Almaden in San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Hard Rock Miners

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 28, 2011

1. Hard Rock Miners Marker

Inscription. Drilling contests were the miners’ own distinctive event. The contest pitted individuals or teams of two miners against one another. They centered on hand-drilling, an essential aspect of the hard-rock miners’ work. Drilling contests tested the participants’ skill at this particular task; the men bored into a boulder, usually Colorado or Vermont granite. This piece of granite was used for one of these contests and came from the Delores Taranga Tunnel Site in the park. The competition required courage, skill, strength and endurance.

Erected 2007 by Historical Heritage Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation of Santa Clara Co., New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Assoc. and the New Almaden Community Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports.

Location. 37° 10.451′ N, 121° 49.467′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Almaden. It is at the intersection of Almaden Road and Bertram Way, on the left when traveling west on Almaden Road. Marker is located across from the entrance to the Hacienda Trailhead in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Jose CA 95120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Silicon Valley,

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker: Patrick Tillman (here, next to this marker); Site of First Mining in California (here, next to this marker); Site of First Mining Operation in California (a few steps from this marker); Site of Reduction Works (a few steps from this marker); The Bell Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Vichy Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); Hacienda Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Hacienda Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 29, 2011

2. Hard Rock Miners Marker

Mounted on the front of this granite block is the Patrick Tillman Memorial Plaque.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 811 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.