Exploring a Place Where Time Stands Still

wayoflife

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Staff member
The older I get, the more heartbroken I find myself every time Cindy and I visit a ghost town, mining camp or other historical destination that we've enjoyed for years, only to find it shot up, vandalized or worse, burned to the ground. Unfortunately, more and more, this is becoming the norm - not the exception. But, as luck would have it, there are still a few places that are, for the most part, still intact and visiting them is like taking a walk back in time. The following few pics are from a trip we took last summer to visit one such place and we hope you enjoy.

Back in the late 1860's, silver-lead ores were discovered in this mountain range and by 1875, a 30-ton smelter was built and operated here but it only operated for about 4 years before being shut down.
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While all mining ceased by 1880, interest was renewed in the early 1900's and between 1907 and 1908, ore was hauled down to a 10-stamp mill about 4 miles away.
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Interest in the mine continued on and off well into the 1960 and maybe even longer. In fact, from what I understand, the claim is actually still active and I've even seen it for sale at one point and time. Because of this, there's a wonderful juxtaposition between newer technology being nailed right up to some really old structures.
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Here's a shot from the top of the mill and looking up toward the main mine.
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As you can see, the headframe, hoppers, motors and equipment strewn across the area is more modern in nature but in an early 20th century kind of way.
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Shot looking inside the hoist house.
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A few more shots of the mill.
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Leaving the mine, we headed over to the mining camp which is located about a mile to the southeast or at least, as the crow flies.
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Here, a number of stone foundations, cabins, bunkhouses, trailers and even offices are still standing and they kind of show the progression of time as people from different eras populated this remote mining camp.
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Someone even took the time to build this small house for their dog.
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Of all the things that I've read about this mining camp, two things really caught my interest. The first, is that a guy named Turner suffered a "violent" and untimely death and some were left to speculate, that was the reason why the mine went idle and eventually, bankrupt.
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The second, is that Christian B. Zabriskie, the man who most know from the famous U.S. Borax operations in Death Valley, actually lived and ran a general store in this camp.
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Almost as if everyone just dropped what they were doing and left.
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Like a place where time has just stood still, you can still read the newspapers and pages from old magazines plastered to the walls and ceilings to help insulated some of the drafty cabins. This one is from 1939.
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Here's one from the 1940's and intended to help promote moral during WWII...
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This ad by Autolite tries to sell you on their new battery that only needs water 3 times a year and does so by asking, 'Which is the Real Bob Hope?'
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The 1950's Dodge featured the Gyro-matic. The world's "lowest price automatic transmission"...
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This cabin looked more like an office and it had a desk filled with periodicals from the early 1960's.
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On the far end of the camp, there are very cool old Dodge trucks that we just had to take a shot with our Gladiator.
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Made in the USA
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Only 32,000 miles on the odometer!
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At only 12,000 miles, this one is practically new!
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And, last but not least, here's a shot of Cindy and I ending our fun filled day of exploring and by meeting up and drinking with good friends of ours - CHEERS!
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Great shots as a fourth generation miner I love the history of the industry that has fed my family for four generations. Thanks 👍
 
What an awesome adventure! Would love to visit that place someday. Oh, who is that guy with the beard? Kinda looks familiar. :LOL:
 
I love this old stuff and would love to get a chance to check this place out. Also thanks for thr vocabulary lesson. I had to look up what juxtaposition meant...haha. Sounds like a Dr. Seuss word
 
Nice! The main building with the hoist reminds me of Cerro Gordo. I’m actually surprised at how much stuff in your pics has been left untouched.
 
I love this old stuff and would love to get a chance to check this place out. Also thanks for thr vocabulary lesson. I had to look up what juxtaposition meant...haha. Sounds like a Dr. Seuss word
LOL - the results of an education that was offered in a different era. 🤪
Wow!
I need to get out and see more of this stuff!
I hate to say it but you had better do it sooner than later. Thanks to social media, it's all disappearing and fast.
 
Some transient Eddie and Cindy found wandering out in the desert.
:ROFLMAO:
Nice! The main building with the hoist reminds me of Cerro Gordo. I’m actually surprised at how much stuff in your pics has been left untouched.
Fortunately, the claim on the mine is still active and the location is remote enough to keep most of the yahoos away. However, I am seeing more and more bullet holes and things jacked up.
 
:ROFLMAO:

Fortunately, the claim on the mine is still active and the location is remote enough to keep most of the yahoos away. However, I am seeing more and more bullet holes and things jacked up.
I never understood what made people think it was fun to shoot up random shit or burn down I'll historic places like that.
 
I need to move closer to you lol

Looks like a fun trip, thanks for sharing!

I get anger issues when I go to a place from the past and see that's is been destroyed and not by natural occurrence.
 
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