Almaden in San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
El Senator Mine
(El Senador Mine)
Erected 1977 by Mountain Charlie Chapter No.1850, E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 26, 1926.
Location. 37° 12.657′ N, 121° 53.396′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Almaden. Marker can be reached from McAbee Road, 0.4 miles east of Quicksilver Park Trailhead to Senator Mine trail. Turn south off of Camden Road onto McAbee Road, take McAbee Road until it dead ends at the Quicksilver Park trail-head. From the McAbee Road entrance, take the Senator Mine Trail (walking trail) into Quicksilver Park for a little less than half a mile to get to the concrete towers and plaque. There are trail markers that will point you to the correct trail. 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. El Senador Mine (within shouting distance of this marker); Almadén Vineyards (approx. 2 miles away); Goodrich Quarry (approx. 2.3 miles away); De Anza Expedition 1775 - 1776 (approx. 2.3 miles away); Wood Road & Jacques Ridge (approx. 2.9 miles away); Santa Isabel Shaft (approx. 3 miles away); The Buena Vista (approx. 3 miles away); Mining Operations (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.
More about this marker. There are 2 concrete towers still standing that were once dust bins from the furnace used in the processing the cinnabar into mercury. They are all that is left of a reduction plant that ran from 1863 to 1926. There are a few plants growing near the towers, but most are dead, the high level of mercury in the ground around the towers is still very toxic.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 1,272 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 8, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 2. submitted on March 29, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 8, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.