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Natural Resources Topic

 
Original Amador Mine image, Touch for more information
By Syd Whittle, July 29, 2008
Original Amador Mine
101 California, Amador County, Amador City — 14 — Original Amador Mine
On East School Street at Amador Creek Street, on the right when traveling south on East School Street.
Opened in 1852 from six claims. Renamed Original Amador Consolidated working till 1918. Reopened in 1935 till 1937. Shaft reached 1238’. Total production was $3,500,000.Map (db m10329) HM
102 California, Amador County, Amador City — 12 — South Spring Hill Mine
On String Bean Alley east of Old Route 49.
Founded in 1851 working continuously till 1893. Purchased by Keystone Company in 1920 and connected to it. Closed in 1942. Contained 3 shafts: South Spring Hill 1200’, Tallisman 600’, and Medean at 600’ deep. Produced $1,092,472 from . . . Map (db m44608) HM
103 California, Amador County, Amador City — 16 — Treasure Mine
On Bunker Hill Road south of Fremont Mine Road.
Owned by the Treasure Mining Company of San Francisco. Founded prior to 1867. Sometimes called the Hazard Mine. Shaft reached 3030’ on the incline with winzes. Was connected to the Bunker Hill Mine to the south at the 1600; level. Produced . . . Map (db m44620) HM
104 California, Amador County, Drytown — New ChicagoEst. 1877
On New Chicago Road at Old Drytown Plymouth Road on New Chicago Road.
Subdivision for the Grover Mine Appox. 50 mines north to Plymouth Peerless, California, New LondonMap (db m44621) HM
105 California, Amador County, Jackson — Jackson
Near State Highway 49.
In 1848, was a village of huts and tents called "Bottileas” by the Mexicans from the bottles strewn about by those who tarried here. In 1849, it was named Jackson for Colonel Jackson an early day resident. In 1853, Amador . . . Map (db m72060) HM
106 California, Amador County, Jackson — 3 — Kennedy MineArgonaut-Muldoon
On North Main Street, on the left when traveling north.
Viewpoint: 50 yards west, Two of the richest gold mines in Amador County, both reached depths of over one mile. Worked until 1942. Kennedy produced $28.5 million, the Argonaut $ 25 million. Notice headframes west toward Highway 49 and tailing wheels . . . Map (db m44586) HM
107 California, Amador County, Jackson — Kennedy Mining and Milling Company1860 - 1942
Near Kennedy Mine Road.
In the late 1850’s, Andrew Kennedy discovered gold in an outcropping of quartz. The mine produced over $34.2 million in gold, making it one of the richest gold mines in the world. With a depth of 5,912 feet, it was the deepest mine in North America . . . Map (db m19797) HM
108 California, Amador County, Jackson — 1 — Moore Mine
On Fuller Lane at California Highway 49, on the left when traveling west on Fuller Lane.
Founded and active in the 1880’s. 10 stamp mill and a 640’ shaft. Re-opened 1921 till 1929. 20 stamp mill and a 2,291’ incline shaft. Tailing dam north to Raley’s. Produced $564,624 in gold. Nearby Mines: South Jackson, Fern, Kearsling, . . . Map (db m44582) HM
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109 California, Amador County, Jackson — The Court House Well
On Summit Street near Court Street, on the right when traveling north.
Under This Tablet Is The Court House Well Dug in 1851, 52 feet in depth For generations it was a main source of domestic water for the community. “Gone is the ancient equipment but still the living water flows.” . . . Map (db m27908) HM
110 California, Amador County, Jackson — 2 — Zeile Mine and Mine HouseMine location to the southeast.
On Broadway Street at French Bar Road, on the left when traveling south on Broadway Street.
Founded in the 1860’s as the Coney Mine, operated continuously from 1875-1914. Later sold to Kennedy. Incline shaft 1865’ deep. Total production $5 million. Note powder house on road to the east.Map (db m44585) HM
111 California, Amador County, Plymouth — Forest Home1850's — Stage and Freight Stopover —
On Jackson Road (State Highway 16) 0.2 miles west of Forest Home Road, on the left when traveling east.
Copper mines patented 1873: Peak Outputs: Early 1860’s, 1895-1917, 1943-1947, Township organized 1854. A Methodist center for many years U.S. Postoffice: 1862-1905Map (db m11361) HM
112 California, Amador County, Plymouth — 18 — Plymouth Consolidated Mines
On Pacific Street south of California Highway 49, on the left when traveling south.
Founded in 1852 from several claims and consolidated in 1883. Sold to the Argonaut company in 1925 and closed in 1943. Empire workings reopened 1946-47. Pacific shaft 4450’ deep. Total production $13,500,000. Mines north to Cosumnes River: Aden, . . . Map (db m44622) HM
113 California, Amador County, Sutter Creek — 8 — Emerson Shaft
On Cole Street.
Eastern Shaft of the Wildman Mine located at the Post Office site. Used as an air chute and hoist shaft to dispose of waste rock later used to pave roads. The mine founded by William T. Wildman, circa 1851Map (db m12601) HM
114 California, Amador County, Sutter Creek — Lincoln Mine
On Amador Road at Hanford Street (Old Highway 49) on Amador Road.
First (1851) quartz mine & mill in Sutter Creek on Amador Road. Leland Stanford financier, politician and benefactor controlled this mine (1859-1872). Under Supt. R. C. Downs it proved a bonanza, aided Stanford to join the builders of the Central . . . Map (db m42409) HM
115 California, Amador County, Sutter Creek — 11 — Lincoln Mine
On Old Sutter Creek-Amador City Highway north of Hanford Street (Old Highway 49).
Founded in 1851 as Amador #2. Renamed the Union Mine and finally the Lincoln Mine by new owner Leland Stanford. Worked until 1924, producing $2 million. Consolidated with Wildman- Mahoney Mines. Foundations and dump remain.Map (db m44607) HM
116 California, Amador County, Sutter Creek — Mahoney MineOn top of the Hill
Near Gopher Flat Road.
Founded by Jerry Mahoney from Killarney, Ireland in 1851. Claim purchased from Alvinza Hayward. Merged with the Wildman Mine and reached a depth of 1200 feet. Produced $5 million in gold. Later part of Lincoln Consolidated Co.Map (db m12606) HM
117 California, Amador County, Sutter Creek — Miners' Bend ParkA Historic Gold Mining Park
On Old Route 49 (Main Street), on the left when traveling south.
Sutter Creek, California Left Panel: Like many communities in the Sierra Foothills, Sutter Creek grew out of the great gold rush of 1849. Thousands of men of every nationality arrived seeking fortunes through toil, sweat, and luck. . . . Map (db m106380) HM
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118 California, Amador County, Sutter Creek — 7 — Old Eureka Mine
On Main Street (Old California 49) at Sutter Hill Road, on the right when traveling south on Main Street (Old California 49).
Founded in early 1850’s by Alvinza Hayward, owner of the Badger and Wolverine Mines. Earned $65,000 a month, reaching a depth of 2,250 in late 1800’s. Shaft sunk to 3,500 feet in 1916. In 1924 was purchased by Central Eureka Company. Closed in 1942 . . . Map (db m44606) HM
119 California, Amador County, Sutter Creek — Wildman MinePowder House
Near Gopher Flat Road.
Founded by William T. Wildman in 1851. Merged with Mahoney Mine and reached a depth of 1500 feet. Combined mines operated a 70 stamp mill and produced a total of $5 million in old by 1924. Powder house used to store explosives. Became part of . . . Map (db m12598) HM
120 California, Amador County, Volcano — Volcano
On Main Street at Consolation Street, on the left when traveling north on Main Street.
Discovered in 1848 by Colonel Stevenson’s men who mined Soldiers’ Gulch in ’49. First covered wagon party sluiced rich gravel beds. By ’53, men swarmed flats and gulches naming them picturesquely. Hydraulic operations, begun in ’55, brought . . . Map (db m11365) HM
121 California, Amador County, Volcano — 29 — Volcano
On Main Street at Consolation Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
[Larger Marker]: Started 1848 by soldiers of Colonel Stevenson’s Regiment. Named by miners because of apparent volcanic appearance. Here the first California rental library, 1850, was established. And one of the first “Little . . . Map (db m100574) HM
122 California, Butte County, Magalia — 771 — The Dogtown Nugget
On Old Skyway Road, 0.3 miles north of Pentz-Magalia Road, on the right when traveling east.
This marker symbolizes the discovery of the first large gold nugget in California. It was found across this canyon in Willard Gulch April 12, 1859. Weight 54 pounds.Map (db m29663) HM
123 California, Butte County, Oroville — Cherokee
On Cherokee Road, 1.5 miles east of North General Sherman Way, on the left when traveling north.
Led from Indian Territory by their New England schoolmaster, a band of young Cherokee Argonauts discovered gold here 1850. Town established 1853 when first stores erected by Welsh miners. During heyday of 1875, Cherokee boasted its own theatre, race . . . Map (db m234) HM
124 California, Butte County, Oroville — County Community Well
Near Bird Street at Huntoon Street.
1856 Renovated Oroville Rotary 1980 (Seal of the American Revolution Bicentennial 1776-1976)Map (db m65844) HM
125 California, Butte County, Oroville — Edison Building
On Bird Street at Myers Street on Bird Street.
Edison Ore Mining & Miocene Mining Co. Oct. 1879 to May 1881 by Major Frank McLaughlin searched for platinum to use in Edison’s electric light globe. Used a process to remove gold from black sands found in mine tailings. Miocene Mining Co. . . . Map (db m61556) HM
126 California, Calaveras County, Altaville — 288 — Altaville Foundry & Machine WorksFounded by J.M. Wooster — Est. 1854 —
Near State Highway 49.
Is the site of the longest running continuously operated foundry west of the Mississippi River. All quartz machinery needed for the numerous mines surrounding the Altaville, Angels Camp area was cast here. It was previously known as Altaville . . . Map (db m13005) HM
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127 California, Calaveras County, Angels Camp — Gold Furnace
Near South Main Street/Golden Chain Highway (State Highway 49).
A gold furnace was commonly used to separate mercury from the gold. In gold placer mining, in which small specks and veins of gold were often found in quartz, mercury was used to separate the gold from the quartz. This bonding of the mercury . . . Map (db m57172) HM
128 California, Calaveras County, Angels Camp — GPY-135-2 — Hogarth Stamp Mill
Near South Main Street/Golden Chain Highway (State Highway 49), on the right when traveling north.
In 1895 Harry Hogarth, James Candy and Naylor Williams filed a claim for the Relief Quartz Mine on a hillside above Six Mile Creek near Angels Camp. In 1920, after working the claim by hand for many years, the Hogarths; Harry Sr, Harry Jr, and . . . Map (db m56553) HM
129 California, Calaveras County, Angels Camp — Lightner Mine
Near Main Street (State Highway 49).
This mine site was located in 1855 by Peter Cameron, A.M. Wood, Will Powell and C.G. Lake. Lightner Mining Company organized and operated from 1896-1915. A 40 stamp mill crushed 500,000 tons of ore from vein which widened to 120’. Ore stopped at . . . Map (db m10633) HM
130 California, Calaveras County, Angels Camp — The Hogarth Stamp Mill
Near South Main Street/Golden Chain Highway (State Highway 49), on the right when traveling north.
Common in California after 1853, the stamp mill consisted from one to five heavy pillar-like stamps whose bottom, (or shoes), were cylindrical hammers made of iron, each weighing as much as one thousand pounds. Power to operate the stamps was . . . Map (db m56556) HM
131 California, Calaveras County, Angels Camp — The MonitorCalifornia Hydraulic Mining
Near South Main Street/Golden Chain Highway (State Highway 49), on the right when traveling north.
Hydraulic Mining was the largest and most destructive form of mining. Water, brought through flumes and ditches from high up in the mountains, was redirected into an ever-narrowing channel and out through a giant iron nozzle, called a . . . Map (db m56649) HM
132 California, Calaveras County, Angels Camp — The Story Under the LakeNew Melones Lake
Near State Highway 49.
The body of water you see before you, known as New Melones Lake, is formed by the building of the New Melones Dam. The 625-foot high earth-fill dam was completed in 1979 by the Army Corp of Engineers. A man-made reservoir, the lake hosts a variety . . . Map (db m32433) HM
133 California, Calaveras County, Angels Camp — Utica Mine North Shaft
On Utica Lane north of Sam's Way, on the right when traveling north.
Utica Mine, the most important mine in the Angels District, set national records in the 1890's producing more than 4 million dollars in gold in 30 months. The Utica was also the site of Angels Camp's worst mine disaster when 17 men were buried when . . . Map (db m25646) HM
134 California, Calaveras County, Angels Camp — Water Wheel
Near South Main Street/Golden Chain Highway (State Highway 49), on the right when traveling north.
Water wheels were commonplace to the gold mining regions, providing power for mining and milling operations. Powered by water the wheel was attached to a series of belts and gears which turned the machinery to crush the ores. This water wheel . . . Map (db m56559) HM
135 California, Calaveras County, Burson — 254 — Camanche
Near Camanche Parkway South.
[Upper Marker:] Named Camanche in 1849 after Camanche, Iowa. Once called Limerick. Peak population 1500. Rich mining at nearby Cat Camp, Poverty Bar, and Sand Hill. Mokelumne River water brought in by Lancha Plana and Poverty Bar ditch. . . . Map (db m19752) HM
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136 California, Calaveras County, Copperopolis — 296 — CopperopolisState Registered Landmark No.296
On Main Street, on the left when traveling south.
Copper here discovered by W. K. Reed and Thomas McCarty in 1860. Mines utilized during the Civil War and the First and Second World Wars. During Civil War period was the principal copper producing section of the United States.Map (db m13002) HM
137 California, Calaveras County, Copperopolis — Copperopolis Park
Near Main Street near Baker Street, on the left when traveling south.
Although Copperopolis is known for copper mining, gold was discovered here in 1858, copper in 1860. The gold belt was a mile west of the copper belt. The Madame Felix Mining District produced 200,000 ounces of gold between 1864 and 1974. . . . Map (db m58927) HM
138 California, Calaveras County, Douglas Flat — 272 — The Italian Store
On Main Street, on the left when traveling east.
Built is 1861 by Antonio and Caterina Gagliardo. Served as a Post Office and social center for the community of Douglas Flat. A hand dug well located next to the store supplied Douglas Flat with good fresh water and remains in good shape today. . . . Map (db m58852) HM
139 California, Calaveras County, Jenny Lind — 266 — Jenny Lind
On Milton Road, on the right when traveling east.
Settled in the 1840’s as a flourishing gold mining, cattle ranching and farming community.Map (db m13040) HM
140 California, Calaveras County, Mokelumne Hill — 265 — Chili Gulch
On State Highway 49, on the right when traveling north.
Richest placer mining section, extending five miles, in Calaveras County. Received name from Chileans who worked gulch in 1848 and 1849, and scene of the so-called Chilean War. Largest known quartz crystals recovered from mine on south side of gulch.Map (db m11515) HM
141 California, Calaveras County, Murphys — 465 — Site of Brownsville
On Pennsyvania Gulch Road, on the right when traveling south.
A thriving mining camp on rich Pennsylvania Gulch in the 1850’s and 1860’s. Named for Alfred Brown, former owner of Table Mountain Ranch. Laws of Brownsville Mining District provided that each miner could own one wet and one dry claim, not to exceed . . . Map (db m11501) HM
142 California, Calaveras County, San Andreas — 258 — Fourth Crossing
On State Highway 49, on the right when traveling south.
Located on the Stockton-Murphy Road at the fourth crossing of the Calaveras River, this early mining settlement, once called Foremans, was famous in the 1850's for its rich placer ores. Later, it became an important stage and freighting depot and . . . Map (db m11969) HM
143 California, Calaveras County, San Andreas — 252 — San AndreasHeart of the Southern Mines
On St. Charles Street (State Highway 49) at Main Street, on the right when traveling north on St. Charles Street.
Settled by Mexicans in 1848. Named after Catholic Parish of St. Andrew. First newspaper published here Sept. 24, 1856. Destroyed by fire June 4, 1858 and in 1863. County seat of Calaveras County since 1866. Rendezvous of Joaquin Murietta. Black . . . Map (db m11503) HM
144 California, Calaveras County, Valley Springs — 295 — Paloma (Fosteria)
On Paloma Road at Edster Street, on the right when traveling south on Paloma Road.
Gwin Mine, Paloma, and Lower Rich Gulch were mined for placer in 1849. Quartz was discovered by J. Alexander in 1851. Property acquired by Wm. M. Gwin, California's first U.S. Senator, in 1851. The Gwin Mine closed, in 1908, yielded millions.Map (db m14449) HM
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145 California, Contra Costa County, Antioch — 932 — Mount Diablo Coal Field
On Somersville Road, in the median.
From 1860 to 1906, this area was the largest coal mining district in California. Five towns (Nortonville, Somersville, Stewartville, Judsonville and West Hartley) grew up around twelve major mines. Today the towns are gone. The buildings having been . . . Map (db m139449) HM
146 California, Contra Costa County, Clayton — Clayton
On Main Street at Diablo Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
Miwok Indians inhabited this valley at the base of Mt. Diablo when Spanish explorers came in the 1770’s. Scouts, trappers, prospectors and settlers followed. In 1857 Clayton was founded by Joel Clayton, a miner, farmer, and wagonmaster from . . . Map (db m59954) HM
147 California, Del Norte County, Crescent City — The Metcalf Grove
On Howland Hill Road, on the left when traveling east.
This grove is given to the State of California for the preservation of these ancient trees by Mr. and Mrs. Jesse H. Metcalf of Rhode Island.Map (db m1510) HM
148 California, El Dorado County, Coloma — 748 — The Coloma Road
Near State Highway 49.
Here in the Valley of the Cul-lum-mah Indians, James W. Marshall discovered gold on January 24, 1848, in the tailrace of Sutter’s sawmill. The Old Coloma Road, opened in 1847 from Sutter’s Fort to Coloma, was used by Marshall to carry the news of . . . Map (db m12272) HM
149 California, El Dorado County, El Dorado — 486 — El Dorado
On Main Street (Pleasant Valley Road) at Church Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street (Pleasant Valley Road).
El Dorado, meaning “The Gilded One”, was first known as Mud Springs from the boggy quagmire the cattle and horses made of a nearby watering place. Originally a important camp along the old Carson Emigrant Trail. By 1849 – 50 it . . . Map (db m13148) HM
150 California, El Dorado County, Georgetown — Georgia Slide
On Wentworth Springs Road at School Street, on the right when traveling south on Wentworth Springs Road.
One and a half miles north of Georgetown sailors from Georgia established claims in 1849. General store and mining camp in 1850 which later produced by seam diggins hydraulic and flood sluicing methods. The famous Blue Rock, Pacific Beattie and . . . Map (db m54943) HM
151 California, El Dorado County, Placerville — Gold Bug, A Neighborhood Mine
Near Gold Bug Lane east of Bedford Avenue.
The Gold Bug is like the thousands of small mines that once dotted the Sierra foothills. Surprisingly enough, most of the digging in this mine occurred in the 1920’s and 30’s, and not during the Gold Rush. Mines like this were worked by small . . . Map (db m69863) HM
152 California, El Dorado County, Placerville — Hangtown’s Gold Bug Park
Near Gold Bug Lane east of Bedford Avenue.
Did you know that Gold Bug Park has nearly 100 years of gold mining history? The 61 acres of the park include six mining claims that were once a part of the Poverty Ridge Mining District. Some of the richest deposits of the Mother Lode were . . . Map (db m69861) HM
153 California, El Dorado County, Placerville — The Stamp Mill
Near Josua Hendy Lane north of Gold Bug Lane.
Local residents remember that the thunderous crashing staccato of the ore stamp mill could be heard for miles in the narrow canyon. The song of the stamps had been a familiar sound in this area for since George Cozens erected the first mill here in . . . Map (db m69864) HM
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154 California, El Dorado County, Shingle Springs — 456 — Camp Site of Boston-Newton Party
On this site the Boston-Newton Joint Stock Association encamped on September 26, 1849. The company left Boston April 16 and arrived at Sutter’s Fort September 27. After a remarkable journey across the continent a rich store of written records . . . Map (db m11568) HM
155 California, Fresno County, Coalinga — “Wooden Walking Beam”
On Elm Avenue (California Route 33/198) at Pearl Street, on the right when traveling north on Elm Avenue.
This pumping unit, known as a wooden walking beam, was one of the oldest and last remaining in actual use within the Coalinga oil fields. Put into service in July of 1918, it was in continuous use until November 1979. Initial production was 170 . . . Map (db m64108) HM
156 California, Fresno County, Coalinga — Coaling Station A
On West Elm Street just east of 7th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Station A was one of three mines (A. B. & C.) in the Coalinga Hills where coal was mined. The coal was transfered (sic) from mule driven ore wagons. Then by coal cars pulled by old Betsy to the transfer dock at Alcalde in Warthan Canyon, from there . . . Map (db m229468) HM
157 California, Fresno County, Fresno — 6 — Green Bush Spring
Near Mariposa Street just south of Fulton Street.
On this spot in the early days was a flowing spring beside which stood a large green bush. Wild horses, deer, elk and antelope watered here and it served as a watering place for sheep and cattle. The presence of this water caused the . . . Map (db m242667) HM
158 California, Fresno County, Hume — Buck Rock LookoutA Continuing Legacy of Meeting the Nation's Needs
On FS 14S11, 5 miles north of Generals Highway, on the left when traveling north.
The Birth of Lookouts From the days of the old west, through the trials of World War II, to our current high-tech world, the story of the fire lookout is laced with history, heroics and romance. The history of fire lookouts in . . . Map (db m213281) HM
159 California, Fresno County, Selma — 30 — Groundwater Irrigation Beginnings
Near Art Gonzales Parkway, 0.2 miles Highland Avenue.
[Marker Front:] Groundwater Irrigation Beginnings The San Joaquin Valley's groundwater reservoir was first tapped with a practical pumping plant 4 miles northeast of here on Dec. 12, 1894. William De La Grange of Selma, tired of . . . Map (db m28594) HM
160 California, Humboldt County, Petrolia — 543 — California's First Drilled Oil Wells
On Front Street east of Sherman Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
California's first drilled oil wells producing crude to be refined and sold commercially were located on the north fork of the Mattole River approximately three miles east of here. The old Union Mattole Oil Company made its first shipment of oil . . . Map (db m51955) HM
161 California, Imperial County, Imperial — Imperial Irrigation District
On East Barioni Boulevard, on the right when traveling west.
The largest gravity fed irrigation district in the western hemisphere, established in 1911. They later assumed control of several water companies and were instrumental in getting the Hoover Dam and the All American Canal built. They commenced . . . Map (db m62035) HM
162 California, Imperial County, Winterhaven — 193 — Picacho Mines
On Picacho Road, on the right when traveling north.
Opened by placer miners after 1852, the gold mines expanded into hard rock quarrying by 1872. Picacho employed 700 miners at its peak from 1895 to 1900. Mill accidents, low ore quality, and the loss of cheap river transport with the building of . . . Map (db m50584) HM
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163 California, Inyo County, Cartago — 537 — Cottonwood Charcoal Kilns
On U.S. 395, 1 mile east of U.S. 395, on the left when traveling east. Reported missing.
In June 1873 Colonel Sherman Stevens built a sawmill and flume on Cottonwood Creek high in the Sierras directly west of this spot. The flume connected with the Los Angeles Bullion Road. The lumber from the flume was used for timbering in the mine . . . Map (db m33877) HM
164 California, Inyo County, Coso Junction — Coso Hot Springs
Near U.S. 395, on the right when traveling north.
In the 1930s, this billboard directed travelers to the Coso Hot Springs resort, which was 10 miles to the east. Molten rock, or magma, lies about five miles below the earth's surface. Groundwater percolates through rock fractures, is . . . Map (db m195627) HM
165 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — Ashford Mill RuinsFading Fortunes
Near Badwater Road, 2 miles north of Jubilee Pass Road, on the left when traveling north.
In 1914, gold ore from the Golden Treasure Mine, 5 miles to the east, was processed here for shipment to a smelter. Legend has it that the Ashford Brothers sold the mine for $50,000 to a Hungarian Count, who later sold it to B.W. McCausland for . . . Map (db m89558) HM
166 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — Badwater Pool
On Badwater Road, 17 miles south of California Route 190, on the right when traveling south.
Good Life in Badwater Water is rare and precious in Death Valley. Imagine the disappointment when a surveyor mapping this area could not get his mule to drink from this pool. He wrote on his map that the spring had "bad water," and . . . Map (db m159465) HM
167 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — 444 — Bennett-Arcan Long Camp
On West Side Road, 16 miles south of Badwater Road, on the left when traveling south.
Near this spot the Bennett-Arcane contingent of the Death Valley '49ers, emigrants from the Middle West, seeking shortcut to California gold fields, were stranded for a month and almost perished from starvation. William Lewis Manley and John Rogers, . . . Map (db m159315) HM
168 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — Eagle Borax Works
Near West Side Road, 13 miles south of Badwater Road, on the left when traveling south.
A few structural remains and the nearby borax windrows are the most visible reminders of Eagle Borax Works, the first borax refinery in Death Valley. Businessman Isador Daunet founded the Eagle operation on this site, producing borax by . . . Map (db m159313) HM
169 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — Journigan’s MillDesert Dreams
On Emigrant Canyon Road, 6.5 miles south of California Route 190, on the right when traveling south.
Roy Journigan acquired this mill site in Emigrant Canyon shortly after passage of the 1934 Gold Reserve Act caused the price of gold to jump from $20 to $35 an ounce. His strategy was to operate a custom mill for local mines, so both he and the . . . Map (db m212389) HM
170 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — Keane Wonder Mine“King of the Desert”
Near Beatty Road.
Good fortune inspired the name “King of the Desert,“ coined for the Keane Wonder Mine by the Rhyolite Herald in 1911. The mine was discovered by Jack Keane and Domingo Etcharren in 1904. Producing over a million dollars in gold from 1904 to 1917, . . . Map (db m159260) HM
171 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — Keane Wonder Mine
Near Beatty Road. Reported permanently removed.
During the first two decades of this century the Keane Wonder Mine was the scene of major investment and development. The products of this labor were the riches - gold and silver. About 1903, Jack Keane, prospector, discovered gold in this . . . Map (db m159264) HM
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172 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — LeadfieldDreams and Schemes
On Titus Canyon Road, 15 miles west of Highway 374, on the right when traveling west.
The Roaring '20s, like the 1990s and early 2000s, fueled an age of excess and speculation, setting the stage for Leadfield, a town built on dreams of wealth. Lead deposits attracted prospectors to Titus Canyon as early as 1905, but . . . Map (db m195240) HM
173 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — 773 — Old Harmony Borax Works
On California Route 190 at Borax Mill Road, on the left when traveling north on State Route 190.
On the marsh near this point borax was discovered in 1881 by Aaron Winters who later sold his holdings to W. T. Coleman of San Francisco. In 1882 Coleman built the Harmony Borax Works and commissioned his superintendent J. W. S. Perry to design . . . Map (db m158971) HM
174 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — Saratoga SpringsA Remote Rest Stop
On Saratoga Springs Road, 10 miles west of California Route 127.
Named after the famed Saratoga Springs in New York state, the springs here create open-water ponds that contrast starkly with the hot, dry, desolate floor of Death Valley. The first visitors to its refreshing waters included resident and . . . Map (db m235621) HM
175 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — Skidoo Mill
Near Skidoo Road, 8 miles east of Emigrant Canyon Road.
Powered by water piped from a spring high in the Panamint Range, the Skidoo Mill extracted gold from ore and was one of Death Valley's most profitable operations. Skidoo had the only water-powered milling plant in Death Valley. The . . . Map (db m159375) HM
176 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — Warm Springs CampDeath Valley National Park
On Warm Springs Road, 11 miles west of West Side Road, on the left when traveling west.
Independent from an early age, Louise Grantham moved from Ohio to California in her twenties and, without training or experience, became a prospector. The fact that this land belonged to someone else did not deter her. In 1929, . . . Map (db m238062) HM
177 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — White Gold
Near Borax Mill Road west of California Route 190, on the left when traveling west.
Though steeped in legend, the frenzied search for gold and other materials in Death Valley produced few fortunes. Borax, the "White Gold of the Desert," ranks as the valley's most profitable mineral. Harmony Borax works, in front of you, . . . Map (db m32661) HM
178 California, Inyo County, Death Valley National Park — Wildrose Charcoal Kilns
On Charcoal Kiln Road, 7 miles east of Emigrant Canyon Road, on the right when traveling east.
Built in 1877, these kilns produced charcoal for the Modock Mine smelter about 20 miles to the west. Workers filled the stone kilns with piñon pine logs (relatively abundant in this area) and fired them. The burning, which reduced the wood to . . . Map (db m159369) HM
179 California, Inyo County, Keeler — Dolomite Mine
On California Route 136 at Dolomite Loop (east end) on State Route 136.
In 1862 this high quality deposit of dolomitic limestone was discovered. Its remorte location delayed development until 1883, when the Carson & Colorado Railroad was constructed. In 1885, Drew Haven Dunn filed a mining claim and the Inyo Marble . . . Map (db m72577) HM
180 California, Inyo County, Keeler — Keeler Then to Now
On Old State Highway west of Malone Street, on the left when traveling west.
In 1865 Pablo Flores found the richest vein of silver California has ever had ($17 million) overlooking Owens Lake at the crest of the Inyo Mountains. By 1868 Cerro Gordo Landing was growing to supply the mines. Water went up the "Yellow . . . Map (db m221858) HM
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181 California, Inyo County, Lone Pine — Alabama Gates
Near U.S. 395 at Los Angles Aqueduct Road, on the left when traveling north.
The Alabama Gates and gate house were constructed in 1913 when the Los Angeles Aqueduct was built to dewater the aqueduct when maintenance is necessary. On November 16, 1924, seventy or more local citizens seized the aqueduct at the Alabama Gates . . . Map (db m93252) HM
182 California, Inyo County, Owens Lake — Gifts of Rock and WaterThe region surrounding Owens Lake yields more than water
Near California Route 136.
People have long benefitted from the richness of the Owens Lake area. For at least 10,000 years, American Indians have lived here and harvested resources, including glass-sharp obsidian for arrow points and spearheads. In the . . . Map (db m221929) HM
183 California, Kern County, Bakersfield — Assay Office
Near Chester Avenue.
Kern County experienced a mining boom just like other parts of California. Prospectors arriving from near and far found gold, silver and other valuable ore in Kern County’s mountains beginning in the 1850s. An assayer tests the purity . . . Map (db m26080) HM
184 California, Kern County, Bakersfield — Cable Tool Drilling Rig
Near Chesterfield Drive.
Kern County is one of the top oil producing areas in the United States. Four oil fields in Kern County have each produced over one billion barrels of oil. In 1899, the discovery of oil on land near the Kern River started an oil boom. . . . Map (db m25692) HM
185 California, Kern County, Bakersfield — 290 — Discovery WellKern River Field — California Historical Landmark —
On Round Mountain Road, 0.8 miles east of China Grade Loop, on the right when traveling east.
Oil was discovered at 70 feet in 1899, when Tom Means persuaded Roe Elwood and Frank Wiseman, aided by Jonathan, Bert, Jed, and Ken Elwood, George Wiseman, and John Marlowe, to dig here for oil. On June 1, 1899, 400 feet to the north, Horace and . . . Map (db m168102) HM
186 California, Kern County, Bakersfield — Fairhaven Pump House
Near Chester Avenue.
Access to adequate water supplies was crucial to the settlement of Kern County. Water from the Kern River was diverted to irrigate farmlands, but most towns relied on wells for drinking water. The Fairhaven Water Company built this . . . Map (db m25493) HM
187 California, Kern County, Bakersfield — Standard End Pumping Unit
Near Chester Avenue.
This standard end pumping unit was salvaged and erected by the Production Department, Chevron U.S.A., Inc., La Habra to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Standard Oil Company of California The unit is composed of original parts from the San . . . Map (db m26118) HM
188 California, Kern County, Boron — Borax
On California Route 58, 2.5 miles east of Twenty Mule Team Road.
In the 1880s, the famous twenty-mule teams hauled borax from mines in Death Valley to the railroad junction in Mojave. The wagon route passed just north of here. In 1925, a huge deposit of borax ores was discovered near Boron. By the . . . Map (db m155972) HM
189 California, Kern County, Boron — Twenty Mule Team
Near Borax Road, 2.5 miles north of California Route 58.
This is one of the original twenty mule team wagon sets, used to carry borax out of Death Valley, through 165 miles of desolate mountains and blistering deserts, to the closest railroad spur in Mojave, California. It took 20 days for the 20 Mule . . . Map (db m123897) HM
190 California, Kern County, Johannesburg — The King Solomon Mine
On Sunset Avenue at Fremont Street, on the left when traveling west on Sunset Avenue.
The King Solomon Mine here in Johannesburg had lots of gold pulled out of this mine and some speculate that it may be an extension of the Butte Mine over the hill in Randsburg. Historically the site has been associated with the Rand Mining . . . Map (db m181227) HM
191 California, Kern County, Maricopa — 485 — Lakeview Gusher No.1California Historical Landmark
On Petroleum Club Road, on the left when traveling north.
America's most spectacular gusher blew in here on March 14, 1910. Initially 18,000 barrels per day, the flow later reached an uncontrolled peak of 100,000 barrels per day, completely destroying the derrick. This Union Oil Company well produced nine . . . Map (db m54267) HM
192 California, Kern County, McKittrick — 504 — Buena Vista RefineryCalifornia Historical Landmark
On Lokern Road at Westside Highway (County Route 33), on the right when traveling west on Lokern Road.
Eight miles due west of this marker stood one of California's first commercial oil refineries. Between August 1864 and April 1867, approximately 4,000 gallons of illuminating oil produced there was shipped to San Francisco by the Buena Vista . . . Map (db m78295) HM
193 California, Kern County, Mojave — Golden Queen Mine Cart
On Flightline Street, on the left when traveling west.
This display commemorates the Mojave area's rich mining history, which began with the discovery of gold on the Little Buttes north of the present day Silver Queen Road. That discovery by W.W.Bowers was followed by many others in the region, . . . Map (db m53129) HM
194 California, Kern County, Mojave — 652 — Mojave 20-Mule Team Borax Terminus
On California Route 14 north of Nadeau Street, on the right when traveling north.
Just west of this point was the Southern Pacific terminus for the Twenty-Mule-Team Borax wagons that operated between Death Valley and Mojave from 1884 to 1889. The route ran from the Harmony Borax Mining Company works, later acquired by the . . . Map (db m123891) HM
195 California, Kern County, Oildale — Oildale Waits Drilling Company
On China Grade Loop Road, on the right when traveling west.
In May 1899, Thomas A. Means owned the land where James and Jonathan Elwood discovered oil on the North Bank of the Kern River. They used a hand auger under the edge of the cliff checking for oil, and later moved to the top to drill. Oil surfaced . . . Map (db m64665) HM
196 California, Kern County, Randsburg — 938 — Rand Mining District
On Butte Avenue at Highland Avenue on Butte Avenue.
The Yellow Aster, or Rand Mine, was discovered in April, 1895 by Singleton Burcham and Mooers. The town of Randsburg quickly developed followed by the supply town of Johannesburg in 1896. Both names were adopted from the profusion of minerals . . . Map (db m50461) HM
197 California, Kern County, Randsburg — 57 — Randsburg, California
On Red Rock Randsberg Road at Butte Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Red Rock Randsberg Road.
Gold was discovered on the slope of Rand Mountain in 1895. From this discovery, the town of Randsburg sprang up almost overnight. By 1899, the town had over 3500 residents. Randsburg boasted a 100-stamp mill and conservative estimates are that . . . Map (db m78578) HM
198 California, Kern County, Red Mountain — Historic Randsburg
On Red Mountain Road, 0.8 miles west of U.S. 395, on the left when traveling west. Reported permanently removed.
Rand Camp began as a tent city, erected by eager miners who rushed to the Mojave Desert following a major gold discovery in April 1895. A year later, the town of 1,500 had been renamed "Randsburg." Saloons sprouted, a U.S. Post Office was . . . Map (db m153141) HM
199 California, Kern County, Red Mountain — Kelly Silver MineThe Owl Cafe and Slim Riffle
On U.S. 395, 0.2 miles south of Red Mountain Road, on the right when traveling south.
Kelly Silver Mine Silver was discovered directly behind this building around 1918. The Kelly Silver Mine was the richest in the world at the time, albeit other silver mines in the area were very profitable as well. As a result, the . . . Map (db m152428) HM
200 California, Kern County, Red Mountain — 18 — Red MountainSilver Dollar Saloon
On U.S. 395 just north of Red Moutain Road, on the left when traveling north. Reported missing.
One of the richest silver strikes occurred in the community of Red Mountain. The Kelly and Grady claims started a silver boom which brought prosperity to this region in the 1900's. In one 60 day period over $170,000 in silver was mined from a hole . . . Map (db m158901) HM

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May. 3, 2024