The tractor cut the ore hauling time in half, but still could not keep the smelter in enough ore to be profitable. By 1873 breakdowns in the Los Angeles freighting routes caused a huge pile of silver bullion being stuck at Owens Valley shipping centers, resulting in temporary shutdown of the local smelters. Trade with the Cerro Gordo district is what brought initial prosperity to the town of Los Angeles. The control operator’s house has been restored, and is a pleasant spot for modern backcountry travelers to pause for a picnic and ponder over the construction of the great salt tramway in the early 1900’s. From Mapcarta, the free map. A narrative written in 2008 by a person calling himself Dusty Road provides an excellent description of the construction and history of the Saline Valley Salt Tramway . The Summit Control Station and Power House can be seen at the top of Daisy Canyon northwest of Cerro Gordo ghost town. Please clean up after your pet. The cost of ... Swansea-Cerro Gordo Road on the crest of the Inyo Mountains after sunset (8:00 p.m.). gcse.type = 'text/javascript'; In 1914 a 5.6-mile, a gravity-powered tramway was built from Cerro Gordo to Keeler. Sat, Oct 20, 2018, 9:00 AM: For those that missed the June trip, we're headed back to Cerro Gordo in October (and the crowd goes wild)! Silver was roasted and formed into bullion, sent down the Yellow Grade road by mule team, then shipped across Owen’s Lake by steamboat. Tramway Ramp Remains No.1 - Infrared Exposure- Cerro Gordo, CA - 2012 | Photo: Osceola Refetoff Cerro Gordo can easily be filled with wanton regret of all those who lived and worked here. Shipping 1,000 tons of ore daily, Cerro Gordo became the largest producer of zinc carbonates in the entire United States. Season: All year, depending on weather and road conditions. Your access to Cerro Gordo Mines, Cerro Gordo Ghost Town site and surrounding areas, whether participating in an organized or unorganized event or just exploring, whether authorized or unauthorized, constitutes your agreement to all of the terms and conditions of our Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement. gcse.src = 'https://cse.google.com/cse.js?cx=' + cx; By December of 1868, silver shipments from Cerro Gordo began reaching Los Angeles. Businessman, Victor Beaudry of nearby Independence, California, was so impressed by the quality of silver being taken out of Cerro Gordo, he opened a store near the mine and soon acquired several mining claims to settle unpaid debts. Now as to what happened to him is a bit sketchy for me. In early 1880, a new attempt at working the Cerro Gordo mines was underway. Can I dig rocks or hunt for artifacts? Several attempts were made at locating new ore bodies in the Union mine but none were successful. 8500’, so many people can suffer slight altitude sickness. Privacy. It was hoped the arrival of the railroad would signal a return to prosperity in the Cerro Gordo district, but those hopes were never realized. What is the road like coming from Keeler? Cerro Gordo, California 2 commodity had to be hauled up the grade from artesian wells in the valley. The particular details of the discovery are obscure, but it is thought that the first discoveries of silver ore were made by Mexican miners in 1865. For further information about rates, group discounts or private events, please call us at 760.689.2443. The American Hotel was built in 1871 and it still stands today. While modern materials will help us minimize this in the future, we are here now, and we still have a lot to be thankful for. gcse.async = true; A 5.6-mile, gravity-powered Leschen and Sons wire-rope aerial tramway replaced the initial Montgomery tram and moved 20 tons of zinc ore daily to the railroad at Keeler. By the end of 1869, over 340 tons of silver bullion had been shipped from the Cerro Gordo mines to Los Angeles. Just as the mines were running out, another silver discovery was made in 1925. In 1908, an aerial tramway was built between Cerro Gordo and the smelters at Keeler, improving the volume and efficiency of transporting ore. Cerro Gordo was once again an active mining town. Adding to your cart. In 1877 the Union Mine buildings burned to the ground. A more lethal blow was dealt by falling lead and silver prices, effectively ending this era of activity at Cerro Gordo. A walking tour of Cerro Gordo highlights our rich mining history and lets you step back in time. Cerro Gordo is a well preserved town with a great history and an awesome visit spot. Admission is payable by check or cash with our Caretaker the day you arrive. There is also an Assay Office, Hoist House (1877) and more. A smelter was built at Keeler and a steam tractor was used to haul ore down the mountain. © 2017 Cerro Gordo Mines | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |, Owens Valley History talking about Cerro Gordo. Mount Whitney and the Sierras are across the valley, looking over Lake Owens, and provide breath-taking views. Numerous stone foundations indicate the extensive size of the mining operation. In 1872 the steamboat “Molly Stevens” was put into service to transport goods from Swansea on the northern end of Owens Lake, to Cartago on the southern end, removing over 40 miles of difficult road from the wagon route to Los Angeles. This matter was finally settled in January, 1876 when the Union Consolidated Mining Company of Cerro Gordo was created and preparations made to return to full-scale production. In 1906 there was again interest in reviving the Cerro Gordo mines. Cerro Gordo The ghost town of Cerro Gordo was the main destination on our MeetUp Camp & Ride in June 2018. Cerro Gordo is an abandoned mining town in central Inyo County. By 1907 high-grade zinc was found in the old Cerro Gordo stopes, and ore shipments were begun. He then built two modern smelters and continued acquiring mining rights from debtors until he soon owned a majority of the richest and most productive mines in the area, which eventually included a partial interest in the Union Mine. The town was the silver thread to Los Angeles, being partially responsible for its growth and economic development. The road to Cerro Gordo is a hard one for man and car. Ore Buckets From the Aerial Tramway. Name * First. By 1920, about ten men were still employed by the Cerro Gordo mines company and silver-lead ore was being shipped. Tour interest * Email * Comment * Submit. Tours are available by reservation and can be guided or self-guided. You gain a mile in elevation from bottom to top, so it’s steep. No. Several attempts were made at restarting the Union mine in the 1890s, but depressed silver prices during this decade thwarted the efforts every time. At its peak over 1,000 people lived here working in mines as the San Felipe and Union. However, an early group was attacked by Indians and three of the five prospectors were killed. Belshaw’s first challenge was linking Cerro Gordo, situated high on Buena Vista Peak at an elevation of 8,500 feet, with Owens Valley far below. In 1907 a second smelter was built. We also advise to bring trash bags as there are no services or supplies available. A few years later, in 1924, silver-lead ore on the old dumps was still being worked. Mining Town Archive | Small scale mining persisted for many months and despite the clear abundance of rich ore, widespread attention escaped the remote district for some time. The financiers were impressed, and Belshaw left San Francisco as a third owner of the newly formed Union Mining Company, with enough capital to begin construction of a smelter to process the Cerro Gordo ores. Home About Living here Visiting Members Contact Tours Interested in living at Cerro Gordo? The original discovery of rich veins of silver was made by a man named Pablo Flores who began mining and smelting operations near the summit of Buena Vista Peak in 1865. Cerro Gordo Road is just short of 8 miles long and fairly steep in places. I've read conflicting accounts (feel free to correct me). 9am-4pm standard time, 9am-5pm daylight savings time. Do not leave pets unattended or in vehicles; heat kills quickly, and pets are especially vulnerable to predators if left alone. Belshaw operated his road as a toll road, and many disputes would occur during the next decade over his control of the only road to the booming camp. Background. When state mineralogist W. A. Goodyear visited Cerro Gordo in July of that year, he reported “At the present time, there is altogether perhaps thirty or forty men around the site of the old town, getting their living the best they can.”. It can be mild in the summer, but very cold and snowy in the winter. Yes, but please keep them on a leash for their safety, as well as the safety of other guests and their pets. It consists of a number of wooden buildings, the most imposing of which is the two-story American Hotel, once the center of town. San Felipe old productive mines Fort Independence was established and the mines were out! Years later, in 1924, silver-lead ore was being shipped a jacket and warm.. An immediate rush to the town alone, the four Metals Company acquired the great Western and. 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