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
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. Continue Reading
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. Continue Reading
The Old Hundred gold mine traces its history back to the late 1800s and was worked intermittently until the early 1970s. The mine has been closed for decades, however it is now open for tours which offer a unique view into what a working mine was like. Continue Reading
Published in the 2016 Mining History JournalBy Larry Godwin Click here to download the notes for this article Silver Lake, which early settlers called Arrastra Lake, lies in a basin at the head of Arrastra Creek, four miles southeast of Silverton, Colorado, near the center of the Las Animas Mining District, in what was then Continue Reading
Death Valley’s Harmony Borax Works operated during the 1880s. The borax operations of Death Valley made the “20 Mule Teams”, the wagon trains that hauled the finished borax across the desert, famous in American culture. Continue Reading
The Gould & Curry Mill of Virginia City
“The extraordinary mill of the Gould & Curry Company was, however, the most conspicuous monument of inexperience and extravagance ever erected in a mining district.” Continue Reading
The Fulton Foundry of Virginia City
This is a members-only article. Click here for information on memberships at Western Mining History. Already a member? Sign in to your account. Continue Reading
The hanging flume is is a five mile section of wooden flume that was built on the sheer cliffs of the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers in the canyon country of western Colorado. Built over a three-year period from 1888 to 1891, the flume was 150 feet or more above the canyon floor and was Continue Reading
