Custer City (ghost town) in Custer County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Arrastra
Simple but effective...
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 25, 2017
1. Arrastra Marker
Inscription.
Arrastra. Simple but effective.... Crushing ore played a major role in the gold refining process. Different types of crushing methods were employed and changed with the times. Arrastras used a circular floor of tightly laid blocks of stone as a grinding surface. Ore was spread thinly across this surface and then finely ground by a heavy "drag" stone, usually animal powered. Gold could then be recovered from the ground ore by adding mercury and creating an amalgam mixture. Heat was used to separate the mercury from the gold in the retorting process.
Crushing ore played a major role in the gold refining process. Different types of crushing methods were employed and changed with the times. Arrastras used a circular floor of tightly laid blocks of stone as a grinding surface. Ore was spread thinly across this surface and then finely ground by a heavy "drag" stone, usually animal powered. Gold could then be recovered from the ground ore by adding mercury and creating an amalgam mixture. Heat was used to separate the mercury from the gold in the retorting process.
Location. 44° 23.271′ N, 114° 41.718′ W. Marker is in Custer City (ghost town), Idaho, in Custer County. Marker is on Custer Motorway Adventure Road - Yankee Fork Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stanley ID 83278, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Blacksmith (here, next to this marker); Stamp Mill (a few steps from this marker); General Custer Mill (a few steps from this marker); Pfeiffer Residence (a few steps from this marker); Assay Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Stone House
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 196 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 9, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
