The White Pine Silver Rush
Deep in what was a vast wilderness in eastern Nevada, the White Pine district experienced one of the most intense and short-lived mining excitements in the history of the American West. What began as a modest discovery in the mid-1860s escalated into a boom that drew thousands of miners, speculators, and investors to the heights of Treasure Hill. Continue Reading
The Farwell Ditch
This little-known history of the Farwell Ditch in the Hahn’s Peak Mining District (located approximately thirty miles north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado) was provided by author Nolan Farwell, a distant relative of John V. Farwell, for whom the ditch was named. Continue Reading
Seven Troughs, Nevada: The Long Tunnel
Seven Troughs was a well-known Nevada gold mining district that saw its most productive years from 1907 to 1917. By the 1920s the district was largely idle, until an ambitious tunnel project was proposed to make mining economical once more and revive the district. This is the story of the “Long Tunnel” at what is now known as the Tunnel Camp site. Continue Reading
The Belcher Mine: 1870s Mining Methods of the Comstock Lode
Using the fascinating ca. 1876 illustration of the Belcher mine workings by T. L. Dawes, this article examines some of the mining methods employed in the mines of Nevada’s Comstock Lode. Continue Reading
Historic Silver Ingots: 19th Century Treasures
The ingots produced by the mines of the West’s great silver districts are some of the only remaining artifacts from from a bygone era of Western mining. As some of the few surviving artifacts from these camps, they are now prized by collectors. This article takes a look at silver ingots that have sold at auction over the last couple decades. Continue Reading
The Nevada Belmont Mine and Mill
What is now known as the Belmont mine was previously referred to as the Nevada Belmont and was operated by the Tonopah-Belmont Exploration Company. The mine was a lead producer, and only recorded production in 1926. Continue Reading
Member’s Photo Compilation Volume IV
This member’s only photo compilation contains over 100 of the best historical photos from the mining regions of the West. Continue Reading
Creede, Colorado: A Photo Collection
The great silver boom at Creede, Colorado began in 1891. The railroad was offering regular passenger service to Creede by the end of that year, setting the stage for a huge influx of people by 1892. Also arriving in the area by train were journalists and photographers from around the nation, making this one of the best documented boom towns in the West. Continue Reading
The Humphreys Mill
Located just north of Creede, Colorado, the remains of the Humphreys Mill mark the site of a significant industrial facility that operated from 1902 to 1918. Primarily processing silver, lead, and zinc ores, the mill played an important role in Creede’s mining economy during the early 20th century. Continue Reading
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. Continue Reading
