Mining History Library

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The Ward Mining District

This promotional pamphlet was handed out to passengers of the Union Pacific, Denver & Gulf Railway in the 1890s to promote the Ward, Colorado mining district: "should any investors have their attention drawn to this area by the claims of special properties, they can be assured, whatever may be the result of their particular investigation, that they are entering an area full of promise and of prospective returns"

A Peep At Washoe - First Paper (1860 Harper's New Monthly Magazine)

In Paper One of "A Peep At Washoe", the author describes the mood in California as yet another great mining excitement sweeps the state. The article is comical in tone, yet contains many interesting details related to the rush to the newly discovered Comstock mines.

From Express Rider to the Superior Bench (1907 Newspaper)

Article from the February 17, 1907 edition of the Sacramento Union details some of the dramatic events one Canyon City, Oregon pioneer lived through while traveling the region in the 1860s.

The Deserts of Nevada and the Death Valley (1907 Scientific American)

A USGS mapping team visits the desert region of southwest Nevada and Death Valley, includes interesting details on some of the mining camps in the area.

He Wanted A Grand Funeral (1881 Newspaper)

"The sun was shrinking behind the snowy peaks of the Rockies, gilding their glittering tops with rosy light, as poor Dave York was borne by the boys to his cabin. He had been terribly hurt by a blast in the mine."

A Mining Camp Without a Peer (Bingham, Utah) (1915 Scientific American)

"A million cubic yards means nothing to the ordinary man, but if it was loaded onto a string of heavy ore cars you would count 40,000 before the string had passed, and they would, coupled, occupy 380 miles of track. The yearly load would fill a train extending for 19,000 miles, three fourths of the journey round the equator."

The Career of a Mining Engineer (1914 Scientific American)

"In this profession the conditions in the various mining districts of the world are different and probably more varied than are met with by the men in any other engineering profession."

The Montana & Denver Reduction Company's Mill at Bearmouth, Montana (1900 Engineering and Mining Journal)

"Mr. A. B. Browne, who was general manager for the Mammoth Company at the time of its shutdown, realized the conditions of these two districts and saw the needs and advantages of a custom mill to treat the ores of this region. A mill located at the foot of the hills on which the mines are located would draw ores from a circle of 10 to 15 miles radius."

Underground Scenic Trip in the World's Greatest Gold Camp (1905)

This 1905 brochure from the Cripple Creek Excursion Company promises "The only trip of its kind in the world - A visit to Cripple Creek is not complete without it." Article includes images of all eight pages of the brochure.

Story of the Drumlummon Mine (1903 Newspaper)

"For many years nearly every resident of the great northwest, together with those of the money centers of the commercial world, have been familiar with the name of the once colossal and fabulously rich gold-bearing quartz mine known as the Drumlummon. It was a remarkable property, and was fashioned by nature upon a heroic scale; heroic in its extent, heroic in its volume of ore, heroic in the wealth of its output, and heroic in its far-reaching effects upon the quartz mining industry of Montana and of contiguous states."

A Mine Worth Millions in Gold, Silver, and Copper (Freeland, Colorado) (1886 Newspaper)

"Together with Mr. George G. Vivian, assistant superintendent, and Mr. Jack Proutt, foreman of the entire Freeland mine, we shall this week take our readers through the various underground workings, the hoisting works and the concentrator."

Doc Holliday Shoots William Allen at Leadville (1884 Newspaper)

"William Allen, an ex-policeman and one of the best known of the old timers, was seriously wounded in a sensational scrimmage by "Doc" Holliday, a man who enjoys the reputation of being one of the most desperate and determined in the west"

Santa Clara River Placers (1910 Mining and Scientific Press)

The Santa Clara river placers are situated about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, on the north side of the little Santa Clara river, in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, California.

The Empire Mine (Silver City, Idaho) (1877 Engineering and Mining Journal)

"On June 9 a couple of men entered the works of the Empire Mine, Silver City, Idaho, while the men were taking supper, and, finding a watchman on hand, politely invited him to vacate, which he did, and quietly took possession of the property."

Heat in the Silver Mines (1880 Mining and Scientific Press)

Article describes what it was like for the miners in the extreme heat of the Comstock mines: "The men-packed together as close as they can stand on the cage-are popped up out of the shaft all steaming hot, for all the world like a bunch of asparagus just lifted from the pot."

The Burning of Virginia City (1875 Newspaper)

The 1875 Virginia City fire was likely the most catastrophic fire of any mining city in the West with estimated damages around $200 million in today's dollars. This article details the events of the fire and the lost structures - both business houses and homes. Also included are two 1875 maps, one that illustrates Virginia City before the fire, and another that shows the burned area.

The Virginia Disaster (1875 Mining and Scientific Press)

Account of the devastating 1875 fire at Virginia City, Nevada discusses the impact on the mines, and includes interesting information like details of how the mine shafts were safeguarded from the fire.

Klondike Camp Angels (1897 Newspaper)

"Any Klondike settlement is in need of a camp angel would do well to apply to the undersigned, who is young, single, good looking and intelligent, with good disposition, and a constitution warranted to withstand the wear and tear of any amount of hardship and deprivations in the cause of novel experiences, and who is a first-class cook, a graduated dressmaker and a tailoress of some experience, who can make and mend."

The Steamship Excelsior Arrives (1897 Newspaper)

Account of the arrival of the steamer Excelsior at San Francisco, full of Klondike gold. Article also reports on the impending famine at Dawson City during the upcoming winter.

First Big Gold Strikes (Alaska and Yukon Territory) (1897 Newspaper)

Overview of gold discoveries and subsequent excitements at Juneau and the Klondike region.