Desert Queen Mine

Desert Queen Mine. . , Like most gold mines in Hollywood movies, the Desert Queen Mine has a colorful history. Frank L. James discovered gold here in 1894. Ownership of the mine transferred from his hands to others by way of murder, robbery, bank foreclosure, sale, and payment for back wages. , Operating from 1895 to 1961, the Desert Queen Mine was one of the most productive mines in the area. The United States Bureau of Mines gives a total production of 3,845 ounces of gold. Jim and Bill McHaney, who took over the mine after one of their cowboys shot James, were rumored to have made over two million dollars from the Desert Queen. However, an estimate of one hundred thousand or less is probably more accurate. , The Desert Queen Mine consisted of numerous shafts and tunnels. This mining camp also contained housing and office facilities, a stamp mill, winches, and other structures associated with mining operations. Remains include two cyanide tanks, remnants of a cabin, parts of mining machinery, ore tailings, and mine shafts. The National Park Service covered the shafts for visitor safety. , In 1976, the National Park Service entered the Desert Queen Mine in the National Register of Historic Places. It is an excellent example of nineteenth century mining industry in southern California.