Introduction
An abandoned settlement consisting of several building foundations and a mining site with placer gold deposits near the town of Elko, Nevada were recently discovered. An archaeological investigation of this site was conducted in order to determine the age of this site, and to look for clues as to why this site was abandoned. In order to do this, archaeologists completed multiple surveys as well as an excavation of the mining site. Great care was taken to preserve the site as well as the surrounding environment which is why only a singular excavation took place at this site. The survey of the abandoned settlement unveiled domestic artifacts that suggested the last time the site had been inhabited was in the early twentieth century, from the late 1920s to the early 1930s. The survey and excavation of the mining site suggested that the mining occurred sometime in the late 1800s and had ended in the early 1900s. Due to the relative dating of these findings, the time of abandonment of this settlement looks to correlate with the Great Depression and its negative impact on the economy of Nevada and the Nevadan mining industry1.
Background
Despite its notorious reputation for sex and gambling, Nevada actually has a long and less sordid history of being a mining state. Before 1859, the state had been sparsely populated by small mining camps and trading outposts as people migrated through Nevada on their way to the west coast1. In 1859, a rich silver deposit, otherwise known as the Comstock Lode was discovered in the state2. This caused an influx of people and a sudden outcropping of settlements, towns, and cities such as Virginia City. Partly due to the sudden rise in population, Nevada became a territory in 1861 and a stat...
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..."Description and History of Elko." The Nevada Travel Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. .
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8. Hartman, Howard L., and Jan M. Mutmansky. "Introduction to Mining." Introduction to Mining Engineering. 2nd ed. N.p.: Wiley, 2002. 1-22. Print.
The Making of a Hardrock Miner written by Stephen M. Voynick, describes his own personal experiences as a hardrock miner in four different underground mines in the western United States, the Climax molybdenum mine in Colorado, Hecla Lakeshore Project a copper mine in Arizona, and two uranium mines in Wyoming. Rather than a book telling of the fortunes gained and lost, this book was about the relationships gained, but then also lost through mining. Stephen M. Voynick’s direct words and simple writing style provided a book that was an easy read and educational about mine work and safety.
In 1855, miners discovered Gold in the Colville mines of northeastern Washington Territory. Newspapers such as the Oregonian began running daily advertisements to attract miners into the region. Exciting articles with bold titles of “Colville Gold Mines” exclaimed that, “with a common pan we made $6, $8, $10, and as high as $20 per man!” This news created an influx of white settlement to Washington. Territorial Governor, Isaac I. Stevens encouraged the settlement and proposed to consolidate fourteen tribes w...
These two passages “There’s Still Gold in These Hills” and “Letter From a Gold Miner” help the reader understand the history and process of gold mining in the US. Both passages give detailed information, specific instructions, and an interesting background about gold mining. These passages use different strategies to help the reader perceive the history and process. These strategies may include using specific dates of when the gold rush took place, information to help the reader picture the setting of where to find gold, and also teaches the process step by step.
As part of his campaign for Governor, Dwight Green had promised to enforce mining laws. In 1941 Governor Green appointed Robert Medill as Director of the Department of Mines and Minerals. The Mining Board makes the p...
The tar creek mining site originally was owned by a Native American tribe, the Quapaw. The Quapaw wanted to keep these lands, but the Bureau of Indian Affairs deemed members opposing a transaction to mining companies “incompetent” (1). In such a case the business could continue and the Bureau of Indian Affairs sold the lands to mining companies. In essence these lands were stolen from the Quapaw because they were ripe for mining. These mines were then used from approximately 1891 to 1970. In the 79 years the mines were open 1.7 million metric tons (~3.75 billion pounds) of lead and 8.8 million metric tons (~19.4 billion pounds) of zinc were withdrawn from the mine (2). The entire area around Tar Creek is known as the tri-state mining area. This tri-state area was a massive source of metals. This area accounted for 35% of the all worldwide metal for a decade. It also provided the majority of metals the United States used in World wars I and II (3).
All throughout Colorado there has been many developments and expansions. One of these developments is the railroad system. Railroads were and still are such an essential means of transportation for people as well for industries involving coal and fuel, and many other things. There are many key players and developers that took part in revitalizing Colorado in the 1870s. Some of these key players that contributed to the territory’s growth were William A.H. Loveland, Edward L. Berthoud, Henry M. Teller, and William Jackson Palmer.
“Smith, John L.” Las Vegas Review Journal. 7 Feb. 1999. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. .
A mere quarter-century later, virtually all this country had been carved into states and territories. Miners had ranged over the whole of the mountain country, tunneling into the earth, establishing little communities in Nevada, Montana and Colorado. Cattle ranchers, taking advantage of the enormous grasslands, had laid claim to the huge expanse stretching from Texas to the upper Missouri River. Sheepherders had found their way...
California was becoming known for its entrepreneurial opportunities; soon many were coming to California, not to work in the mining filed, rather to set up business and cater to the mining communities. Soon there were saloons, hotels, and red light districts spread throughout San Francisco and outer mining communities. Women who were forced to rely on men to support them back home, came to California and were able to work and support themselves in these towns.
the capital, and Nevada City. By the 1870's most of the gold had been extracted. A
Smith-Baranzini, Marlene, Richard J. Orsi, and James J. Rawls. A Golden State: Mining And Economic Development In Gold Rush California. Berkeley, California: University of California Press, 1999. eBook (EBSCOhost). Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
Mining played a crucial role in the settlement of Socorro County. In the late 1860’s a man by the name of Colonel J.S. Hutchason discovered three sizeable limestone croppings near Magdalena Peak (pdf thing). Hutchason at first only worked the Juanita and Graphic claims; having a partner, Andy Kelly, work on the third claim. Kelly named the mine after himself; however, Hutchason later repossessed the claim when Kelly failed to do work to preserve it. News of Huchason’s success brought many new prospectors to the area. In 1870, Kelly, a small boom town, was created; named after the successful mine. In 1876 Huchason leased out the Juanita mine and sold both the Graphic and Kelly mines (Harris, 97).
As stated in the text for much of the early history of Nevada it was never considered as a place for settlement but instead used for quicker and easier trails to California or trapping expeditions. The Mexican-American war, the movement of the Mormons into the West, and the search for mineral wealth all indirectly ended up leading to the settlement of the territory.
Coal in the 1930’s: The First Lame Duck? European Union. 2002. Great Sutton Street, London. .
The first gold rush in Alaska took place in 1896-1899 in an area known as the Klondike. “100,000 set out. 30,000 arrived in the Klondike. Around 4,000 found gold” stated Gary l. Blackwood in his article in ‘Wild West’ magazine. The miners that arrived in the Klondike were searching for a big pay out of gold, and used old fashioned, homemade sluices. The sluices are used by the gold rich material is poured out on top and groves and metal screens catch the gold and heavier black sand. Today the Klondike region is still being mined and is still producing gold for the lucky few that find it.