Near Pope Valley in Napa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Historic Aetna Mining District
Photographed By Douglas Love, GT NSGW
1. Historic Aetna Mining District Marker
Even way out here some low IQ individual had to deface the plaque.
This intersection of the Phoenix Mining claim, patented November 15, 1861 and the Washington Mining claim, patented December 20, 1862 once was inhabited by a community of several hundred people and gave the appearance of a small town.The headquarters consisted of several bunk houses, horse stables, cookhouse, dining hall, blacksmith shop, the Washington Mine store and many other buildings. It served as a stagecoach stop on the 12 mile wagon trail from here to Calistoga.
The Phoenix Mine was the first quicksilver mine in Napa County and was accidentally discovered by a deer hunter, John Newman, who found traces of cinnabar after a fire in these hills. The mine was named after the legendary Phoenix bird which rose from the ashes. In its heyday the Phoenix Mining Company produced 60 flasks of quicksilver per week and employed 45 men, many of whom were Chinese laborers.
Erected 2010 by Native Sons of the Golden West. (Marker Number 2010-02.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Resources.
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Location. 38° 39.273′ N, 122° 30.175′ W. Marker is near Pope Valley, California, in Napa County. Marker is at the intersection of Aetna Springs Road and Aetna Mine Road, on the right when traveling west on Aetna Springs Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pope Valley CA 94567, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Litto’s Hubcap Ranch (approx. 3 miles away); Pope Valley Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 4.2 miles away); Pope Valley Store (approx. 4.9 miles away); Pope Valley Garage (approx. 4.9 miles away); The Henry Haus Blacksmith and Wagonmaker Shop (approx. 4.9 miles away); Robert Louis Stevenson Cabin Site (approx. 5˝ miles away); Oat Hill Mine Road (approx. 6.1 miles away); Calistoga Depot (approx. 6.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pope Valley.
Photographed By Douglas Love, GT NSGW
2. Historic Aetna Mining District Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 220 times since then and 82 times this year. Last updated on June 19, 2022, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
