Category: Resources

Colorado Mining District

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The Colorado Mining District, also known as the Eldorado (or El Dorado) Mining District and later associated with the Nelson mining area, is located in southern Clark County, Nevada, within Eldorado Canyon in the Eldorado Mountains. The canyon runs eastward from near modern Nelson (approximately 45 minutes southeast of Las Vegas along Nevada Highway 165) and drains into the Colorado River at the former site of Nelson’s Landing (now part of Lake Mohave). At the time of its founding, the district lay on the west bank of the Colorado River, about 65 miles above Fort Mohave, which marked the practical upstream limit of steamboat navigation.

Mill in Eldorado Canyon, circa 1890
Mill in Eldorado Canyon, circa 1890

The district encompasses roughly 44 square miles of rugged desert terrain with Precambrian gneiss, schist, and Miocene volcanic rocks cut by north-trending faults. Mineralization occurs primarily in quartz-calcite veins hosted in fractured quartz monzonite and volcanic rocks. The area adjoins the western edge of what is now Lake Mead National Recreation Area and was originally part of New Mexico Territory, then Arizona Territory (Mohave County), before becoming part of Nevada in 1866.

Early History/Founding

Prospecting in the canyon dates back possibly to Spanish explorers in 1775, who named the area “El Dorado” (the gilded one) after observing gold, silver, and lead deposits. Native American groups, including the Paiute and Mojave, had long used the region for turquoise extraction. Formal American-era activity began around 1857–1859 when gold and silver were noted, possibly by soldiers from Fort Mojave or local prospectors. Steamboat captain George Alonzo Johnson formally named the canyon in 1857 after observing the deposits.

El Dorado Canyon look down on Lake Mojave in Clark County Nevada
El Dorado Canyon look down on Lake Mojave in Clark County Nevada

The major rush ignited in April 1861 when Mojave Chief Irataba guided prospector John Moss to a rich silver vein. News of the strikes in what was organized as the Colorado Mining District (by 1864 also called the Eldorado Canyon District) drew a flood of miners that fall, amid the outbreak of the Civil War. By the early 1860s, several camps formed: San Juan/Upper Camp (near modern Nelson), Alturas and Louisville (near the Techatticup Mine), Colorado City (at the river landing), Lucky Jim Camp (Confederate sympathizers), and Buster Falls (Union sympathizers). The district was formally organized around 1861–1862, with over 760 lodes and 850 mining deeds recorded by 1865.

Steamboats (such as those operated by George A. Johnson) provided critical supply lines from the Gulf of California, delivering goods and coal while barging ore downstream—far cheaper than overland routes across the Mojave Desert. In 1867, the U.S. Army established Camp El Dorado at the canyon mouth to protect miners from Paiute attacks and secure river traffic; the outpost operated until 1869. Early mining was small-scale and individual, focused on high-grade surface silver chloride ores.

Economic Activities

The district’s primary commodities were gold and silver, with lesser amounts of copper, lead, and zinc. Ores occurred in fissure veins and were extracted via underground workings, with high-grade silver chloride (up to 400 ounces per ton) hand-sorted and sacked for shipment in the earliest years. Stamp mills were soon built at the river mouth to reduce transportation costs: an early mill (pre-1864, later called the Colorado Mill) was followed by the Spear Brothers’ 10-stamp New Era Mill in 1865 and Col. John R. Vineyard’s ten-stamp mill at El Dorado City in late 1863.

Key mines included the Techatticup (the district’s largest and oldest producer, opened 1862–1863), Wall Street, and the El Dorado Rand Group (incorporating the Honest Miner claim). Steamboat traffic peaked in the 1860s but continued into the early 20th century. Production was intermittent but significant; the three largest mines alone yielded over $6 million. District-wide estimates suggest total production exceeded $6–10 million in gold, silver, and base metals, with later figures (1907–1954) including at least 100,600 ounces of gold and 2.36 million ounces of silver. Peak years included the 1939–1942 period before wartime restrictions.

Civil War-era politics divided the canyon into Union and Confederate camps, but production continued despite desertions and security issues. Post-1870 revival saw deeper mining and additional mills; free-milling gold ores were worked with arrastras in the 1890s.

Decline/Abandonment

Activity fluctuated with ore grades, transportation costs, Indian conflicts, and national events. The 1860s boom waned due to the need for capital-intensive milling and protection, though a post office operated 1865–1867 (Arizona Territory) and again 1879–1907 (Nevada). Production slowed after the early 20th century but revived during favorable metal prices in the 1930s–early 1940s. U.S. Government Order WPB-L208 halted gold mining in October 1942, effectively ending large-scale operations during World War II. Some small-scale work and heap-leach activity occurred into the 1970s–1980s, but the district’s major mines closed permanently afterward. Nelson served as the later hub, with its post office operating intermittently until the mid-20th century.

Legacy/Current Status

The Colorado Mining District ranks among the earliest and richest mining areas in southern Nevada, contributing significantly to regional development and demonstrating the role of river transport in desert mining. It produced millions in precious metals across nearly a century of intermittent activity and left a legacy of colorful Wild West history, including lawlessness, Civil War divisions, and technological adaptation (steamboats and mills). Today, the canyon and associated Nelson Ghost Town are preserved as a historic site. The Techatticup Mine offers guided tours, and ruins of mills, cabins, and equipment attract hikers, photographers, and history enthusiasts. A Nevada State Historic Preservation Office marker commemorates the district. No large-scale mining occurs, though some claims remain; the area is valued for its scenic desert landscape and cultural heritage within the broader Lake Mead region.

Seal of Clark County Nevada

Buster Falls, Nevada – Clark County Ghost Town

Seal of Clark County Nevada Buster Falls is a historic ghost town and former mining camp located in El Dorado Canyon (also spelled Eldorado Canyon)…
Seal of Clark County Nevada

Colorado City, Nevada

Colorado City was a short-lived 19th-century mining camp and steamboat landing in what is now Clark County, Nevada. Situated at the mouth of El Dorado…
Seal of Clark County Nevada

Louisville Nevada

Seal of Clark County Nevada Louisville was a short-lived mining camp and ghost town site in El Dorado Canyon (also spelled Eldorado Canyon) within the…
Seal of Clark County Nevada

Lucky Jim Camp, Nevada

Seal of Clark County Nevada Lucky Jim Camp, sometimes referred to as Lucky Camp, was a short-lived mining camp and ghost town site in Clark…

Nelson Nevada and Eldorado Canyon – Clark County Ghost Town

Nelson, Nevada, is a small unincorporated community in Clark County, located in the rugged hills of El Dorado Canyon about 45 minutes south of Las…

Sources/References

  • Nevada State Historic Preservation Office: Eldorado Canyon historical marker.
  • Nevada Historical Society Quarterly (Spring 1968): “Early Development of El Dorado Canyon and Searchlight Mining Districts” by John M. Townley.
  • U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 91-323 (1991): Mineral resources of the El Dorado and Ireteba Peaks Wilderness Study Areas (production and geology summary).
  • Additional context from Mindat.org, Western Mining History, and Nevada Bureau of Mines records.

Baldwin Lake-Bear Valley Mining District

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The Baldwin Lake-Bear Valley Mining District (also referred to as the Baldwin Lake District or encompassing parts of the broader Bear Valley area) is located in the northern San Bernardino Mountains of San Bernardino County, California, east of Baldwin Lake and in the vicinity of Big Bear Valley and Holcomb Valley. This high-elevation region (around 6,700–7,000 feet) saw episodic gold mining activity, primarily from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century, with some intermittent prospecting later.

The remains of Gold Mountain Mine, "Lucky Baldwin Mine" overlook the townsite of Doble and Baldwin Lake.
The remains of Gold Mountain Mine, “Lucky Baldwin Mine” overlook the townsite of Doble and Baldwin Lake.

Geology

The district features a complex geologic setting typical of the San Bernardino Mountains, including metamorphic rocks such as mica schist, quartzite, and limestone, intruded by granite. Ore deposits primarily consist of irregular quartz-calcite veins hosting free gold, along with scheelite (tungsten mineral) and various sulfides (e.g., pyrite and others). Gold occurs in lode (vein) systems, with some associated placer deposits in alluvium from erosion of these veins. The area lacks a major “mother lode” but has numerous small to medium quartz veins and stringers, often fault-controlled. The region’s rugged terrain, with colluvial and alluvial processes, has influenced deposit exposure and mining challenges.

History and Significant Developments

Gold mining in the broader San Bernardino Mountains dates to reports of placer activity by Mexican miners possibly as early as the 1800s (or 1850s in some accounts), but the district’s main activity began around 1860. The nearby Holcomb Valley gold rush (triggered by William F. “Grizzly Bill” Holcomb’s 1860 discovery) drew prospectors to the region, leading to boom towns, violence, and short-lived placer operations. The Baldwin Lake area saw lode quartz mining emerge later.

The Rose Mine was active by 1860, marking early lode efforts. Activity increased in the 1870s with quartz vein discoveries. In 1873, Elias Jackson “Lucky” Baldwin—a wealthy investor known for prior mining successes elsewhere—purchased claims (including what became the Gold Mountain Mine, originally Carters Quartz Hill) for around $30,000. He formed the Gold Mountain Mining Company, shifting toward larger-scale quartz operations.

The area transitioned from individual placer prospecting to company-driven lode mining. Towns like Doble (also called Bairdstown) boomed briefly in the 1870s–1890s near the mines, supporting miners with stores, saloons, and mills. Belleville (in nearby Holcomb Valley) rivaled San Bernardino in population during peak rushes but declined quickly.

Mining peaked in the 1890s–early 1900s, with renewed interest in the 1930s (e.g., at some properties during the Great Depression). The district never produced at the scale of major California districts, lacking rich bonanzas, and activity waned by the 1920s–1940s as high-grade ore depleted and economics shifted.

No large towns or extensive mills were permanent fixtures solely in the Baldwin Lake sub-district; support came from nearby Holcomb Valley/Big Bear settlements. Small stamp mills or arrastres processed ore locally, but details on major mills are limited.

Significant Mines

  • Gold Mountain Mine (also Baldwin Mine or Lucky Baldwin Mine): The district’s most prominent, overlooking Doble and Baldwin Lake. Operated intermittently into the 1920s (last major activity ~1923). Focused on quartz veins with free gold.
  • Rose Mine: Active 1860; one of the earliest lode operations.
  • Erwin Gold Mine: Near Big Bear City/Baldwin Lake area; historical producer.
  • Doble-area claims (e.g., Gold Mountain group): Multiple unpatented claims in the 1870s onward.
  • Others: Numerous small prospects (e.g., Gold Hill Mine, various Gold Mountain extensions); some with scheelite or polymetallic potential.

Mine Owners/Operators

  • Early prospectors: Individual miners (including Mexican placer workers pre-1860) and discoverers like the Carter brothers (filed claims in 1873).
  • Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin: Dominant figure from 1873; purchased and developed Gold Mountain claims into a company operation.
  • Later operators: Various small companies and lessees in the 1890s–1930s; no single long-term corporate dominance.

Production, Money Earned, and Tonnage

Specific district-wide totals are sparse in records, as much activity was small-scale and unreported. The broader San Bernardino Mountains gold region (including Holcomb/Bear Valleys) yielded modest placer and lode output compared to Sierra Nevada districts—likely in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars total (at historical gold prices of ~$20–$35/oz).

  • No comprehensive tonnage or value figures exist for the Baldwin Lake-Bear Valley District alone; it was not a major producer.
  • Individual mines like Gold Mountain/Baldwin had limited documented output, with operations described as modest.
  • Nearby Holcomb Valley placers were richer per square mile in Southern California but short-lived (~1860s boom).
  • Overall, the district contributed to Southern California’s minor gold output, with values far below millions; activity was intermittent and often unprofitable long-term.

Today, remnants (e.g., Gold Mountain Mine ruins) are visible along trails like the Gold Fever Trail, and the area is part of recreational and ecological reserves near Baldwin Lake. Mining claims persist (some active), but commercial production ceased decades ago.

San Francisco Chronicle newspaper of Jan. 13, 1895

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San Francisco Chronicle newspaper of Jan. 13, 1895
San Francisco Chronicle newspaper of Jan. 13, 1895

The San Francisco Chronicle article published on January 13, 1895, titled something along the lines of “A Mine in the Superstition Mountains” (or variations like “A Mine in the Superstition Mountains–The Half-told Tale of an Old Miser–Afraid to Return to the Source of His Mysterious Wealth”), played a pivotal role in popularizing and shaping the modern legend of the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine.

Written by freelance writer and prospector Pierpont C. Bicknell (often abbreviated P.C. Bicknell), this piece is widely regarded by historians and researchers of the legend as one of the earliest—if not the earliest—nationally distributed accounts that crystallized many of the core elements associated with the tale today. Jacob Waltz (the German immigrant prospector nicknamed “the Dutchman,” despite not being Dutch) had died in Phoenix in October 1891, and local Arizona newspapers had mentioned his alleged rich mine and search efforts by associates like Julia Thomas and the Petrasch brothers as early as 1892 (e.g., in the Salt River Herald). However, Bicknell’s 1895 Chronicle article elevated the story from regional rumor to broader public fascination.

Key Content and Contributions from the Article

Bicknell’s piece drew heavily from accounts circulating in Arizona, likely including details from Julia Thomas (who cared for Waltz in his final days and attempted to locate the mine). It presented the mine as a real, extraordinarily rich gold deposit hidden in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix (then in Arizona Territory). Notable elements introduced or emphasized include:

  • A description of the mine’s location tied to landmarks in the Superstitions, within a roughly 5-mile radius of Weaver’s Needle (a prominent rock formation that became iconic in later tellings).
  • References to a hidden tunnel or shaft in a gulch, concealed by bushes, with a two-room rock house or cabin in a cave (sometimes described as “caverna con casa” or rock cabin in a cave) on the opposite slope.
  • Clues about accessing the site via a gulch, with the mine featuring rich gold ledges where flakes of nearly pure gold could be picked off.
  • The narrative framed around Waltz as an “old miser” who revealed partial details on his deathbed but was too fearful or infirm to return himself.
  • Broader claims of the mine’s “fabulous wealth” and consistency of witness/testimony pointing to a specific area.

These details aligned with earlier local reports but were packaged dramatically for a wider audience, making the story more compelling and clue-oriented.

Role in the Legend’s Development

The article’s significance lies in its dissemination and influence:

  • It is often credited as the first major national exposure of the “Lost Dutchman” story, helping transform a local Arizona prospector’s tale into a widespread American legend of hidden treasure.
  • Bicknell reportedly syndicated or republished elements of his work; the piece was reprinted in outlets like the Kansas City Journal (February 17, 1895), spreading it further across the U.S.
  • It introduced or solidified motifs that later writers and treasure hunters built upon, including connections to the Peralta family (Mexican miners allegedly massacred by Waltz or others to claim the site—though some sources note this link may have been embellished by Bicknell or absent in pre-1895 accounts), deathbed revelations, hidden cabins/tunnels, and Weaver’s Needle as a key reference point.
  • Historians (such as Tom Kollenborn and others studying Superstition Mountains lore) trace much of the persistent “clue” tradition directly to Bicknell’s descriptions, which influenced later searchers like Adolph Ruth (whose 1931 death in the mountains involved directions derived from this 1895 article).

While earlier mentions existed in Arizona papers (e.g., around Julia Thomas’s 1892 search), Bicknell’s Chronicle publication is seen as the catalyst that launched the legend into enduring popularity. It arrived at a time when tales of lost mines captivated the public during the waning years of the frontier era, fueling decades of expeditions, books (like Barry Storm’s Thunder God’s Gold), films, and ongoing searches—despite no verified discovery of the mine.

In summary, the January 13, 1895, San Francisco Chronicle article did not invent the story but was instrumental in standardizing its details, providing searchable “clues,” and propelling it from obscure regional folklore to one of the most famous lost-mine legends in American history.

One of Arizona’s Lost El Dorados

A Mine in the Superstition Mountains

The Half-told Tale of an Old Miser

Afraid to Return to the Source of His Mysterious Wealth.

Phoenix (A.T.), Jan. 9–That there exists an undiscovered gold mine of fabulous wealth near a point in the Superstition Mountains not more than fifty miles from Phoenix has long been an article of faith among a number of mining men in a position to sift the mass of evidence accumulated during the past twenty years. The facts and individual statements, although emanating from widely diverse sources and furnished by persons who could have had no possible communication with one other, all agree in a remarkable manner as to the description of the mine, and, what is still more convincing, are unanimous in indicating a particular quarter of the mountains in question as the place of its location. In a gulch in the Superstition mountains, the location of which is described by certain landmarks, there is a two-room house in the mouth of a cave on the left side of the slope near the gulch. Just across gulch, about two hundred yards, is a tunnel, covered up and concealed in the bushes. Here is the mine, the richest in the world, according to Dutch Jacob. Some distance above the tunnel on the side of the mountain is a shaft or incline that is not so steep but can climb down. The shaft goes right down in the midst of a rich gold ledge, where it can be picked off in big flakes of almost pure gold

San Francisco Chronicle newspaper of Jan. 13, 1895

Bodie Mining District

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The Bodie Mining District, located in the Bodie Hills of eastern Mono County, California (near the Nevada border, about 75 miles southeast of Lake Tahoe and 12 miles east-southeast of Bridgeport), is one of the most famous gold and silver mining areas in the American West. It is preserved today as Bodie State Historic Park, a National Historic Landmark since 1961 (and state park since 1962), representing a classic “arrested decay” ghost town with over 100 remaining structures.

Map of the Bodie Mining District
Map of the Bodie Mining District

Geology

The Bodie district’s mineral deposits formed approximately 8–10 million years ago during the Miocene epoch, linked to widespread tectonic extension in the region between eastern California and western Nevada. Volcanic activity produced intermediate-composition rocks (primarily andesite and dacite flows, plugs, tuff breccias, and pyroclastic deposits from the Silver Hill Volcanic Series and related formations like the Murphy Spring Tuff Breccia and Potato Peak Formation).

Precious metals (gold and silver) were deposited by hydrothermal fluids from hot springs or volcanic conduits in epithermal vein systems. These formed fissure veins, stockworks, and brecciated zones within dacite plugs and andesitic rocks. The primary host is the large dacite plug at Bodie Bluff and Standard Hill (also called High Peak), where most production occurred. Veins are typically milky-white quartz (inches to over 20 feet wide in places like the Standard Mine), often with adularia (potassium feldspar), and contain native gold, native silver, pyrite, argentite, pyrargyrite, tetrahedrite, stephanite, and other minerals. Gold:silver ratios varied (about 1:12 by weight in the north, 1:40 in the south), with ore grades in bonanza zones reaching high values (e.g., $100–$300 per ton in early shallow workings at historical gold prices around $20/oz).

Hydrothermal alteration is zoned: propylitic (chlorite, epidote, pyrite) at margins; argillic (clays like montmorillonite, illite) and potassic (adularia, sericite, quartz) nearer veins; and silicification (hard, light-colored caps) at the top. Mineralization occurred around 7.2–8.6 million years ago over about 1.4 million years, with veins pinching out below ~500–1,000 feet depth in most areas (Fortuna vein deeper at ~600 feet).

History and Development

Gold was discovered in 1859 by prospector Waterman S. Bodey (along with Terrance Brodigan and E.S. Taylor), who found promising colors while prospecting from Monoville. Bodey perished in a winter storm, and the camp/town was named Bodie (spelling adjusted) in his honor. The Bodie Mining District organized in 1860–1861, with early placer efforts hampered by water scarcity. Initial activity was minor, with claims abandoned by 1868 along with early stamp mills.

A vintage photo of the Standard Mill in Bodie as it appeared sometime during the 1980s. Photo by Paul Wight
A vintage photo of the Standard Mill in Bodie as it appeared sometime during the 1980s. Photo by Paul Wight

The major boom began in 1876 when the Standard Company discovered a rich gold-bearing vein, transforming Bodie into a Wild West boomtown. Population exploded from a few dozen to estimates of 7,000–10,000 by 1879–1880 (though census figures suggest lower peaks). The town featured over 2,000 structures, including a mile-long main street, saloons (dozens), churches (Methodist and Catholic), schools, newspapers, a telegraph, post office, hotels, stores, breweries, and union halls. It earned a notorious reputation as a rough place.

Production peaked 1879–1881, with 1881 ore output valued at ~$3.1 million (period dollars). A narrow-gauge railroad (Bodie Railway & Lumber Company) was built in 1881 from Mono Mills (south of Mono Lake) to supply timber and cordwood. Electricity arrived early (1893). Fires (notably 1892 and 1932) damaged parts of the town, and a 1932 blaze destroyed much of the business district. Mining declined after the 1880s bonanza, shifting to lower-grade ore, tailings reworking, and intermittent operations. The last major activity ended in 1942 due to WWII restrictions. J.S. Cain consolidated many claims in the early 20th century.

Significant Mines, Owners, Towns, and Mills

  • Town: Bodie (the main boomtown and only significant one in the district; no other major towns developed, though nearby Mono Mills supported lumber supply).
  • Key Mines:
    • Standard Mine/Standard Consolidated (most productive; bonanza vein on Standard Hill; produced over $18 million in gold/silver and paid ~$5 million in dividends).
    • Syndicate, Southern Consolidated (~$1 million+ each), Bulwer (~$428,000), Bechtel Consolidated, Bodie Tunnel, Mono, Fortuna (deeper vein), Red Cloud, Oro, Concordia, Booker.
    • Over 50 mines operated at peak; ~22 in the late 1870s–1880s; >90% of production from the Standard Hill/Bodie Bluff “Bonanza zone.”
  • Owners/Companies: Early prospectors (Bodey et al.); Standard Company (key developer post-1876); later consolidations under J.S. Cain (early 1900s); others like Treadwell-Yukon (1920s–1930s evaluations), Roseklip Mines (1930s dump/tailings work).
  • Mills: Numerous stamp mills processed ore via amalgamation (e.g., Standard Gold Mill, a preserved “model California stamp mill” example). Multiple large, noisy stamp mills operated at peak.

Production, Tonnage, and Value

Estimates vary slightly by source (due to historical records and adjustments), but consensus figures for total district output (1860–1942) are:

  • Value: ~$30–$34 million in period dollars (gold and silver bullion; some sources cite up to $70 million including later estimates, but ~$34 million is most cited for mined output; equivalent to hundreds of millions today adjusted for inflation).
  • Breakdown: Primarily gold (major value contributor) with significant silver (more by weight but lower value due to prices ~$1.29/oz silver vs. ~$20/oz gold in the 1880s).
  • Tonnage and Metals: ~1.25 million tons of ore yielded ~1.5 million ounces of gold and >15 million ounces of silver (gold:silver ratio ~1:10–15 overall).
  • Peak Years: High production 1877–1881 (e.g., Standard Mine alone ~$5+ million in that period; district monthly outputs ~$400,000 in boom times).
  • Later efforts (e.g., 1930s tailings) recovered additional gold comparable to some original milling.

Bodie exemplifies the rise and fall of a classic Western mining boomtown, driven by rich epithermal deposits in a harsh, high-desert environment. Today, it remains a preserved snapshot of that era.

Owens Lake Steamships

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Today it is difficult to imagine, but at one time not so long ago, Owens Lake Steamships ferried supplies and silver ore across Owens Lake from the booming silver town of Cerro Gordo, California. Cerro Gordo was a booming silver town located at high elevations in the White Mountains above the tree line. Water and fuel are hauled up the mountain utilizing freight wagons to support the silver mines.

Cerro Gordo overlooking the then full Owens Lake.
Cerro Gordo overlooking the then full Owens Lake.

Owens Lake, nestled in the Owens Valley of California, was once a shimmering gem nestled beneath the towering Sierra Nevada mountains. Spanning over 100 square miles, it was a vital oasis for diverse wildlife and a haven for migratory birds. Its glassy surface reflected the surrounding peaks, creating a picturesque landscape beloved by locals and travelers alike. With its abundant water and fertile shores, it supported Native American communities for centuries. However, as Los Angeles began to grow in the late 19th century, demands for water led to the diversion of the Owens River, gradually desiccating Owens Lake and leaving behind a vast salt flat.

Mortimer Belshaw (1830 - 1899 )
Mortimer Belshaw (1830 – 1899 )

Cerro Gordo was a silver mining town located high in the White Mountains east of Owens Lake. The elevation of the town offered some unique challenges in terms of supplies, such as water and fuel. Infrastructure to support the mines and the community needed to be built by Mortimer Belshaw. These supplies are staged in Keeler, CA and hauled up to the town using teams of wagons and a tramway. It is a natural step to build a ferry system to facilitate the transfer of goods, services and more importantly silver bars produce at Cerro Gordo.

Owens Lake itself faced a significant transformation in the 20th century. The Los Angeles Aqueduct, completed in 1913, diverted water from the Owens River, which fed the lake, to Los Angeles. This diversion caused Owens Lake to dry up, transforming it into a largely dry lakebed with environmental and health issues due to dust storms.

Bessie Brady

1950 Painting by William McKeever of the Bessie Brady is on display at the Eastern California Museum in Independence, CA. This image probably does not resemble the actual appearance of the vessel.
1950 Painting by William McKeever of the Bessie Brady is on display at the Eastern California Museum in Independence, CA. This image probably does not resemble the actual appearance of the vessel.

The Bessie Brady made its maiden voyage on July 4, 1872. Measuring about 85 feet in length with a 19-foot beam, the vessel could carry up to 100 tons of cargo, significantly reducing the time and cost of transporting ore. The ship’s route ran from the town of Swansea, near the western shore of Owens Lake, to Cartago on the southern shore. From Cartago, the ore was transported to Los Angeles. The steamer was actually so efficient in hauling silver ore to Cartago Landing, near Olancha, Ca, that the bullion began to pile up. The teamsters who hauled the Silver Ore from Olancha to Los Angeles, simply could not keep up with the vessel.

The introduction of the Bessie Brady revolutionized transportation in the Owens Valley. It provided a more reliable and faster means of moving ore from the Cerro Gordo Mines to markets, boosting the local economy. The steamship also transported supplies and passengers, further integrating the remote mining community with the rest of California.

The success of the Bessie Brady was relatively short-lived. By the mid-1870s, the completion of the Carson and Colorado Railroad reduced the need for lake transport. The railroad provided an even more efficient means of moving goods and people, leading to a decline in the use of the steamship.

Despite its decline, the Bessie Brady continued to operate for several years, serving various purposes, including transporting salt from the lake’s evaporative salt works.

NameBessie Brady
Other Names“The Pioneer inland steamer of the Pacific Coast”
Years of OperationJune 27, 1872 – May 11, 1882
Length85 feet
Beam16 feet
Propulsion20 HP Single Cylinder Oscillating Type Steam
10 inch cylinder bore and 10 inch stroke
Propeller54 inches

Molly Stevens

The Molly Stevens was a steamboat built in the late in 1877 and launched on in May of that year by Colonel Sherman Vanderventer Stevens. It was named after Molly Stevens, in honor of his daughter Molly.. The vessel was is smaller than the Bessie Perl, but does boast of more powerful powerplant. A few days after its’ maiden voyage, the steamship is swamped in the heavy wind driven lake waters. She is raised again to the surface with the help of the Bessie Brady.

By 1878, the Molly Stevens is only making the occasional trip across the Lake and spends the majority of her time moored. In 1881, the vessels is hauling from $6,000 in bullion a week, which is produced by nearby mills. Due to lack of hauling efficiency, the Molly Stevens is again moored and eventually scrapped in the spring of 1882.

On May 11th, 1882, during a refitted of the more powerful steam plant from the Molly Stevens to the Bessie Brady a fire breaks. The fire is started spontaneously by a combination of the Oakum, oil, paint and tar. The inferno quickly takes hold and destroys the last of the steamships on Owens Lake.

The Molly Stevens and Bessie Brady played a crucial role in the economic development of the Owens Valley. By transporting ore efficiently across Owens Lake, these vessels helped boost the mining industry, which was the backbone of the local economy. The presence of the two steamships reduced the time and cost associated with overland transport, making mining operations more profitable.

Molly Stevens Characteristics

NameMolly Stevens
Years of operation1877 – 1882

The Lost Treasure of the Bessie Brady

One other incident, which is not documented, is the alleged existence of a lost treasure in Owens Lake. Allegedly, a wagon load of bullion hauled by the Bessie Brady is swept overboard during a high wind storm. The tale is told that the heavy bullion-filled wagon was not correctly chained to the deck and simply swept over the side.

The story could be from a combination of events, such as the swamping and sinking of the Molly Stevens.

Seemingly a rumor, the Lost Treasure of the Bessie Brady seems to always originate from a person who allegedly heard from someone who knew the captain.

References