Oregon Mining History

01/12/2025

On this day (January 12th) in Oregon Mining History, the following was reported:

1899 - “Frank McGregor is on Pleasant Creek, Jackson County, where he intends to spend some time prospecting. … We learn that Mr. Wardle of Browntown is now operating his Frank Houston Mine with a full force of men. Mrs. Wardle, who has always been accustomed to New York City life seems to be enjoying herself, while the snow surrounds her mountain habitation to the depths of seven feet. The city has its charms and refinement, but the snow capped and solitary mountains have attractions that the city cannot give, and it is these that Mrs. Wardle is now enjoying. …. John Hicklu and wife, Tom Hicklu and A. Prenzlauer of Michigan arrived this Wednesday morning and are stopping at the Josephine (Mine). The gentleman are dredger people and they are in in Southern Oregon to take a look at the mountain streams with the view of operating in this line. They expect to go out into the Illinois River section in a few days to see what they may find. We can say to them that the streams are full of gold, so to speak, and if they have a good system of extraction, dollars can be made”. - Rogue River courier., Grants Pass, Oregon, January 12, 1899, Page 3

1917 - “Contract Let for Quarrying Sugar Company Lime – C.W. Courtney to Produce 2,000 tons Annually for Next Five Years – The Utah-Idaho Sugar Company has entered into a contract with C.W. Courtney, of this city, for the quarrying of 2000 tons or more, of limestone from the company quarry on Williams Creek, each year for the next five years. The contract is based upon the minimum of 2000 tons, but as much more is to be provided as the needs of the company demand. The Williams Creek Quarry is one purchased by the sugar company and is 18 miles from the factory. It is located about one half mile from the road down Williams Creek, and the company has been building a private road to connect with the county highway. The quarry is to be equipped by Mr. Courtney with air compressor, power drill, and other modern machinery. To transport the limestone from the quarry to the sugar factory, the Utah-Idaho people have entered into contract with Portland parties to run a line of trucks during the summer season. The limestone deposit on Williams Creek purchased by the sugar company has 115,000 tons of the finest grade of rock in sight which of 98 per cent purity. It is white, being nearly of the texture marble, and is unmixed with shale or other foreign substance. That used from this quarry at the factory during the past sugar making campaign proved perfect for that purpose, while that received from quarries elsewhere was too full of impurities to serve in the process of sugar-making.” - Rogue River courier., Grants Pass, Oregon, January 12, 1917, DAILY EDITION, Page 1

Photo of the day – Sugar Factory at Grants Pass, Oregon in 1917. Built it 1916, this large sugar beet processing factory was erected on what is now Parkdale Drive. 5000 acres of land with good irrigation were needed to supply sugar beets to the factory, but the necessary land and irrigation could not be obtained, resulting in the entire operation being dismantled and sent to Washington in 1918. A historical marker marking its location was erected outside of Fruitdale Grange on the corner of Parkdale and Highway 99, utilizing a few remnant bricks from the factory. Foundations of the original factory still exist under the parking lot and Grange Hall which was built twelve years after the factory was dismantled.

01/12/2025

Oregon mining historian Kerby Jackson introduces us to a classic work on Oregon's mining history in this important re-issue of Bulletin 14C 2B, otherwise known as the Jackson County, Oregon Metal Mines Handbook. Unavailable since 1943, this important publication was originally compiled by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries includes detailed descriptions, histories and the geology of over 450 metallic mineral mines and prospects in Jackson County, Oregon. Included are such famous gold mining areas as Gold Hill, Jacksonville, Sterling and the Upper Applegate.

Oregon mining historian Kerby Jackson introduces us to a classic work on Oregon's mining history in this important re-issue of Bulletin 14C 2B, otherwise known as the Jackson County, Oregon Metal Mines Handbook. Unavailable since 1943, this important publication was originally compiled by the Ore...

01/11/2025

On this day (January 11th) in Oregon Mining History, the following was reported:

1862 - “Joseph G. Spear, while engaged in mining in Allen Gulch, near Waldo, Josephine County, on the 6th, was killed by being caught under a cave of earth. He was buried by the Masonic Fraternity, being a respected member of Western Star Lodge, of Kerbyville”. - Oregon sentinel., Jacksonville, Oregon, January 11, 1862, Page 3

1900 - “Mining Transfers – Harry and W.T. Cope to Jesse Cope, placer mining property in Yank District, with other consideration …. $1. H.M. Meyers and C. Kensler to D. I. Browning, ½ interest in “Black King” quartz mine, on Bear Gulch, Coyote Creek Mining District, with other consideration … $1”. - Rogue River courier., Grants Pass, Oregon, January 11, 1900, Page 2 “Cope Mining Property Sold - The Cope hydraulic mine at Galice was purchased last week by the Big Yank Mining and Milling Company, the transfer taking place on Friday. This property was owned by Jessie Cope and Sons, formerly of Santa Cruz, California. It consists of 180 acres of mining ground, well equipped with ditches, giants, pipe and flumes, and lies along the river below the Rocky Gulch Mine. It has a possible pressure of 900 feet, and a good dump into the Rogue River. In addition to its value as mining property, it is especially desirable to the Big Yank Company on account of its water and timber supply, and desirable building sites. The price paid was $15,000”. - Rogue River courier., Grants Pass, Oregon, January 11, 1900, Page 3

Photo of the day: Miners gather at the Barlow Store (now Galice Community Hall) at Galice, Oregon in 1903

01/11/2025

Oregon mining historian Kerby Jackson introduces us to a classic work on Oregon's mining history in this important re-issue of Bulletin 14C, otherwise known as the Josephine County, Oregon Metal Mines Handbook. Unavailable since 1952, this important publication was originally compiled by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries includes detailed descriptions, histories and the geology of over 500 metallic mineral mines and prospects in Josephine County, Oregon.

Oregon mining historian Kerby Jackson introduces us to a classic work on Oregon's mining history in this important re-issue of Bulletin 14C, otherwise known as the Josephine County, Oregon Metal Mines Handbook. Unavailable since 1952, this important publication was originally compiled by the Oreg...

01/11/2025

On this day (January 10th) in Oregon Mining History, the following was reported:

1911- “Review of Year's Work in the Bohemia Mines – The Mining World of Chicago, under date of December 31, publishes a review of what had been accomplished in the Bohemia camp during the past year, saying by way of introduction that the district was opened as a free gold camp, yielding in places ore of exceptional value. It is now passing into sulphide ores of lead, copper and gold, with some silver, as fully explained by Mr. Warner in The Leader of last week. After mentioning the change in the West Coast properties, the article is as follows: The Combination Company has built a wagon road to its property and the development in the mine is showing some good ore that contains high values in silver, so that this coming year the company will be ready for reduction works. The Riverside people have been building a wagon road toward their mine, in addition to doing other work. The Mayflower Company has put in a 5 stamp mill with a cyanide plant in connection. At this writing it is in operation night and day, the power being furnished by water on the claims. The Dewey, nearby, is drifting on a strong lead. The Grizzly has opened up a shoot of ore on the surface 200 feet long, showing in the vein, 10 to 12 feet of ore carrying copper, lead and gold. As soon as the present crosscut of about 50 feet is completed it will be in sulphide ores 200 feet under the surface. This will be 2000 lower than some top veins in the camp. The Sunset has opened up a vein 2 to 4 feet wide of free milling gold ores and in drifting has passed into sulphide ores of good grade with exceptional assays that carry lead, copper and gold. The Green Rock, which is nearby, has opened up by crosscuts a very promising vein of sulphide ore with values that will put it in the shipping list soon. The North Fairview has this season, opened two drifts in 2 to 6 feet of sulphide ores, containing gold, lead and copper, also two new discoveries of extremely fine free milling ores on the surface. The Sailor Gulch has put in a Niessen Mill this season, which is in operation on a free vein that has produced some fine specimens. The President Group has a strong lead 6 feet and upward of lead, copper and gold ore. On this vein a tunnel is being driven nearly 200 feet lower down. The Sweepstakes has put up and in operation a 2 stamp mill that is giving good returns in gold from the vein and dump of former work. It is also drifting on the vein, 150 feet lower down, in good ore. On another vein, sulphide ore 6 to 8 feet wide of lead, copper and gold has been opened up. The Syndicate is drifting on a deep level in a strong vein of sulphide ores that would make a good concentration proposition with plenty of water at hand. The Baltimore is drifting on the 300 foot level, and is showing a fine grade in sulphide ore carrying gold, lead and copper. The Edwards claim is at the intersection of two veins showing a large body of sulphide ore, said to carry good values. The Ophir, after several years of assessment work in free ores, is now into the sulphide zone with a good body of ore in sight. The Good Friday is drifting in a strong vein in the sulphide zone with lead, copper, gold and some silver. The Cripple Creek Group has a good showing of sulphide ore in a vein 4 to 6 feet wide”. - Cottage Grove leader., Cottage Grove, Oregon, January 10, 1911, Page 1

1914 - “Mining has received a new stimulus in the Gold Hill Mining District within the past season and the outlook in this respect is brighter than ever before. The old reliable Braden Mine, no longer under lease, but operated by its owners, the Ray Company, is materially increasing its output. New tunnels are being driven and shafts sunk on this property, and much excellent ore being made available, and it is a safe assertion that the well known mine will shortly eclipse its own splendid records of the past. At the Nellie Wright, in the Blackwell Hill District, a modern mill of twenty five tons daily capacity was recently completed and equipped, and the returns fully justify the development of the property, which is yielding excellent values. Sardine Creek mines have been good producers during the past year, notably the Lucky Bart, which has produced a quarter million and still produces excellent paying ore, with ocassional surprise pockets of rock that run from $40 to $60 per ton. The Bill Nye, famed as one of the best producers among the properties of the Galls Creek District, is now being overhauled for continued operation, after an idleness of several years. New buildings have been erected, new uquipment added and the mine resumed operation last week. Among mining men, the operation of a new type of dredge to recover gold from the rich bar at Dowden Falls, three miles above the city, is awaited with interest”. - Gold Hill news., Gold Hill, Oregon, January 10, 1914, Page 1

Photo of the day - Tramway under construction at the Champion Mine at Bohemia

01/11/2025

Mining historian Kerby Jackson introduces us to a classic mining work in this important re-issue of the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries publication “Dredging of Farm Land In Oregon”. Originally published in 1939, this important publication on Oregon Mining has not been available for nearly seventy five years. Included are extremely rare insights into the history and day to day operations of the dragline and bucketline gold dredges that once worked the placer gold fields of South West and North East Oregon in decades gone by. Also included are details into the areas that were worked by gold dredges in Josephine, Jackson, Baker and Grant counties, as well as the economic factors that impacted this mining method. This volume also offers a unique look into the values of river bottom land in relation to both farming and mining, in how farm lands were mined, re-soiled and reclamated after the dredges worked them. Featured are hard to find maps of the gold dredge fields, as well as rare photographs from a bygone era.

Mining historian Kerby Jackson introduces us to a classic mining work in this important re-issue of the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries publication “Dredging of Farm Land In Oregon”. Originally published in 1939, this important publication on Oregon Mining has not been availa...

01/04/2025

On this day (January 4th) in Oregon Mining History, the following was reported:

1905 - “The claim jumper will be abroad in the land tonight. There promises to be something doing when midnight comes and graveyards yawn. One or two surreptitious expeditions have planned to start for the hills about noon – armed to the teeth and prepared to jump or be jumped on. The only active and viable sign of preparation so far has been the purchases by half a dozen mining men of snow-shoes, quart bottles, location blanks and guns. It is rumored that an expedition has been formed to the North Pole Mine. Tom Gray has his eyes on the Columbia and Tony Mohr is expected to disappear in the direction of the Bonanza. It is a fact worthy of note that each year there is less claim jumping in the Sumpter District. Various causes explain this phenomenon. In the first place, nearly every operator in this camp does his annual assessment work. In the second place, a broad feeling of liberality – a desire to give every miner a show for his white ally – actuates the mining population of this region. In the third place, claim jumping is a recreation dangerous alike to life and limb. Fourthly, the weather is usually anything but salubrious on December 31st at midnight. Few men care to make a snow shoe journey to some windswept peak top, where the mercury flirts outrageously with the figures below zero. Last year there was very little claim jumping. It is true that an armed body of men marched up to a fraction adjoining the Columbia and met another armed body of men coming from another direction. There was no clash, except verbally, but the case is now pending in the courts. Advices from out Greenhorn may say that the jumper will have but little to do this year. Proofs of labor have already been filed by owners of almost every located claim in that section. As a usual thing, on the eve of a New Year, the sale by newspaper offices and stationers of blank location notices is very heavy. The publisher of the Miner recalls that two years ago today he sold fully a hundred location blanks. A year ago business in this line had dropped to two dozen. This year, during the week, the total number of location blanks sold by this office would not buy the printer chewing gum. All of which is indicative of the fact that claim owners in the Sumpter camp consider their undeveloped holdings of sufficient value to impel them to do legal assessment work as a precaution against jumpers.” - The Sumpter miner., Sumpter, Oregon, January 04, 1905, Page 5

1912 - “Committee Plans to Have an Exhibit Far Superior to Any Yet Displayed in Southern Oregon – Will Awaken Interest – 6000 Feet of Floor Space Devoted To It – The committee in charge of the mineral exhibit which will be displayed here during the convention of the Southern Oregon and Northern California Mining Congress on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2nd and 3rd, have undertaken and will make it far superior to anything of its kind ever held in the State of Oregon. It is their desire that no district in Southern Oregon or Northern California fail to be represented. The exhibit will have a far reaching effect in stimulating the mining interests of those portions of those two states. …. A novel souvenir of the Congress will be prospector's pick made of wood in the shape of a walking stick or cane. The whole of the pick proper will be covered in gold leaf while the handle or stick will be painted black and highly varnished. At first glance one would naturally suppose that it was a beautiful gold headed cane, but upon closer inspection it will be found to be a prospecting pick. Across the gold head the word 'Medford' will be beautifully painted. … The Blue Ledge District is the first to send in an exhibit consisting of over 2000 pounds of copper ores. Another very large exhibit will be from the Tolo clay beds. This will show of the evolution of the raw material to the high class of manufactured products. … Several manufacturers of mining machinery will come to the front with their latest improvements in their respective lines. It is anticipated that the display of gold nuggets this year will put others in the shade, as the committee has been assured that there will be a very large display from all over the country”. - Medford mail tribune., Medford, Oregon, January 04, 1912, Page 1

Photo of the day - Gold nuggets found by the Hillsboror Mining Company, 1903.

01/04/2025

Oregon mining historian Kerby Jackson introduces us to a classic mining work in this important re-issue of the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries publication “Geology and Mineralization of the Morning Mine and Adjacent Region in Grant County, Oregon”. Originally published in 1948, this important publication on Oregon Mining has not been available for over sixty five years. In this publication are rare insights into the mines of the famous Greenhorn Mining District of Grant County, Oregon, especially the famous Morning Mine. Also included are details on the Tempest, Tiger, Bi-Metallic, Windsor, Psyche, Big Johnny, Snow Creek, Banzette and Paramount Mines, as well as prospects in the vicinities in the famous mining areas of Mormon Basin, Vinegar Basin and Desolation Creek. Included are hard to find mine maps and dozens of rare photographs from the bygone era of Grant County's rich mining history.

Available at Amazon for $9.99

Mining historian Kerby Jackson introduces us to a classic mining work in this important re-issue of the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries publication “Geology and Mineralization of the Morning Mine and Adjacent Region in Grant County, Oregon”. Originally published in 1948, this...

01/03/2025

On this day (January 3rd) in Oregon Mining History, the following was reported:

1900 - “William Wackford, a miner forty two years of age, employed at the Columbia Mine, was taken sick with appendicitis Christmas Day and died New Year's Day. The body was brought to Case's undertaking parlors and the funeral services held here yesterday, conducted by Rev. Mr. Shannon, the body being interred in the Sumpter Cemetery”. - The Sumpter miner., Sumpeter, Oregon, January 03, 1900, Page 10. “Another mine has been added to the list of those which can be cited to prove the claim that there has never been a failure to find good pay rock where they have gone down deep. The Bunker Hill had had an excellent surface showing, the outcroppings standing in places forty feet high, but the values were low. Had the property not been so favorably situated, it would have required much nerve and little judgment to spend large sums of money in development work, considering the unfavorable assays. But it is known to be upon the same ledge as the North Pole, E&E, Columbia and Golconda on the northeast, with the now no less famous Ibex to the southwest, and on that true fissure vein, where values have invariably increased with depth, it was correctly thought that success was merely a matter of intelligent and sufficient development; and on the basis of calculation the work was inaugurated. The ledge was tapped December 8th, when the crosscut had been driven 300 feet through country rock, at which point the vein is 25 feet in width. Since then they have been drifting on the ledge, and up to Decemember 31st had gone 100 feet. Indiscriminate assays of ore from here run from six to twenty two dollars in gold – and that's pay rock!”. - The Sumpter miner., Sumpter, Oregon, January 03, 1900, Page 1

1910 - “Renewed activity all along the line – that tells the story of what is happening right now in the Gold Hill mining district, says the News. Work has recommenced on many mines recently, and reports from all are of the brightest. Both gold and silver ore of excellent quality have been taken from the Blossom Mine on Sardine Creek, managed by G.L. Haff, the past two months of work. A drift about 60 feet is the result of the operations, there has been no waste material taken out, and the lode still shows good. Rock so rich that when broken it hung together as if soldered has been taken from the Grey Eagle during the past week. All the ore taken out in the operations this fall has been pay stuff, with occasionally some that is very rich, as in this instance. Work has progressed rapidly on the new ten stamp mill of late, and it is now nearing completion. The Rogue River Mine, two miles north of Gold Hill, sometimes known as the Cheney Mine from the fact of its being owned by D.H. Cheney of Galice, has recently been re-opened by W.R. Oxley, who has bonded it as a purchaser. The Ray Mine, nearby and on the same lode, from which considerable gold has been taken by its former owners, Cox & Lyman, and also by its present owners, the E. Ray family, is included in the operations. Eleven hundred feet of tunnel already exists in the Rogue River Mine, and three hundred feet in the Ray. Much fine specimen gold has been taken from both properties, some of it in the form of the free milling telluride, but it is understood that the new operators propose to work the low grade grade ores of which there is an abundance, as well. Joe Kester of Galice, is doing assessment work at his Bunkum Mine on Foots Creek, which he considers a very promising property. In speaking of of the mining prospects around Galice, Mr. Kester said that he believed that it was only a question of time, perhaps a short time, when that district would become one of the leading mining districts of the country. 'Why, look at the history of Cripple Creek. That camp was a failure for years, and noone thought much until a lower stratum was penetrated. We all know the rest. We are taking out the identical ore at Galice, at the Oriole Mine, for instance, that was found at Cripple Creek – Mohawk ore – and the samples assayed have shown gold in quantities from two to three hundred dollars per ton. It is the same with the Gold Hill District. The gold is here to a certainty, and when we go after it, we get it.' The Revenue Mine on Galls Creek, eight miles from Gold Hill, a comparatively recent discovery, is now being worked.” - Medford mail tribune., Medford, Oregon, January 03, 1910, Page 5

Photo of the day: 970 ounces of gold taken from the Sylvanite Mine, aka. Cox-Lyman Mine, Rogue River Mine, at Gold Hill, Oregon in 1930.

01/03/2025

Mining historian Kerby Jackson introduces us to a classic mining work in this important re-issue of the Us Department of Interior publication “Beach Placers of the Oregon Coast”. Originally published in 1934, this important publication on Oregon Mining has not been available for over 80 years. Included in this volume are rare insights into the beach gold deposits of the State of Oregon, including their locations, occurance, composition and geology. Of particular interest is information on placer platinum in Oregon's rich beach deposits. Also included are the locations and other information on some famous Oregon beach mines, including the Pioneer, Eagle, Chickamin, Iowa and beach placer mines north of the mouth of the Rogue River.

Available from Amazon at $8.99

Mining historian Kerby Jackson introduces us to a classic mining work in this important re-issue of the Us Department of Interior publication “Beach Placers of the Oregon Coast”. Originally published in 1934, this important publication on Oregon Mining has not been available for over 80 years. I...

01/02/2025

On this day (January 2nd) in Oregon Mining History, the following was reported:

1880 - “R.M. Garrett brought to Jacksonville, one day recently, a nugget of gold mixed with quartz worth about $106. It was taken from the claim of John Meldrum on the Carberry Fork of the Applegate.” - Ashland Tidings, Ashland, Oregon, January 02, 1880, Page 3

1889 - “Some 42 miles south of Pendleton, at the headwaters of Butter Creek, there exists a small section of country altogether different in its formation from that in and around Pendleton. Within a region perhaps eight miles square the volcanic formation ceases, and we find an original condition of the soil and its contents, sandstone, soapstone, slate-blue clay, and last, but not least, coal of a superior quality. Up to a recent date, but little was accomplished in the way of prospecting. Some few prospectors, confident that the black diamond was present somewhere in large quantities, scratched around on the surface with picks and shovels, now and then striking a small outcropping or blossom, but there the effort ceased. It was enough, however, to lead more substantial and determined men to thinking. So, on the 17th day of August, the Umatilla Coal Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $30,000. Sam P. Sturgis, John Gagen, W.D. Fletcher and William Roesch being its originators. Previous to its organization, private individuals had found a paying vein of coal and followed it into the mountains some 126 feet. The company was organized to prospect for a second vein in the same locality, and operations were at once commenced. A drill hole was sunk, and at a depth of thirty one feet a second vein, fifty one inches in width was struck. Encouraged by their success, more extensive work was determined upon by the stock holders, and at the present day, a working shaft 9x6 feet, and now fifteen feet deep, is being excavated by a force of men for the purpose of tapping the second vein and taking out coal. The tunnel is also being excavated, and coal taken out of its end from a vein ranging from three to five feet in thickness, is of excellent burning quality, and superior to that now laid down in Pendleton at $12 per ton. It was pronounced at the Mechanic's Fair to be the best coal on exhibition”. - East Oregonian : E.O., Pendleton, Oregon, January 02, 1889, Page 10

1903 - “Telephone messages from Superintendant James Sears, of the LeRoy Mining Company, gives the information that work at that camp is progressing in a very satisfactory manner and that recent developments have proved more satisfactory than was even dreamed of when the crosscut tunnel was started. This tunnel is now 100 hundred feet in length and the footwall has not yet been reached. The crosscut is near the intersection of several large ledges and the entire distance is through ore, 26 feet of which is said to be similar in composition to the high grade ore that has been shipped from the Helena during the past summer. The crosscut tunnel is three hundred feet in from the mouth of the tunnel and has a vertical depth of over 100 feet which will be greatly increased as the tunnel progresses, owing to the great inclination of the mountain”. - Bohemia nugget., Cottage Grove, Oregon, January 02, 1903, Page 2

1915 - “J.H. Beeman shipped a 15 ton car of sulphides to a Tacoma smelter the first of the week. Three tons of the consignment were from the Bill Nye Mine on Galls Creek, and the remainder from Mr. Beeman's Lucky Bart on Sardine Creek. Part of the shipment is said to be very rich in values, and the general average should make a splendid return”. - Gold Hill news., Gold Hill, Oregon, January 02, 1915, Page 3

01/02/2025

Leading Oregon mining historian Kerby Jackson introduces us to six classic small mining publications on the Gold Mining Industry in Southern Oregon. This book consists of a compilation of USGS J.S. Diller's “Mines of the Riddles Quadrangle”, “The Rogue River Valley Coal Fields” and “Mineral Resources of the Grants Pass Quadrangle”, the Grants Pass Commercial Club's rare publication “Mining in Josephine County, Oregon” and the USGS publication “The Distribution of Placer Gold in the Sixes River, South West Oregon”. Also included is F.W. Libbey's legendary article on the Southern Oregon Mining Industry, “Lest We Forget”, which appeared in the publication of the Oregon State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries in the early 1960's. This compilation offers a unique perspective on mining in South West Oregon and includes considerable information on mines in Josephine, Jackson and Coos Counties.

Available from Amazon at $14.99

Leading mining historian Kerby Jackson introduces us to six classic small mining publications on the Gold Mining Industry in Southern Oregon. This small book consists of a compilation of USGS J.S. Diller's “Mines of the Riddles Quadrangle”, “The Rogue River Valley Coal Fields” and “Mineral...