Preserving Our Mining Heritage: The California Desert

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Preserving our Mining Heritage: The California Desert

Originally prepared for theBureau of Land Management

Desert Planning stafffor their study

of the

California Desert Conservation Area

Copyright 1980by

Russell D. Hartill

First Edition, First Printing

Reprinted and Copyright renewed 2006

Published byMiners of HSSTORY, Inc.


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Introduction

This document was originally prepared for the Desert Planning Staff

of the Bureau of Land Management to aid them in their study of theCalifornia Desert Conservation Area It briefly discusses theimportant topic of mining history as it relates to the California desert.Suggestions are given as to how to go about interpreting that history'and a list of the outstanding mining sites throughout the desert isincluded. Finally, judgments are made as to each site's relativeimportance, research potential, and suitability for becoming ashowcase of mining history.

Miners of HSSTORY has reproduced this document in an effort toencourage meaningful dialogue between historians, miners, andadministrators. Our desire is to promote the creative and dynamicinterpretation of mining history. We solicit your feedback to thisbooklet and welcome your own ideas concerning the study andpresentation of mining history. Welcome to the living West !

Russ HartillDecember l , l980

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PRESERVING OUR MINING HERITAGE

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iiTable of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Preserving our Mining Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Specific Recommendations . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Possible Showcase Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Outstanding Mining Sites in the California Desert . . . . 6Sites Listed by Chronology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Sites Listed by County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l l

Judging significance in Mining Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l2Ranking of Sites According to Public Significance . . . . . . . l3Research Potential of Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Site Rank According to Legal Significance . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....

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PRESERVING OUR MINING HERITAGE

The need for preserving and interpreting the history of mining in the

California desert is great. There is a serious lack of representationwithin the National Park System of sites and districts with miningthemes. (There are none.) In spite of the important role miningplayed in the development of the American West, one has to lookhard to find a public place in the West where the story of mining isvividly told, although many private individuals and groups aredoing a commendable job.

At the same time, there is a great deal of public interest in this

subject. In the California desert, what is left of mining sites is hardlyenough to provide the desert visitor with a clear idea of what it wasreally like and what went on. In many cases where buildings andstructures at a site are preserved (and in all cases where they are not)dynamic interpretive programs are needed and in some instancesreconstructions will be required in order to adequately present thestory of mining. A marvelous opportunity exists here for ''living''history demonstrations, where the public can experience history.

If the public had a place or places to go where they would be able tosee and feel history through meaningful experiences at visitor centers

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or demonstration areas, vandalism and relic hunting would bereduced. Relic hunting is nothing more than an attempt to have apiece of history of your own. Having a place to go that allowed one tosee and feel these relics or reproductions in use (and even be

involved in prospecting, mining and milling activities) would serveto educate the public, preserve history and encourage conservation ofhistoric resources.

In conjunction with experiences and demonstrations, it is necessaryto provide the visitor with the opportunity to take a piece of historyhome with him in the form of creative and dynamic booklets, books,cassette sound ''tours,'' reproductions of relics, photographs, postersand ephemera, etc. This concept, historical marketing, assumes that it

is a healthy and common desire of the public to want to feel and hefthistory, and get closer to it, rather than coldly and statically look athistory through the glare of a glass case. The story of mining in theCalifornia desert is colorful, romantic, and stirs the imagination ofevery desert visitor. The preservation and interpretation of thissubject should be designed to bring the story to life for the visitor.

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SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

What follows is a list of the more important mining camps and siteswithin the California desert. The list is arranged alphabetically and itis by no means all-inclusive. A survey, however, of all these historicmining structures and sites is badly needed. Any outstandingbuildings, millsites, or ruins should be recorded as a part of either theHABS (Historic American Buildings Survey) or the HAER (HistoricAmerican Engineering Record). Some of the survey could be

accomplished using already existing aerial photography. Thisphotography shows structures not listed on maps and structureswhich were present at the time the photograph was taken but whichare no longer standing. Video tape recorders and photogrammetricrecording of buildings are some other techniques which may be used.Field surveys should attempt to record and document the presentcondition of each site, photograph and map the location andcondition of any foundations, trash dumps, abandoned machinery,headframes, etc.

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From the data obtained in these field surveys, several sites should bechosen and developed as living history areas where prospecting,

mining and milling techniques could be showcased for the public.Oral history and historical archaeology methods should then be usedto extensively research and ''flesh out'' the history of the showcasedareas for incorporation into the interpretive programs. Sites selectedfor showcasing should have museums, underground tours (similarto, but more extensive than, the ones conducted in the Tropico Mineat Rosamond) combined with experiential demonstrations of miningand milling techniques. These should include searching for float, theprospector's camp, filing a claim, sinking a shaft, ore-crushing, etc.

In selecting such sites, primary considerations would be accessibilityand interpretive value (those sites with a high public significancerating). For example, six sites that could be considered to meet thiscriteria would be the Anthony mill ruins, Cerro Gordo andRandsburg in the Bakersfield BLM District, and Providence (BonanzaKing Mine), Amargosa (Salt Spring) and Tumco in the Riverside BLMDistrict. The historical interpretation of Randsburg, because of the

sizeable number of privately owned structures meriting attention,probably could not and should not be undertaken by the BLM alone.However, a cooperative effort with federal, state, and private fundingcould make this possible, and Randsburg has exceptional interpretivevalue because of its central location, its accessibility, its relativelywell-preserved state, and its historical importance.

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Besides the selection of a few sites for showcasing, abandoned minesor camps that have exceptional interpretive value but are lessaccessible, or are of smaller regional impact, should be considered for

less extensive, perhaps self-guided interpretive programs. Therecould be dozens of these sites scattered throughout the desert, withknowledgeable caretakers provided to guard against vandalismand provide information for visitors.

Relations with present claimholders/owners

Whether the sites are showcased or less extensively developed, thepresent claimholders/owners of mining property adjacent to historic

sites should be approached and involved in all phases ofmanagement decisions affecting the site. Whenever possible, owners,private organizations, and local or regional historical groups shouldfirst be encouraged to develop and implement their own interpretiveprograms and protection measures for nearby sites with historicvalue, in full cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management.Where such interest does not exist for a given site of importance, andthe site in question is endangered, support for the protection andinterpretation of that area should then be sought at the county, state,

or federal level.

Townsites

As most of the historic sites worthy of interpretation/preservationare old townsites, steps should be first taken to determine whetherthey were ever patented, and then public and private agencies shouldfirst attempt to preserve and interpret these sites while inviting thesurrounding claimholders/owners of important historic miningproperties to voluntarily become a part of an interpretive programwith the town. Then, depending on the resources of the agency,abandoned millsites and land deeded to the state for unpaid taxescould be obtained for interpretative purposes and perhaps evenoutright purchase/donation of additional historic property wouldoccur once the successful interpretation of the town was under way.

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History and Mining-Partners in Preservation

Where a historic mining camp is situated near a valuable mineral

deposit, the camp should be interpreted while still allowing mining.New mining operations could help maintain existing buildings ratherthan degrade them. Since at present the BLM has difficulty protectingmost historic sites found on the public domain' a mining companyWith employees or a watchman on site is a deterrent to vandals.Many camps currently are protected by watchmen, since ownersobviously dont want valuable equipment stolen. As these ownersfeel they have a mineral property worth developing, history andmining can exist side by side. Since the site is honoring the history ofmining, mining operations at or near the historical sites would beentirely appropriate, and would lend a sense of realism to the area.

On those sites not selected for interpretation, owners and miningcompanies should be encouraged to develop interpretive programsand/or protective measures for historic structures and areas undertheir ownership, and ideally should advise the BLM beforeconducting any operations that may seriously endanger the historical

integrity of a site so that salvage archaeological digs could beperformed Companies and owners should cooperate with historicalsocieties in jointly conducting an historical archaeological survey andinventory of historical values on or within their property. This can beachieved by pointing out that such actions would be good publicrelations for the owners, claimholders and companies involved.

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POSSIBLE SHOWCASE AREAS

AMARGOSA (SALT SPRING) GOLD MINE (South of Dumont SandDunes, San Bernardino County)

Gold l85OsSite of first gold production in northern desert (1850).

ANTHONY MILL(Inyo County)

Obscure mine may have been worked in the 187Os.

BONANZA KING MINE (Providence Mountains, San BernardinoCounty) Well preserved town; beginnings date to l88Os when themine was in operation.

CERRO GORDO (Inyo Mountains, Inyo county)Silver-lead, zinc 1865-1880

California's largest silver-lead mine, and responsible for much of

the growth and development of Los Angeles. The townsite is well-preserved, lending itself well toward interpretive programming.

RANDSBURG (YELLOW ASTER) (Rand Mountains, Kern County)Gold1895-l918

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The 14th largest producing gold mine in all of California; thelargest in the California desert.

RANDSBURG (ATOLIA) (Rand Mountains, Kern and SanBernardino counties)Tungsten 1904-1945

The largest high-grade scheelite deposit in the world.

RANDSBURG (RED MOUNTAIN) (RedMountain, San BernardinoCounty) Silver l919-1929

One of the few California desert mines to flourish in the 192Os,the California Rand Silver mine produced over thirteen milliondollars. Its discovery gave Randsburg its third boom--over threedecades of steady mineral production.

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TUMCO (Cargo Muchacho Mountains, Imperial County)Gold 1884-1917

In l9l4 Tumco was the second largest mine in the United Statesproducing gold from low-grade ore. Tumco supported a small town

and had a one hundred stamp mill.

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OUTSTANDING MINING SITES IN THE CALIFORNIA DESERT

alphabetical listing

BEVERIDGE (Inyo Mountains, Inyo County)Gold 1877-l89O

Inyo County's biggest gold-producing district and also its mostinaccessible.

BLACK METAL MINE AND LANDING ( Whipple Mountains, SanBernardinoCounty)

Silver mine discovered in 1879. Some operations until 1890. Thislanding on the Colorado River in 188l was a thriving little miningcamp. Black Metal Landing is now a resort on Lake Havasu. DosPalmas in the 1860s was an important stop on the road to La Paz,Arizona. An important camping spot for prospectors. Home of FrankCoffee, local prospector.

BURTON'S CUSTOM MILL (Tropico Hill, Kern County)Custom mill that received ore from hundreds of miners in the

California desert during the 1930s until closure in 1956.

CALICO (Calico Mountains, San Bernardino County)Silver l88Os

Large silver producer, presently a county park.

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COPPER WORLD MINE/VALLEY WELLS SMELTER (South ofClark Mountain, San Bernardino County)Copper l868, l898-l918

Discovered in 1868. The largest copper mine in the California

desert. Mining began in 1898 and was worked on and off until 1918.The smelter was erected in January of 1899. Mining is underway atpresent. Vast slag pile at site of smelter and occupied structures.

COSO (China Lake Naval Weapons Center, Inyo County)Gold and Silver 1860

Early attempt to establish mining in the California desert.Discovered by Dr. Darwin French's 1860 exploration party whilelooking for the Lost Gunsight Mine. Ruins possibly well preserved

due to location within Naval Weapons Center.

DALE, NEW DALE, VIRGINIA DALE (Between Dale Dry Lake andPinto Mountains, San Bernardino County)Gold 1880s-1890s

Three mining communities that started in the late l88Os. At theVirginia Dale mine ten years ago, the cyanide tanks and ore bin werewell-preserved.

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DARWIN (Darwin Hills, Inyo County)Silver-lead 1874-1883, 1916-1918, 1941-1951

Darwin was once home for fifteen hundred people during its

heyday. Three smelters worked high grade ore in the late 1870s, butDarwin's greatest contributions occurred during the war years;production over thirty-seven million dollars. Little of present-dayDarwin dates back to the 1870s.

GOLDSTONE (Due south of Goldstone Tracking station, SanBernardino County)Gold 1910, 1930s

A 1910 boom town, probably never very large. Some structures,probably built in 1930s, still stand.

GREENWATER (Black Mountains, Inyo County)Copper 1904-1907

Stock speculation in this boom camp indirectly caused the panicof 1907 and was labeled the monumental mining stock swindle ofthe century.

HART (Castle Mountains, San Bernardino County)Gold 1908-1919

Boom town of 1908-1919. No remains left.

IRON CHIEF/EAGLE MOUNTAIN (Eagle Mountains, RiversideCounty)Gold l900s, Iron l940-

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Was an important producer of gold at the turn of the century. Inthe late1940s it became the center of Eagle Mountain Iron Operations,the biggest West Coast iron mine.

IVANPAH (Clark Mountains, San Bernardino County)Silver 1870-l 890

Rich silver camp that existed from 1870-l89O, which peaked about1880-1881. Reportedly no remaining structures.

JACKSON GULCH (Cargo Muchacho Mountains, Imperial County)Placer gold 1780-1781

First gold production by the Spanish in California prior to theU.S. acquisition of the area.

JOLLIVER (E1 Paso Peak, Kern County)Silver 1850s (?)

Possibly the earliest worked silver mine in Kern County. Moreresearch on this mine is needed.

KRAMER (BORON) (Boron, Kern County)Borax 1927 to date

The largest and highest grade borax deposit in the world.Discovered in 1913, but no real production until 1927, when alloperations were transferred here and new Ryan was closed.

KRAMER (Kramer Hills, San Bernardino County)Gold l 885-1899, l926.

Site of three gold rushes, 1885, 1899, 1926. No remains.

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LOOKOUT (Lookout Mountain, Inyo County)Silver-lead 1875-1880

Best preserved of the silver-lead boom towns of the 1870s.

Developed by Senator George Hearst, its charcoal kilns in WildroseCanyon are a popular attraction in Death Valley. Lookout should bepreserved and interpreted to compliment the story of the kilns.

MACEDONIA (COLUMBIA) MINE (Providence Mountains, SanBernardino County)Silver 1860s, l900s

Silver mine active in 1860s and early 1900s. Well-preserved ruinsnearby.

MIDLAND (btwn Little & Big Maria Mtns, Riverside County)Gypsum 1925-1973

A company town, 1925-1973, adjacent to operations of U.S.Gypsum Company. Peak employment of four hundred. Only a fewfoundations exist.

MOJAVE (Soledad Mountain, Middle Butte, Kern County)Gold 1933-1943

Rich discoveries in the 1930s that produced millions. The SilverQueen Mine, discovered 1933 and yielded ten million dollars. TheCactus Queen Mine, discovered 1934 and yielded four milliondollars.

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MOUNTAIN PASS MINE (South Clark Mountain, San BernardinoCounty)Rare earths 1950s to date

Mine owned by Molybdenum Corporation of America that is thelargest known deposit of rare earth minerals in the world.

NEW YORK/SAGAMORE MINE (New York Mountains, SanBernardino County)Silver 1873-l890

Reportedly the site of the first milling works in the Californiadesert, it started December 1873. Mined for silver on and off until1917.

NILAND CO2 FIELDS ( Niland, Imperial County)Carbon Dioxide 1927-1954

Carbon dioxide gas field located at the southeastern end of theSalton Sea. An important economic asset of Imperial County in the1930s. Also, Section l0, Township 15, Range 13E SBM is the site of thefirst drill hole to test the commercial potential of geothermal steam inImperial County.

ORO GRANDE (North of Victorville, San Bernardino County)Silver 1880-1892

Now site of extensive limestone mining and milling complex.Well-preserved cabins and a headframe exist on flanks of SilverMountain.

PANAMINT (Surprise Canyon, Inyo County)Silver-lead 1873-1877

A famous boom camp developed by silver senators Jones andStewart. Ruins of a twenty-stamp mill and a number of foundationsstill stand.

PICACHO (Southeastern Chocolate Mountains, Inyo County)Gold 1879-1910

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Part of the oldest mining region in the California desert, a fourhundred and fifty ton mill employed seven hundred men and waspossibly the largest cyanide plant in America. Picacho mineproduced approximately fifteen million dollars.

POTHOLES AREA (Southeastern Chocolate Mountains, ImperialCounty)

Along with Jackson Gulch, site of first gold production by theSpanish in California prior to the U.S. acquisition of the area.

PLEASANT CANYON (Pleasant Canyon, Inyo County)Gold l89O- 1940

Important gold producing area in the late 1890s to early 1900sand in the1930s. The mining camp at the Radcliffe Mine (Clair'sCamp) is well preserved. An excellent ball mill and stamp mill are.still standing. World Beater Mine is also well-preserved.

RED CLOUD MINE (Chuckwalla Mountains, Riverside County)Copper 1880, 1899-1902, 1910s

This mine may have been discovered in the 1860s. Worked inlate 1880s, 1899-1902 and prior to World War II. Extensive remains

exist of smelter that was probably never completed.

RYAN (NEW) (Greenwater Range, Inyo County)Borax 1915-1927

Low grade borax deposits developed and mined until theKramer discoveries went into production. Once served by a narrow-

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gauge railroad, it has a remarkably well-preserved townsite andmines.

SALINE VALLEY (SALT) DEPOSIT (Saline Valley, Inyo County)

Salt 1911-1930sAn exceptionally pure grade of salt developed by one of the

steepest tramways in the United States. (The tramway is already onthe National Register)

STEDMAN (South of Ludlow, San Bernardino County)Gold 1902-1910, 1972-

Sizeable mining community flourished from 1902-1910. Nobuildings were standing in 1970. Mining has been under way on and

off since 1972 at the Bagdad-Chase Mine.

TECOPA (Northern Kingston Range, Inyo County)Silver 1865-1890s, 1940s-1954

Silver mines first located in 1865 that have produced over threemillion dollars. Operated later by the Anaconda Mining Company,

this district with Darwin was among the top silver-lead producers inthe state.

VANDERBILT (New York Mountains, san Bernardino County)Gold 1891-1893

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A sizeable mining community existed here for about two yearsfrom1891-1893. No remains are reported to exist. Mining has beenunder way on and off since 1968.

ZINC HILL (Between Darwin and Panamint Springs, Inyo County)zinc 1917-1920, 1941-1 944

The major zinc producer in California during 1917-1 920.

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SITES BY COUNTY

Imperial Riverside SanBernardino

Kern Inyo

Tumco Eagle Mtn Red Mtn Randsburg Cerro GordPotholes Midland Atolia Tropico Beveridge

Jackson Gulch Red Cloud Bonanza King Boron CosoPicacho Black Metal Amargosa Jolliver DarwinNiland CO2 Dale, New Dale Calico Mojave Anthony M

Hart GreenwaterIvanpah LookoutKramer PanamintMacedonia Pleasant CyMtn Pass Saline ValleNew York TecopaOro Grande RyanStedmanVanderbilt

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Judging significance in mining sites.

Determining significance is the process by which cultural resource

specialists make subjective value judgments in the most objectiveway possible. Different types of significances exist in mining history.There is public significance of a site, or how important the site is forinterpretive programming, and in educating the public; researchsignificance, or the site's importance in yielding data that wouldincrease our knowledge of mining history; and legal significance,which is used to determine whether or not the site qualifies forinclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

In determining the legal significance of a mining site or area, wesuggest that the following points be considered:

1. Production figures or the richness of ore.

2. Mining- milling processes used, including any outstandingadaptations, uniqueness.

3. Personalities. To what extent did owners achieve notoriety or

prominence through their mining activities?

4. Pioneering. How far reaching was the mine in influencing thefirst water, transportation, or commerce into the area?

5. Promotion. Extent of capitalization. If stock was issued, onwhich exchange?

6. Uniqueness. Firsts of their kind, outstanding examples ofarchitecture, outstanding degrees of preservation.

Some quantitative data exists in mining that makes significance alittle less difficult to calculate. For example, production amountscould be used as a gauge for sites hoping to qualify for regional,

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statewide, or national significance. Care should be used so as not toexclude an obviously important site, i.e. Greenwater, simplybecause its production figure was low. Population figures, whetherthe town supported a newspaper or railroad, etc. would also help

determine the extent of the site's influence and importance.

Representativeness as significance.

Quantitative analysis of sites should not be the only means ofdetermining significance. The degree of preservation of a site and itsrepresentativeness of an historical period or periods are importantgauges of significance. A site's socio-cultural impact on thesurrounding region and the way in which it interfaced with other

communities and supply centers may qualify the site as significant. Ifa site is highly representative of one or more historical periods, thistoo should merit strongly in its favor. Thus small mining operationscould be considered on an equal par with larger ones. As thefollowing sites have only been rated quantitatively, a great deal ofwork remains in the determination of each site's overall significanceto the history of mining. These are only offered here as a startingpoint, recognizing that much more work needs to be done.

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SITE RANK ACCORDING T0 LEGAL SIGNIFICANCE

Legal significance is the relative importance of the site (local, regional, statewide, or national). It is also agauge of the potential National Register significance.

Using each of the six points (production, mining and millingprocesses, personalities, pioneering, promotion and uniqueness) thesites were rated on a 1 to 5 scale. The average of all six areas is thelegal significance rating. On a l to 5 scale, 1 represents an area of localsignificance only. A rating of 2 through 3 represents a site of regionalsignificance. A rating of 3 through 4 represents a site of possiblestatewide significance. A rating of 4 through 5 represents sites ofpossible national significance.

Site Ranking Site Ranking

Cerro Gordo 4.3 Amargosa 3.0

Tumco 4.25 Anthony Mill 3.0Bonanza King 4.0 Atolia 3.0Lookout 4.0 Red Mountain 3.0

Macedonia 4.0 Dale 3.0New York 4.0 Eagle Mountain 3.0

Oro Grande 4.0 Jolliver 3.0Panamint 4.0 Boron 3.0Saline Valley 4.0 Mountain Pass 3.0Stedman 4.0 Niland CO2 3.0

Greenwater 3.7 Vanderbilt 3.0Yellow Aster 3.7 Radcliffe 2.7Coso 3.7 Mojave 2.7

Tropico 3.5 Beveridge 2.3Copper World 3.5 Kramer 2.0

Ivanpah 3.5 Black Metal 1.0Darwin 3.4 Goldstone 1.0

Picacho 3.3 Hart 1.0Ryan 3.1 Midland 1.0Tecopa 3.1 Red Cloud 1.0

Zinc Hill 3

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An Invitation to Join the Miners of HSSTORY

Mining-the word conjures up images of weathered woodenheadframes silhouetted against an azure blue desert sky; grizzly oldprospectors with burros; the sparkle of gold in a pan; dusty milltailings and rusting machinery; gold, gloryholes, and ghost towns. Tosome, mining is a picturesque past, while to others it is a meagerlivelihood, and to a few it holds a promising future-maybe. Whatevermining is to you or me, it can safely be said that it is rich in history.The subfield of western history know as the mining west has growntremendously in the past forty years. From a dozen well-written

books by 1940 to a figure well over 100 in 1980, mining history hasbegun to take its rightful place in the field of American historicalwriting. Forty years ago, mining history was dominated by onesubject: the California Gold Rush of 1849. Since then, there has been anoticeable shift away from the study of the romantic gold rushes ofthe 1850s and 1860s. Attention is being concentrated on laterdevelopments, and twentieth century mining is even beingconsidered as a subject for historical scholarship. An understandingof the implications and consequences of past public policy concerning

the mining industry will help us better plan for the future and avoidrepeating our past mistakes.

Twentieth century mining is a topic that needs careful study,especially in today's insecure energy and strategic minerals world.

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techniques used? What was the business of mining like and how wasit conducted? How was capital raised and invested? How did thetowns develop economically and how and why did they die? And thepeople--what were they like? Why did they have such incurable

optimism and what made them so willing to take chances? Thoseabandoned mines-why were they abandoned? Will there be a futurefor them? More research into this fascinating topic is needed, researchthat explores the relationships and interplay among man, society, andthe minerals extraction industry.

Living History: An Introduction

Research, however, is not enough. An exciting subject should bedynamically presented. As a tool to help people better understandmining, demonstrations could allow the public to see how thingswere done. Like what it was like to look for and follow float to anoutcrop; examining an outcrop; filing a claim; eating a prospector'sbreakfast; performing an assay; sinking a shaft; using an airdrill;

seeing the vein at depth; drilling, breaking, and mucking the ore tothe surface; crushing it and running ore through a mill; pouring thegold bar; and obtaining a genuine feel for life in a mining camp.Reenactments should also be offered to reenact significant events inthe history of the mining west, and could be commissioned tocommemorate anniversaries and could be held by themselves or in

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conjunction with a package tour or convention/fair. They could bevideotaped for media airing.

Demonstration and reenactments should be researched by scholars

and the dialogue should be as historically accurate as possible.Costumes and artifacts would be originals or authenticreproductions. These living history tours and experiences could lastfrom a few hours to a day, weekend, or all summer long-dependingon the wishes and schedule of the visitor or agency. Students ofAmerican history, geography, geology, and scouting groups wouldespecially benefit from this multidisciplinary learning experience.Photographers, vacationers, desert users, youngsters, everyonewould find this living museum an interesting and exciting

experience. Such experiences, demonstrations, and reenactmentswould awaken the senses and give the visitor a historical perspectiveno book could ever provide.

Historical Marketing

In addition to the experiences and demonstrations, I believe it isnecessary to provide the public an opportunity to take a piece ofhistory home with them in the form of creative and dynamicbooklets, books, microfilm, cassette sound "tours," reproductions of

relics, samples, photographs, posters, videotapes, ephemera, etc. It isa common and healthy desire of the public to want to feel and hefthistory rather than look at it through a glass case. The visitor to ahistorical site should be encouraged to make history a part of his life.Historical marketing products and ideas can allow a visitor to do this.Reproductions of museum display pieces, relics, maps, photographs,

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scholarly historical volumes, and other products should be designedto make history come alive at affordable prices.

Through research, oral history, historical archaeology, living history

and historical marketing the romance, dynamism and importance ofmining can be captured, magnified, and disseminated to the public.The preceding concepts can be used by anyone, from individuals,companies, organizations, to governments in presenting the story ofmining to any audience. Failure to utilize these methods will result inthe loss of a valuable heritage to a generation whose awareness ofand appreciation for mining is already nearly extinct.The author welcomes and encourages all who dare and dream to becalled mining enthusiasts and/or mining historians. He specifically

requests comments, suggestions, and questions to begin discussionand implementation of any of the concepts mentioned. If enoughinterest is generated, a non-profit association of miners, prospectors,mining historians, etc. could be launched to help furtherinstitutionalize these concepts and advance the crusade for theirimplementation.

Russ HartillMiners of HSSTORY140 W 9000 S Suite 1Sandy, UT 84070(801) 561-4797

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Preserving Our Mining Heritage: The California Desert

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Transcript of Preserving Our Mining Heritage: The California Desert