Virginia City in Storey County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Combination Shaft
Chollar Potosi, Hale & Norcross and the Savage Mines
Comstock Historical Marker No.4
Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 25, 2009
1. Combination Shaft Marker
The Combination Shaft began in 1875 when the owners of the Chollar-Potosi, Hale & Corcross and the Savage mines combined their efforts to sink a shaft to explore the Comstock Lode at a greater depth. The Combination was the deepest shaft ever sunk on the Comstock, reaching a depth of 3,250 feet. Low grade ore was found at this level, but proved to be of little value. The Combination was plagued by flooding in the mid-1880s and the two Cornish pumps lifting over 5 million gallons of water a day could not handle the incoming water. Another problem was the stifling heat of 130 degrees due to geothermal forces that often doubled over miners with stomach cramps. The Combination became cost prohibitive and in October, 1886 the pumps were shut down. Within 36 hours water rose to the 2,400 foot level, filling the lower workings of the Chollor-Potosi, Hale & Norcross and the Savage mines. Assessments on the Combination eventually reached $7 million with virtually no return to the owners. It proved to be one of the more costlier ventures in the history of the Comstock.
You can see the remains of the site on the hill side south east
this page online
Erected 2009 by Sponsored by Marshall Earth Resources, Hugh Roy Marshall, Virginia City, Nv. (Marker Number 4.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Resources. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1886.
Location. 39° 18.13′ N, 119° 39.139′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Nevada, in Storey County. Marker is on Nevada Route 341 near Nevada Route 342, on the right when traveling north. D Street is also a crossroad near the marker site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Virginia City NV 89440, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Fourth Ward School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chollar Mine (about 300 feet away); Chollar Potosi Mining Co. (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Fourth Ward School (about 400 feet away); Engineering Marvels on the Comstock (about 400 feet away); Mackay Mansion (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Mackay Mansion (about 500 feet away); Gould & Curry Offices (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.
Additional keywords. Comstock Lode
Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 25, 2009
2. Combination Shaft Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 25, 2009
3. Close-Up of Photo on Marker
Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 25, 2009
4. Location of the Combination Shaft
Photographed By Syd Whittle, August 25, 2009
5. Combination Shaft
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,539 times since then and 225 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 29, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on October 3, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
