The arrival of bucket-line dredging brought a spike in gold production throughout the Oregon goldfields. The first use of these massive machines often began in the late 1800s, but they were used well into the 20th century. The large volume of gravel that they were able to process allowed them to work ground that was […]
Ghost Towns
There are hundreds of old mining towns that are now just ghost towns, long ago abandoned after the richest minerals were extracted. These historic places can be fascinating to explore today.
Mackay, Idaho and the White Knob Mining Company
The quiet town of Mackay in the valley of the White Knob Mountains has a rich history. This history dates back to the late-1880s when the White Knob Mountains emerged as a popular mining area. Mining activities started shortly after the discovery of copper in 1879. For a short period, Cliff City and the White […]
Hydraulic Gold Mines of Dutch Flat, California
Dutch Flat is considered one of California’s richest historic gold mining sites. For a time, this mine in Placer County was bustling with activity. The ground was heavily claimed and worked extensively for decades. The site is now very popular, sitting right alongside Interstate 80 on the pass between Sacramento and Reno. When gold was […]
The Rich History of Mining in Metaline Falls, Washington
The town of Metaline Falls, a pale shadow of its former self is situated in Pend Oreille County. This active town of just 250 residents once stood as the trading center for mines that produced silver, gold, lead, and zinc. The availability of minerals and easy access to the miners prompted the settlers to name […]
Digging for Gold at the Libby Creek Recreational Prospecting Area
Libby Creek in Montana is one of the best places in Montana to prospect gold. It’s also one of the few publicly accessible sites where a casual prospector can spend the day panning in an area known to have gold. Historically, Libby Creek was not the richest gold mining sites in the state. There was […]
Ferry County, WA | Gold Mining in Republic
The city of Republic in Washington State was founded by gold prospectors over 110 years ago. Although it is known for its proud mining history, it also has a strong logging history and many recreational activities. Republic is a beautiful open wilderness tucked along the valley between Wauconda and Sherman Passes, just at the intersection […]
The Rich History & Gold Mines of Nevada City, California
The Sierra Nevada Mountains were abuzz with miners following the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill. The exceptionally rich gold deposits found in the creeks and rivers around Sutter’s Mill and Coloma attracted thousands and thousands of men. It wasn’t long until other exceptional gold strikes were made. One of the most important in all […]
Explore the Gold Mining History of South Dakota! (6 Places to Visit)
One of America’s most famous gold rushes was in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This region has quite an amazing history. The rough and rowdy towns of Deadwood and Lead were as dangerous as any mining town in the West. During their peaks there were thousands of men seeking to make their fortunes in […]
Explore 14 of Arizona’s Oldest Copper & Gold Mining Camps
1. Gold Basin This is a expansive area southeast of Las Vegas. Although gold has been known here since the 1870s, most of the historic mining activity occurred during the Great Depression. Nowadays, there are a few guys that come here to metal detect for isolated gold nuggets that are scattered across the […]
Gold Prospecting near Barstow, CA (The Coolgardie District)
Some of California’s earliest known gold deposits were found in the harsh desert of San Bernardino County. In fact, many are surprised to learn just how much gold was found in Southern California since the northern half of the state gets most of the attention. Yes indeed, the desolate barren desert around Barstow actually saw […]
Mining History of Crown King, Arizona
Crown King, Arizona, is a quiet town situated high among the pine trees of Bradshaw Mountains. This has become a popular tourist town that receives steady visitors, especially during the summer months. Visitors today come to beat the summer heat, but in the 19th century scores of immigrants came in search of gold. The most […]
The Historic Mining Boom of Los Cerrillos
Los Cerrillos has made its mark on American history many times over. Many of us know Los Cerrillos for its ties to late nineteenth century mining and the lure of its mineral-rich lodes. The area has a notable timeline reaching back 1,500 years, beginning with Early Aboriginal history. Archeologists have collected turquoise artifacts, centuries old, […]
Finding Gold Nuggets in the Adelaide Hills
In the mid-19th Century, rumors of gold discovery originated from several states of the commonwealth. But, the first documented gold finding took place in South Australia. In 1846, prospector J. Richards found gold near Castambul, the area later became the Victoria Mine. Soon after, reports of gold discoveries emerged from all throughout South Australia. Miners […]
The Gold Deposits of Utah’s Abajo Mountains
The Abajo Mountains was the source of one some scattered gold occurrences in Southern Utah. Placers were worked on several drainages on the southern flanks draining off the mountain. Some small lode mines were also worked for a short time. Johnson Creek and Recapture Creek come together near the town of Blanding. Recapture Creek continues […]
18 Gold Mining Towns on California’s Highway 49
California was without a doubt the most famous gold rush in the entire world. And in California, there was no richer area than the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. At current prices, there were literally trillions of dollars mined from this rich region of Northern California. Today, some of the most historic and iconic […]