This was clever.
And I liked this, too.
A year or two ago, we were driving up Brown Mountain and found the ruins of an old mine camp. We went back to the site again this Fall. There are several old buildings around, and some of the old equipment. You can also see the entrance to the mine set back in the hillside. There is a large pile of debris where the mill used to be.
We have since found that the mine is the Silver Mountain Mine. Here are the folks looking at some of the equipment, including an air compressor and its motor.
Here are couple of the cabins for the miners.
And while you cannot see it, that is the mine entrance there on the left at the end of the pipeline.
In trying to find more about the Silver Mountain Mine, I did find some details about Ironton, the mining town down at the bottom of Brown Mountain down below this mine. Originally called Copper Glen, Ironton was first settled in 1883 as a supply point for the mines in the Red Mountain Mining District. The town became one of the largest in the district, with an 1890 population in excess of 300 and a variety of businesses such as hotels, saloons, restaurants and several mercantiles. The Silverton Railroad reached Ironton in 1889 and a depot was constructed at a cost of $2,500. Over the years, several fires damaged the town, which was in decline by the turn of the last century, largely because of the silver crash of 1893. By 1910 the population was down to 48 people. The last inhabitants, Harry and Milton Larson worked and lived in Ironton starting in the 1920s. Harry died in the 1940's, but Milton continued to live alone in the town of Ironton until his death in the mid-1960s.
I also found this map of the Red Mountain Mining District in 1891. However, I cannot find this mine on the map. I also found the following on the National Bureau of Mines Facebook page. "The Silver Mountain Mine was originally known as the Kentucky Giant, or the Concave Tunnel. This historic mine is located just off the Million Dollar Highway above Ouray, Colorado. The old mining clamp still stands and includes: a blacksmith/assay shop, a miners bunkhouse, possible mine foreman's quarters and an additional workshop. Out in front of the mine, thick old rail runs across the tailings, the type usually reserved for 2-4 ton ore cars. The mine is reported to have first been worked in 1859. The mine was sold for $100 to a partnership of 3 prospectors who immediately began driving a drift into the hill on a body of ore that would likely be called Telluride today. The buildings appear to have been maintained until the 1970s."
To help us look at the map above for Silver Mountain Mine, I found this topo map showing that mine is just to the right of Gray Copper Gulch.
Photoshopping yourself into celebrity photos has to be a fun pastime. Today, we see Selena Gomez.
You have probably noticed that I like images where people have (purposely or not) misinterpreted signs. This is a clever one.
No news came through yesterday about the job I am trying for, but that's OK. It is still early in the week, so I will follow up today.
You know that I appreciate your reading this blog. I'll have more to say and share next time. Have a Tremendous Tuesday.
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