It is often overlooked that the events surrounding “Gunfight at the OK Corral” occurred during one of the most important silver mining excitements in United States history, and many of the region’s mining camps and towns played a part in the events that unfolded.
William Keys and the Desert Queen Ranch
William Keys was a notable prospector and miner in the Death Valley region during the early 1900s. He later settled on a ranch in Southern California that later became part of Joshua Tree National Park. The ranch, which contains many interesting mining artifacts, is open for guided tours.
The Plumbago Mine – Alleghany District, California
The Plumbago mine was a gold producer located in Sierra County, California. The mine was worked intermittently for over a century.
Once one of Creede, Colorado’s most significant silver producers, the Last Chance Mine now offers underground tours that provide visitors with a fascinating look at the workings of an 1890s mine.
Randsburg, California: The C. W. Tucker Collection
Randsburg, California, was the site of a gold rush that began in 1896. Resident photographer C. W. Tucker documented the town and its mines, but his work remained largely unknown until a collection of his photographs was auctioned in 2011.
Member’s Photo Compilation Volume III
This member’s only photo compilation contains over 100 of the best historical photos from the mining regions of the West.
Ute and Ulay Mine – Lake City, Colorado
The Ute and Ulay mine is located a few mile west of Lake City, Colorado. The mine, part of the Galena (aka Henson Creek) district, was a producer of gold, silver, lead and zinc. Located in 1871, this was the first major mineral discovery in the Lake City area.
The Bachelor Mine was one of Ouray, Colorado’s leading mines for nearly a century. Today, the Syracuse Tunnel, part of the Bachelor operation, hosts underground tours, offering a unique and immersive experience for visitors.
Silver Tip Mine – Silver Valley, Idaho
This series of photos of the Silver Tip Mine by Owen Kennedy offer a fascinating glimpse into one of Silver Valley’s smaller operations, both above and below ground.
Copper and Community: Life at Kennecott
During the 1990s, three separate reunions were held at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge that brought together the school-age children and adult laborers that lived at Kennecott during the 1920s and 1930s. The interviews that were conducted at these events provide a rare and fascinating look into life at one of the West’s most remote mining camps.
