See the pages about Ruby Hill Mine.
Travelogue by John Piggott
Mr. Piggott shared his photos and a story of a few of his travels in the Eureka area with us below. We think a personal touch makes the history more interesting.
My first visit to Eureka, in the spring of 2019, was an intriguing experience. Captivated by the deep history of mining and ranching in the Diamond Mountains and Diamond Valley, and because that first visit was only over a short weekend, I had the urge to return to learn more. The rich history and preserved nature of the area piqued my focused interest in 1850-1900 Nevada history. Returning in August 2019 with a determined mind to discover and learn more, I decided to spend several days and plotted a tour of mining areas, mine sites, ghost towns and historical places of interest.
The first day Scott Raine at Raine’s Market provided a general idea of what to see, and a visit to the Sentinel Museum rounded things out with the particularly intriguing original 1800s map of Treasure City and surrounding settlements in the White Pine Mining District.
I had done quite a bit of research before arriving, so my friend Jerry Estebez and I set out on our second day for a trip to the White Pine Mining District, about 50 miles southeast of Eureka. We wanted to see the ruins of Hamilton, Treasure City, Eberhardt, Shermantown and Belmont Mill, as well as the other interesting things in the Mining District.
Hamilton sprang up principally because of the rich ore found in the Treasure Hill area. It grew to become the county seat in 1869, and hosted nearly 100 saloons, almost 200 mining companies, numerous general stores, a few breweries, theaters, dance halls, a skating rink, a Miners Union Hall, and enjoyed a population of nearly 12,000 people. Few ruins remain today.
The first day Scott Raine at Raine’s Market provided a general idea of what to see, and a visit to the Sentinel Museum rounded things out with the particularly intriguing original 1800s map of Treasure City and surrounding settlements in the White Pine Mining District.
I had done quite a bit of research before arriving, so my friend Jerry Estebez and I set out on our second day for a trip to the White Pine Mining District, about 50 miles southeast of Eureka. We wanted to see the ruins of Hamilton, Treasure City, Eberhardt, Shermantown and Belmont Mill, as well as the other interesting things in the Mining District.
Hamilton sprang up principally because of the rich ore found in the Treasure Hill area. It grew to become the county seat in 1869, and hosted nearly 100 saloons, almost 200 mining companies, numerous general stores, a few breweries, theaters, dance halls, a skating rink, a Miners Union Hall, and enjoyed a population of nearly 12,000 people. Few ruins remain today.
From Hamilton we headed up Treasure Hill to Treasure City where, in 1868, 6,000 people lived in extremely harsh conditions seeking their fortune. The mountain top, at over 9,000 feet altitude, is pockmarked with over 200 pits that people dug into the solid rock of the earth seeking their reward. In only two short years, after ore values had dropped precipitously, the population declined to less than 500 in 1870. It is hard for one to imagine, with today’s modern vehicles and power equipment, how these people were able to accomplish the things they did with so little; it left me awe inspired.
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After exploring the mountaintop at Treasure City and observing the wild mustangs which abound nearby, we descended the south side of the mountain, past a beautifully and solidly built log cabin near Picotillo, for what remains of Eberhardt. The town had a mine with what has been described as fabulously rich ore, which prompted the construction of several mills; today only massive mill foundations remain.
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Picotillo cabin
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After a brief lunch break we were off again for Shermantown, a significant and bustling town in its day with 3,000 residents in 1869. Among other improvements there were mills, a smelting furnace, assay office, two sawmills, a hospital, and two law firms; only a few building ruins can now be located amongst the tall sage brush.
From Shermantown it was north to Belmont Mill, the visual crown jewel of our day. The road between Shermantown and Belmont Mill is not for the faint of heart: it is very deeply rutted, washed out in several areas, and can be traveled only with a high clearance, four-wheel-drive Jeep-type vehicle with large tires. Even then it was a difficult journey, but well worth it when we arrived at Belmont Mill, which is an amazingly intact site. There are many things to see including the Belmont Mill itself as well as the mill office, superintendent’s home, boarding house and, for the true explorer, the upper site at the mine features several buildings and a wonderful view of the still intact tram building with cables still in place and stretched tautly along the thee miles of tramway.
After leaving Belmont Mill, and heading for Highway 50, we came upon a herd of wild mustangs which was larger than any herd of wild horses I’ve ever seen; we counted over 50 animals. We stopped to air the pressure of our tires back up for the highway trip and observe the herd. For nearly an hour the horses remained in relative close to us, at only about 150 yards from where we were. When I started the air compressor pump on the Jeep, it captured the attention of about half of the mustangs; they perked their ears and started walking toward us. But then, about 100 yards away, they stopped and simply stood and observed very carefully. It was quite a nice experience and a good way to end the day.
Our third day we decided to journey about 75 miles farther south, on mostly gravel roads, to view the charcoal kilns in South Sixmile Canyon. Along the way we stopped at the blast site of a massive 1968 underground nuclear test; a place called Project Faultless - something one doesn’t see every day!
Once in South Sixmile Canyon, we found four different sites each with two or three kilns. Many of them have collapsed, but the ones still fully intact are well worth a trip to visit and view these historic monuments. The back breaking labor of the men who lived in these mountains to cut the wood and produce the charcoal for the ore smelters is something only a fertile mind can imagine.
Our final day was spent roaming and poking around sites in close to Eureka. Croesus Mine we found to be one of the more interesting sites because of the equipment still left in the building. Ruby Hill and Richmond Mine are two of the more visible sites which are very close to town and easily accessible by car.
A visit to Eureka for anyone interested in Nevada history, especially mining history, is a trip well worth taking. For me, I will return to Eureka many more times to discover and explore the vast area which is rich with interesting sites to visit and things to see and learn about.
John Piggott
A visit to Eureka for anyone interested in Nevada history, especially mining history, is a trip well worth taking. For me, I will return to Eureka many more times to discover and explore the vast area which is rich with interesting sites to visit and things to see and learn about.
John Piggott
Eureka Area Mines
Eureka Mine
Diamond Mine
The Diamond Mine is four miles southwest of Eureka, Nevada, located along the southern portion of Prospect Ridge. Historically the site has been part of the Eureka Mining District. The site was first discovered before 1874. Between 1874 and 1897 there were a reported 57800 tons of ore valued at $1,323,194 produced from the mine.
The associated camp wasn’t settled until around 1885. It served as a base of operations for a few of the local mines and had a saloon, boardinghouse, and school. The mine went into production in 1868 and was worked until 1930. A post office opened in 1893. Rich silver ore ran out in 1918 and the mine closed down. The post office and camp were abandoned shortly after.
Remnants of the snow sheds and trammers still exist.
The associated camp wasn’t settled until around 1885. It served as a base of operations for a few of the local mines and had a saloon, boardinghouse, and school. The mine went into production in 1868 and was worked until 1930. A post office opened in 1893. Rich silver ore ran out in 1918 and the mine closed down. The post office and camp were abandoned shortly after.
Remnants of the snow sheds and trammers still exist.
Photos below 2019 courtesy of John Piggott
Diamond Mine Photos below courtesy of Steel Raine 2021
Croesus Mine
The Croesus Mine was built in 1917 on earlier claims dating back to the 1870s. Using newer, more efficient, technology and methods, the company was able to make a profit from ores that had previously been unprofitable. The mine shipped 5817 tons of ore from 1917 to 1923 some at a net value of $65 per ton. However, the mine was hit hard by the silver crash of 1920. Because of the huge drop in the price of silver, the mine shut down in 1923.
The Croesus mine site is interesting today because it includes remains of the power-house and upper ore chute. The large wooden ore chute can be found near the New York Canyon road. The power-house, which nearly doubled in size after 1919, still contains the double-drum hoist and Ingersoll-Rand air compressor and other bits of mine equipment. Interesting to note the equipment was steam-powered.
The Croesus mine site is interesting today because it includes remains of the power-house and upper ore chute. The large wooden ore chute can be found near the New York Canyon road. The power-house, which nearly doubled in size after 1919, still contains the double-drum hoist and Ingersoll-Rand air compressor and other bits of mine equipment. Interesting to note the equipment was steam-powered.
Photos below 2020 courtesy of John Piggott
Eldorado Mine
This smaller mine near Eureka was worked from 1873 to 1892, producing 802 tons of ore valued at $69781. The primary product was lead, with smaller amounts of silver and gold. The mine is on the north side of Prospect Ridge.
Photos below 2019 courtesy of John Piggott
Hamilton Road Sign and Ruins
Hamilton
Discovery in the White Pine district of rich silver deposits, the ores from which were said to assay as high as $1,500 or more a ton in silver, began in 1865 and supported Hamilton and nearby towns including Eberhardt, Treasure City, and Sherman Town. Experiencing one of the most intense, but short-lived silver stampedes ever recorded, the years 1868-1869 saw some 10,000 people establish themselves in huts and caves on Treasure Hill at Mount Hamilton, at an elevation from 8,000 to 10,500 feet above sea level. At first the miners lived in area caves and the settlement was called Cave City, but when the population reached around six hundred, it was renamed for mine promoter W. H. Hamilton. The post office first opened for business on August 10, 1868. At that time, the community was part of Lander County, Nevada. White Pine County was formed in March 1869, and Hamilton became incorporated and was selected as its first county seat. By its peak during the summer of 1869, Hamilton's population was estimated at 12,000. There were said to be close to 100 saloons, several breweries, 60 general stores, and numerous other businesses. There was an Episcopal and a Roman Catholic church, a public school with two departments, a weekly newspaper, and a bank. There were also theaters, dance halls, skating rinks, a Miners’ Union Hall, and a fraternal order hall. A fine brick courthouse was constructed in 1870. Some 200 mining companies were operating in the area. Stages ran daily to Palisade to the north on the railroad and to the mining districts south of the city, and there was a tri-weekly line to the east.
Once the shallow nature of the local ore deposits became known, many of the mining companies left the area. Business was also soon plagued by litigation concerning titles, the refusal of speculators to work their claims, and by the failure of the smelting works through ignorance of the proper ore treatment. Hamilton's population and economy began a rapid decline. According to the census of 1870, the population was 3,915, less than a third of what it had been estimated at the previous summer.
On June 27, 1873, the main portion of the town was destroyed by fire. Most of the businesses did not rebuild and the town never fully recovered. By 1873 the town contained only 600 inhabitants. In January 1885, another fire destroyed the courthouse at Hamilton along with all of the records. That caused the moving of the White Pine County seat to Ely. The Hamilton post office closed in 1931.
Once the shallow nature of the local ore deposits became known, many of the mining companies left the area. Business was also soon plagued by litigation concerning titles, the refusal of speculators to work their claims, and by the failure of the smelting works through ignorance of the proper ore treatment. Hamilton's population and economy began a rapid decline. According to the census of 1870, the population was 3,915, less than a third of what it had been estimated at the previous summer.
On June 27, 1873, the main portion of the town was destroyed by fire. Most of the businesses did not rebuild and the town never fully recovered. By 1873 the town contained only 600 inhabitants. In January 1885, another fire destroyed the courthouse at Hamilton along with all of the records. That caused the moving of the White Pine County seat to Ely. The Hamilton post office closed in 1931.
Photos below 2003 courtesy of Dale Hornickel
Treasure City
In early January of 1868, the first claims on Treasure Hill were filed, including the Hidden Treasure and Eberhardt claims. The Eberhardt Mine would go on to be the richest mine in the district, operating on what was described as "one of the richest deposits of silver ever discovered."
By spring of 1868 word of the discoveries had traveled far, and thousands of miners and prospectors had set out for the White Pine region of Nevada. An estimated 25,000 to 40,000 people occupied at least five towns in the new district by 1870. The most important of these settlements were Treasure City, built among the mines at high altitude, and Hamilton, two and a half miles away, which was built in a sheltered basin and would become the economic center of the new district.
Once water supply was established to the towns, several mills sprung up around the towns. Smelting works, furnaces, and stamp mills were set up.
The riches from the Treasure Hill mines resulted in the towns of the district quickly evolving. Between 1867 and 1880, the total production from the mines of the Treasure Hill was valued at $20 million. Unfortunately by 1870 the rich surface deposits were already in declining. Treasure City's population sank to 500 that year, and by the early 1880s the town was abandoned. Treasure City had a post office from 1869 to 1880.
By spring of 1868 word of the discoveries had traveled far, and thousands of miners and prospectors had set out for the White Pine region of Nevada. An estimated 25,000 to 40,000 people occupied at least five towns in the new district by 1870. The most important of these settlements were Treasure City, built among the mines at high altitude, and Hamilton, two and a half miles away, which was built in a sheltered basin and would become the economic center of the new district.
Once water supply was established to the towns, several mills sprung up around the towns. Smelting works, furnaces, and stamp mills were set up.
The riches from the Treasure Hill mines resulted in the towns of the district quickly evolving. Between 1867 and 1880, the total production from the mines of the Treasure Hill was valued at $20 million. Unfortunately by 1870 the rich surface deposits were already in declining. Treasure City's population sank to 500 that year, and by the early 1880s the town was abandoned. Treasure City had a post office from 1869 to 1880.
Photos below 2003 courtesy of Dale Hornickel
Belmont Mine
Belmont Mine is in the Hamilton mining district of White Pine County. It should not be confused with the town of Belmont which is in Nye County, NV. The mill complex features a large main building with an aerial tram terminal at the top. Nearby are the blacksmith’s shop, assay lab, mill office, bunkhouses, cabins and other structures. The aerial cable tram was used to transport ore from the mine three miles away and almost 9000 feet up the side of Pogonip Ridge. The tram cables are still intact.
Photos below 2003 courtesy of Dale Hornickel
Hamilton area map
