Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
John Percival Jones
John Percival Jones (January 27, 1829 – November 27, 1912) was a prominent Anglo-American mining entrepreneur, capitalist, and long-serving politician whose career epitomized the intersection of Western mining booms, corporate investment, and national politics in the late 19th century. Known as one of the “Silver Senators,” Jones amassed significant wealth through silver mining in Nevada’s Comstock Lode before expanding his investments into California. His political influence as a U.S. Senator from Nevada for 30 years (1873–1903) amplified his role in promoting mining interests, free silver policies, and regional development.
Early Life and Arrival in the West
Born at “The Hay” in Herefordshire, England, Jones immigrated to the United States as an infant in 1829 with his family. He grew up in New York before heading west during the California Gold Rush. In 1849, at age 20, he arrived in California and settled in Trinity County in the northern part of the state. There, he engaged in placer mining, farming, and local affairs, serving as sheriff and justice of the peace in Weaverville. These early experiences in the Mother Lode region honed his skills in mining operations and frontier governance, though he did not achieve major wealth in California gold mining at this stage.
Rise in Nevada: The Comstock Lode and Crown Point Mine
Jones moved to Nevada in the mid-1860s amid the excitement of the Comstock Lode, the legendary silver discovery near Virginia City (then part of Utah Territory, later Nevada). In 1868, he became superintendent of the Crown Point Mine in Gold Hill, a key producer on the Comstock Lode. Under his management, the mine struck a rich ore body, propelling Jones to millionaire status and earning him the reputation as the Comstock’s first millionaire mine superintendent.
His heroism during a deadly 1869 fire on the Comstock further enhanced his stature. Jones was credited with brave actions that saved lives and property. This success, combined with his operational expertise, positioned him as a leading figure in Nevada’s mining industry. The Comstock’s deep, hardrock silver mining required substantial capital, corporate organization, and technological innovation—areas where Jones excelled as both manager and investor.
Political Career and the “Silver Senator” Era
In 1873, Jones was elected as a Republican U.S. Senator from the new state of Nevada, serving continuously until 1903—a remarkable 30-year tenure. He joined fellow mining magnate William Morris Stewart (another Comstock lawyer-turned-senator) in representing Nevada’s interests in Washington. Both became staunch advocates for free silver (bimetallism), opposing the gold standard and pushing policies favorable to Western mining states. Jones’s wealth and influence made him a powerful voice for silver producers nationwide.
Mining Investments in Nevada and California
Jones’s mining career extended beyond the Comstock. In Nevada, his Crown Point success provided the capital for further ventures. He invested in various Comstock properties and remained active as a capitalist even after entering the Senate.
His most notable California investment came in the mid-1870s with the Panamint silver district in the Panamint Range (now part of Death Valley National Park). In 1873–1874, rich silver outcrops were discovered in Surprise Canyon by prospectors (including former outlaws). Hearing of the excitement, Jones—fresh from Comstock riches—partnered with Senator Stewart to form the Panamint Mining Company. They invested heavily (reports vary from $250,000–$350,000 personally, plus millions raised from investors) to acquire controlling interests in key claims like the Wyoming and Wonder mines. They organized the district, built infrastructure (including a 20-stamp mill), and promoted the camp aggressively.
Panamint City boomed briefly to 1,500–2,000 residents in 1874–1875, becoming infamous for lawlessness (dozens of murders reported). Jones and Stewart floated stocks on the San Francisco Mining Exchange and cast bullion into heavy cubes to deter theft. However, the high-grade ore depleted quickly, and a devastating flash flood in 1876 destroyed much of the town. By 1877, operations collapsed amid a market panic, yielding little return despite massive investment. This bust highlighted the speculative risks of remote desert mining.
Jones also pursued broader California ventures tied to his mining interests. In 1874, he partnered with Colonel Robert S. Baker to develop Santa Monica as a seaside resort and potential port. He purchased a three-fourths interest in Baker’s Rancho Boca de Santa Monica ranch for $162,500 and built the Los Angeles and Independence Railroad (a narrow-gauge line from Los Angeles to Santa Monica, completed in 1875 without subsidies). Originally intended to connect to Inyo County silver mines (including Panamint) via Independence, financial strains from failing mines forced Jones to sell the railroad to Collis P. Huntington’s Southern Pacific in 1877. Santa Monica’s founding and early growth remain his most enduring California legacy.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring from the Senate in 1903, Jones lived in comfort, dividing time between Washington, D.C., New York (where he owned a hotel), San Francisco (with a Turkish bath investment), and California properties. He pursued other interests, including early water reclamation ideas linked to what became Hoover Dam. He died in Santa Monica on November 27, 1912.
John P. Jones embodied the transition from individual prospecting to corporate mining capitalism in the American West. His Comstock fortune funded ambitious but often risky ventures like Panamint, while his Senate role shaped national mining and monetary policy. Though some investments (notably Panamint) ended in disappointment, his role in founding Santa Monica and promoting Western resource development left a lasting mark on California and Nevada history.
William Morris Stewart
William Morris Stewart (August 9, 1827 – April 23, 1909), often called the “Silver Senator,” was a prominent American lawyer, politician, and mining investor whose career intertwined deeply with the mining booms of California and Nevada. Known for his aggressive legal tactics, advocacy for free silver and mining rights, and involvement in high-profile (and sometimes controversial) ventures, Stewart amassed significant wealth through prospecting, litigation, and speculation before and during his long political tenure.
Early Life and Arrival in the West
Born in Galen, near Lyons, Wayne County, New York, Stewart was the oldest son of Frederick A. and Miranda Morris Stewart. His family moved to a farm in Trumbull County, Ohio, during his childhood, but he returned to Lyons for high school. In 1848, he entered Yale University but left after three semesters to join the California Gold Rush. Traveling via the Isthmus of Panama, he arrived in San Francisco in spring 1850 and headed to the gold fields near Nevada City, California. There, he prospected successfully, discovering the famed Eureka diggings and profiting enough to sell his interests at a substantial gain. This early success funded his shift from mining to law.
Legal Career and California Mining Ties (1850s)
Stewart studied law under John R. McConnell in Nevada City and was admitted to the bar in 1852. He served as district attorney of Nevada County in 1853 and briefly as acting attorney general of California in 1854. In 1855, he married Annie Elizabeth Foote (daughter of former Mississippi Senator Henry S. Foote) and moved to Downieville, California, in 1856, continuing his legal practice amid the region’s placer and quartz mining operations. His expertise in mining law—gained through litigation over claims, water rights, and ore disputes—laid the foundation for his later prominence.
Move to Nevada and the Comstock Lode (1859–1875)
The 1859 discovery of the Comstock Lode—one of the richest silver deposits in history—in what was then Utah Territory (soon Nevada) drew Stewart to Virginia City in 1860. He became the most prominent lawyer on the Comstock, specializing in mining litigation. He championed the “single ledge” theory (arguing the Comstock was one continuous vein), which influenced massive stakes in control of the lode. Stewart estimated earning $500,000 from four years of such cases, amid litigation costing up to $10 million overall. His aggressive style—sometimes described as not always strictly ethical—earned him a fearsome reputation.
Politically, Stewart helped shape Nevada: he served on the territorial council (1861), attended the 1863 constitutional convention, and became one of Nevada’s first U.S. Senators upon statehood in 1864 (serving until 1875). He drafted key national mining laws (1866 and 1872) formalizing Western practices like claim location and free access to public lands. He also contributed to the Fifteenth Amendment and supported railroad interests.
Investments and Controversies in Mining
Beyond law and politics, Stewart invested directly in mining:
- Comstock Lode: He participated as a capitalist after his legal work, profiting from the silver boom.
- Emma Mine (Utah, 1870s): Stewart promoted this silver mine in Little Cottonwood Canyon to British investors, raising millions. Accusations of fraud arose when the mine proved depleted or overvalued; he and partners sold shares profitably, tarnishing his reputation.
- Panamint City (California, 1873–1877): In late 1872/early 1873, prospectors (including outlaws) discovered rich silver in Surprise Canyon, Panamint Range (near Death Valley), while searching for the legendary Lost Gunsight Mine. Stewart partnered with fellow Nevada Senator John P. Jones (both dubbed “Silver Senators” for their mining ties) to form the Panamint Mining Company (capitalized at $2 million). They invested heavily—over $250,000–$350,000—buying claims (e.g., Wyoming, Wonder, Challenge), arranging amnesty for bandit discoverers (with restitution to Wells Fargo), and promoting the boom. Panamint City swelled to 1,500–2,000 residents with mills and infrastructure, but ore depleted quickly, and a 1876 flash flood devastated the town. The venture collapsed by 1877, adding to Stewart’s controversial legacy.
Stewart’s mining pursuits often blended speculation, promotion, and politics, drawing criticism for prioritizing profit and development over restraint.
Later Career and Legacy
After leaving the Senate in 1875 (due to financial pressures against rival William Sharon), Stewart practiced law in San Francisco and pursued unsuccessful mining schemes. He represented clients in scandals (e.g., William Sharon’s divorce) and briefly joined the Silver Party (1892–1899) to advocate remonetizing silver, editing the Silver Knight newspaper. Rejoining Republicans in 1900, he returned to the Senate (1887–1905), championing Western irrigation, mining safety, and opposing figures like John Wesley Powell on land policy.
In 1905, at nearly 80, Stewart moved to the Bullfrog mining district in southern Nevada, opening a law firm and dabbling in ventures. He died in Washington, D.C., in 1909, leaving a fortune from mining and law (estimated at millions earlier). Inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners (1964), Stewart embodied the rugged, opportunistic spirit of the mining West—shaping laws that enabled its development while embodying its excesses and controversies. His investments in California (early gold fields, Panamint) and Nevada (Comstock, later camps) helped fuel booms that transformed the region, for better and worse.
Keane Wonder Mine
The Keane Wonder Mine (also known as Keane Wonder Mine and Mill) stands as one of the most significant and best-preserved historic gold mining sites in Death Valley National Park, California. Located in the Funeral Mountains on the eastern side of Death Valley, it represents a rare success story amid the region’s typically short-lived and unprofitable mining ventures during the early 20th-century gold rushes.
Discovery and Early Development (1903–1906)
Prospecting in the Funeral Mountains dated back to the 1860s, but no major strikes occurred until the early 1900s. In December 1903, two prospectors from the nearby supply camp of Ballarat—Jack Keane, an Irish immigrant who had been struggling in the desert for years, and Domingo Etcharren, a one-eyed Basque butcher—explored an area known as Chloride Cliffs, initially targeting silver deposits.
After months of unsuccessful work on a ledge, Etcharren grew discouraged and left. Keane persisted and, by chance (some accounts credit Etcharren noticing a quartz outcropping as he departed), discovered a rich vein of free-milling gold ore—high-quality ore that could be processed relatively easily. This was Keane’s first major find after nearly a decade of hardship, leading him to name it the “Keane Wonder” (or “Keane’s Wonder”) in astonishment and optimism.
The pair quickly staked and patented eighteen claims to secure the site. They sold options on the property to investors, including a New Yorker named Joseph DeLamar, but initial deals fell through—partly due to competing discoveries elsewhere in the region (like the Bullfrog boom to the north). It wasn’t until 1906 that serious development began when investors, including John F. Campbell and later Homer Wilson (an experienced miner from California’s Mother Lode), purchased the claims for sums reportedly ranging from $150,000 to $250,000 before significant extraction.
As part of the agreements, Keane and Etcharren retained stakes: Keane became president of the Keane Wonder Mining Company, and Etcharren served as secretary.
Peak Operations and Infrastructure (1907–1912)
Under new ownership, the mine rapidly expanded into a full-scale operation. By 1907, it featured:
- A 20-stamp mill at the lower site to crush and process ore.
- An ice plant to combat the extreme desert heat.
- Support facilities for a mining camp, including worker housing.
The site’s steep, rugged location high on the mountainside posed major logistical challenges for transporting ore downhill to the mill. To address this, the company constructed a remarkable mile-long aerial tramway (approximately 1 to 1.5 miles, with about 1,000–1,500 feet of vertical drop) in 1907. This gravity-powered system used wooden towers, cables, and metal ore buckets to move material efficiently from the upper mine workings to the lower mill.
At peak production (roughly 1908–1911), the tramway transported up to 70 tons of ore per day (some sources note higher daily figures in short bursts). The ingenious design reduced costs dramatically compared to pack mules or manual labor on the treacherous slopes, making the operation profitable despite Death Valley’s harsh conditions (extreme heat, water scarcity, and isolation). The Keane Wonder became known as the “King of the Desert” in local papers like the Rhyolite Herald, and it was the most productive and longest-operating mine in the Funeral Mountains region—outlasting many flash-in-the-pan camps.
The mine yielded substantial gold (with some silver), with total output estimates ranging from $750,000 to over $1.1 million (equivalent to tens of millions in modern dollars) between 1904 and 1917, with the bulk from 1907–1912. It was one of the few truly profitable gold mines in Death Valley during this era.
Decline and Closure (1912–1942)
By 1912, easily accessible high-grade ore was largely depleted, leading to financial struggles and reduced activity. The mine was sold amid speculation that it was “played out.” Intermittent small-scale operations continued, but major production ended around 1916–1917. A final revival attempt ceased by 1942.
Post-Mining History and Preservation in Death Valley National Park
The National Park Service acquired the claims in the 1970s as part of Death Valley’s expansion and protection (Death Valley became a national monument in 1933 and a national park in 1994). The site preserves over 18,000 mining features park-wide, with Keane Wonder exemplifying early 20th-century engineering and hardship.
The area closed from 2008 to 2017 for safety reasons, including structural stabilization of unstable mine workings, hazard mitigation (e.g., after a fatal fall into a shaft in 1984), and soil sampling for contamination. Restoration focused on the aerial tramway towers, upper and lower terminals, and other structures. It reopened in November 2017 and is now a popular hiking destination via the Keane Wonder Mine Trail (a strenuous 3+ mile round-trip with significant elevation gain).
Keane Wonder Mine Trail Map
Today, visitors can view remnants including:
- Foundations of the stamp mill.
- Mine adits and shafts (do not enter—unsafe and illegal).
- The iconic line of wooden tramway towers and terminals stretching up the mountainside, with some ore buckets still in place.
The aerial tramway remains a highlight: a testament to innovative engineering that overcame the site’s extreme topography and enabled the mine’s success. It symbolizes how infrastructure could turn marginal deposits profitable in one of Earth’s harshest environments.
The Keane Wonder Mine offers a tangible link to Death Valley’s mining heritage—boom-and-bust cycles, perseverance, and the fleeting allure of gold in the desert.
Elgin, Nevada – Lincoln County Ghost Town
Elgin, Nevada (Lincoln County) is a small historic ranching community and former railroad siding, now largely a ghost town best known for its preserved one-room schoolhouse.
Early Settlement and Ranching (1870s–1900s)
Ranching began along the Meadow Valley Wash in the 1870s. James Bradshaw homesteaded a ranch in the lower end of Rainbow Canyon around 1880. The first permanent settlement at Elgin dates to 1882.
These early ranches relied on the Meadow Valley Wash for water, which flows toward the Muddy River. The area remained sparsely populated until the arrival of the railroad.
Railroad Era and Community Growth (1903 onward)
The San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad (later part of the Union Pacific) was constructed through Rainbow Canyon in 1903. This created small communities at sidings spaced roughly every five miles. Elgin became one such siding, supporting local ranches with train access for passengers, freight, and supplies.
A post office opened on March 3, 1913, and operated until December 30, 1966, serving the scattered ranching families.
The population reached about 60 by 1940. Elgin was never a mining boomtown; it remained a quiet agricultural and railroad-support community.
The Elgin Schoolhouse (1922–1967)
The distance to schools in Panaca or Caliente made education difficult for children in lower Rainbow Canyon. In 1921, Lincoln County allocated funds for a school. James Bradshaw donated seven acres of his ranch land. His son, Rueben Bradshaw, built the one-room schoolhouse, completed in 1922.
- It served grades 1–8.
- A teacher’s apartment was added in 1924, making it easier to recruit educators.
- The school operated until 1967, when the last eighth-grade student graduated. Improved roads and school buses then transported children to larger schools in Caliente and Panaca.
After 1967, the building became a private residence for a Bradshaw family member. It sat vacant from the 1980s until restoration in 1998. The Bradshaw family donated it to the Nevada Division of State Parks in 2005, and it became the Elgin Schoolhouse State Historic Site.
Later Years and Today
The post office closed in 1966, and the school followed in 1967, marking the decline of Elgin as an active community. It is now considered a ghost town, though some private ranches and an apple orchard remain nearby.
The schoolhouse is the main preserved historic feature and is open for tours by appointment or on limited public days. It stands as a testament to early 20th-century rural education in Nevada. The site lies along Nevada State Route 317 between Caliente and Carp, in scenic Rainbow Canyon.
Summary
Elgin represents the classic small-scale ranching and railroad sidings that dotted rural Nevada. Unlike flashy mining towns, its story centers on family ranches, community self-reliance, and the challenges of providing education in remote areas. Its preserved schoolhouse offers a tangible link to Lincoln County’s agricultural and transportation history in the early-to-mid 20th century.
Stine, Nevada – Lincoln County Ghost Town
Stine is a classic Nevada ghost town and extinct settlement in Lincoln County, located in Rainbow Canyon along the Union Pacific Railroad line. Situated at an elevation of approximately 4,085 feet (1,245 m), it lies between the communities of Boyd and Etna, roughly two miles south of modern Caliente. Unlike many mining boomtowns, Stine originated as a ranching homestead before transforming into a specialized industrial site—a power plant, pump station, and railroad siding—built to support the operations of the distant Delamar gold mines. Its life was brief, and today little remains beyond its historical footprint in one of Nevada’s scenic canyon corridors.
Early Settlement: Kershaw Ranch (1873–1904)
The story of Stine begins with the arrival of Samuel and Hannah Kershaw in 1873. They established a ranch in the canyon, known as the Meadow Valley Wash Ranch, taking advantage of natural springs and fertile land in an otherwise arid region. The ranch featured orchards and served as a modest settlement in the Rainbow Canyon area.
A post office named Kershaw opened on October 29, 1892, reflecting the family’s prominence. By the turn of the 20th century, the site gained new importance as a water source. Engineers constructed a pump station to supply water from Meadow Valley Wash to the booming gold mining town of Delamar (about 12–13 miles away), which sat at a higher elevation and required significant pumping infrastructure, including booster stations.
In 1904, the Kershaws sold their holdings to James and Patrick Ryan. The post office name changed from Kershaw to Stine at the end of that year.
Industrial Development and Boom (1903–1909)
Between 1903 and 1905, the Union Pacific Railroad built its line through Rainbow Canyon, establishing a siding at the site. A coal-fired power plant was constructed around 1903–1905 to generate electricity for the Bamberger De Lamar Gold Mines (Delamar), transmitting power over the distance. The facility and siding were named Stine after Marcus Stine, vice-president of the International Pump Corporation and a major investor in the Delamar operations.
At its peak, Stine functioned as a small but critical support hub: railroad siding, power generation, and water pumping operations sustained the larger mining enterprise. Variant names included “Cana” and “Stine Station.” However, like many satellite facilities tied to mining, its fortunes were directly linked to Delamar’s productivity.
Decline and Abandonment (1909–1949)
Delamar’s gold production waned in the early 20th century. By the end of 1909, the power plant and pump station at Stine were dismantled (the equipment was possibly relocated). The post office closed on October 30, 1909. The site saw minimal activity afterward and was largely abandoned by 1949.
The Ryan family retained ties to the land; James Ryan donated portions of the former Kershaw Ranch for public use. In 1935, the area became Kershaw-Ryan State Park, one of Nevada’s original four state parks. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed visitor facilities in the 1930s. Today, the park is a popular oasis with camping, hiking, rock climbing, and scenic views—preserving the natural beauty of the original homestead while the industrial remnants of Stine have faded into history.
Legacy and Significance
Stine exemplifies the interconnected infrastructure that supported Nevada’s early 20th-century mining booms. It highlights how railroads, power generation, and water engineering enabled remote mining operations in harsh desert environments. While Delamar earned a notorious reputation (known as the “Widow Maker” due to silica dust), Stine quietly powered it from the canyon below.
Little physical evidence of the town remains today, but its location in Rainbow Canyon ties it to broader regional history, including prehistoric rock art sites and the development of Lincoln County’s transportation network. The adjacent Kershaw-Ryan State Park serves as a living memorial to the area’s ranching and recreational heritage.
Stine stands as a reminder of Nevada’s boom-and-bust cycles—fleeting industrial outposts that rose quickly to meet mining demands and vanished once those demands faded.