1. American River This was the river that started it all. Gold was first discovered here at Sutter’s Mill, and gold was soon found all throughout the river. This was the richest river in the entire state. Between all the different forks of this river, there are literally hundreds of miles of gold-bearing […]
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.
The Platinum Mining Dredges of Good News Bay, Alaska
The mining activities have over the years influenced many regions when it comes to economic developments. Alaska is certainly no exception where mining is concerned. In fact, mining was the main driving force that helped started growth to the state. Alaska houses one of the remote areas where some mining activities take place on Earth. […]
Basin, Montana – Early Days in this Rich Gold Camp
Gold was first discovered at nearby Helena at a place called Last Chance Gulch. This proved to be one of Montana’s richest gold discoveries, and it didn’t take long for thousands of hopeful miners to flood Western Montana in search of yellow metal. The gold placers near Helena were rich, and expanded to the mountains […]
Gold & Silver Mining History in Manhattan, Nevada
Early Days in Deadwood – A Rough & Rowdy Gold Mining Town
The town of Deadwood was founded for one reason… gold. The Foundation Of Deadwood The place where Deadwood would soon be is situated in the southern part of Black Hills. It is not surprising that the place was originally inhabited by Indians long before any European settlers would come to look for gold. […]
These 6 Underground Mine Tours in California are Simply Amazing!
If you have an interest in early mining history and have always wanted to explore underground, then you are in luck in California. Several places in this state have rare opportunities to safely explore old mines that were once major gold producers. Professional guides will show you can deep underground where men once worked to […]
The Yarnell Gold Discovery in Central Arizona
If you drive up the Highway 89 from Phoenix, you’ll eventually come to a sign that says “Where a desert breeze meets the mountain air”. That is when you’ll know that you have reached the old mining town of Yarnell. The town lies on the slopes of the mountains overlooking the vast Peeples Valley. Yarnell […]
Mining in Death Valley and the Discovery of a Rich California Desert
Death Valley is a very famous place located in Southeastern California near the Nevada border. We know a dozen things it is famous for: the hottest place in the continent, a mysterious place where stones move during the night, the most deserted national park, the lowest dry point in the USA among many others. This […]
Gold in the Santa Ana Mountains of Southern California
The Cortez Gold Mine – One of Nevada’s Biggest Mining Operations
Metal Detecting for Gold near Quartzsite, Arizona
Quartzsite is a busy town during the winter. While it only has a population of about 4,000 people during the hot summer, nearly 250,000 people travel there during the winter! Most of these folks are “snowbirds” who come to enjoy the mild climate when the northern parts of the country are covered in snow. People […]
The Morenci Mine – Arizona’s Largest Open Pit Copper Mine
The Morenci Mine is located in eastern Arizona and is one of the largest copper reserves in the world. The mine is located along US Highway 191 near the small towns of Morenci and Clifton. It is about 10 miles from the southeastern edge of the San Carlos Indian Reservation. It is reported to contain […]
Rhyolite, Nevada – Historic Mining and Abandoned Ghost Town
Tuscarora Gold – A Visit to this Remote Nevada Mining Town
Tuscarora is a beautiful small town in Elko County. The town has a rich history that dates back to 1867 when gold was first discovered in the area. Although just a small town with a small population, Tuscarora was once a huge mining camp with several thousand men searching the hills for gold. There is […]
Mining History of Castle Dome, Arizona
Castle Dome was one of Yuma’s most productive mining sites, and remains a popular area for gold prospectors to explore. Located in the along the Colorado River in the Castle Dome Mountains, the town was established following the discovery of silver ore in the area, it turned out that the area was had richer in […]