry cinnabar ore to the surface from deep in the mines. A motor-driven hoist pulled the skip loader up tracks until it reached the surface, where two sets of tracks, one inside pair and one outside pair, were reached. The skip loader had narrow wheels in the front, which rode on the inside pair of tracks, and wider wheels in the rear, which rode on the outside pair of tracks. As the hoist continued to pull the skip loader upward, the rear wheels became higher than the front wheels and the ore was dumped into an ore bin or transport vehicle. After dumping, the hoist operator then allowed the loader to return back down the track for another load of ore.

Erected by New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association/The California State Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list.

Location. 37° 10.398′ N, 121° 49.579′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Almaden. Marker can be reached from Almaden Road, on the right when traveling south. The Hacienda Mining Display is

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a short walk on the Deep Gulch Trail from the Almaden Quicksilver County Park parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Jose CA 95120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gould Rotary Furnace and Condensing System (here, next to this marker); Mine Air Compressors (here, next to this marker); D Retort and Condensing System (a few steps from this marker); Mine Ventilation Fans (a few steps from this marker); Shaker-Concentrator (a few steps from this marker); Mancha “Little Trammer” Battery Locomotive (a few steps from this marker); Mercury Storage Vault (a few steps from this marker); Hoeing Table and Cleaning Tank (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

More about this marker. The Hacienda Mining Display is still under development.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 15, 2012

2. Skip Loader Marker

The marker is in front of this display.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 597 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 19, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.