Cerro Gordo Mines
Encyclopedia
The Cerro Gordo Mines were a collection of mines located in the Inyo Mountains
, in Inyo County, California
. Mining operations were undertaken from 1866 until 1957, producing high grade silver, lead, and zinc ore. Some ore was smelted on site, however the remote location led to larger scale smelting operations along the shore of the Owens Lake
. These smelters led to the creation of the towns of Swansea
and Keeler
. Most of the metal ingot
s were transported to Los Angeles
, but transportation difficulties hindered the success of the mines. Silver/Lead mining peaked in the early 1880s, with a second mining boom producing zinc in the 1910s.
, became impressed by the quality of silver being taken out of Cerro Gordo and opened a store near the mine. He soon acquired several mining claims to settle unpaid debts and proceeded to have two modern smelters built. Victor Beaudry continued acquiring mining rights from debtors until he soon owned a majority of the richest and most productive mines in the area, including partial interest in the Union Mine.
In 1868 Mortimer Belshaw arrived in Cerro Gordo, attracted by the rich deposits of galena
ore. After establishing a partnership with another stakeholder in the Union Mine, he brought the first wagon load of silver from Cerro Gordo to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles he was able to secure financing to build his own smelter that was superior to all other smelters at Cerro Gordo, as well as to build the first wagon road up the mountain. This road became known as the Yellow Road from the color of the rock that it had been cut through. By operating the Yellow Road as a toll road Mortimer Belshaw was able to earn income and control the shipments of silver from the mountain.
, is a descendent of the family involved with the transport of ingots from Cerro Gordo across Owens Lake and by mule train to Los Angeles. He has written books and articles on the period.
Inyo Mountains
The Inyo Mountains are a short mountain range east of the Sierra Nevada mountains in eastern California in the United States. The range separates the Owens Valley to the west with Saline Valley to the east, extending for approximately 70 mi SSE from the southern end of the White Mountains,...
, in Inyo County, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Mining operations were undertaken from 1866 until 1957, producing high grade silver, lead, and zinc ore. Some ore was smelted on site, however the remote location led to larger scale smelting operations along the shore of the Owens Lake
Owens Lake
Owens Lake is a mostly dry lake in the Owens Valley on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada in Inyo County, California. It is located about south of Lone Pine, California...
. These smelters led to the creation of the towns of Swansea
Swansea, California
Swansea is an unincorporated community in Inyo County, California. It is located south of New York Butte, at an elevation of 3661 feet .Swansea was a boomtown located on the eastern shore of Owens Lake...
and Keeler
Keeler, California
Keeler is a census-designated place in Inyo County, California, United States. Keeler is located on the east shore of Owens Lake south-southeast of New York Butte, at an elevation of 3602 feet...
. Most of the metal ingot
Ingot
An ingot is a material, usually metal, that is cast into a shape suitable for further processing. Non-metallic and semiconductor materials prepared in bulk form may also be referred to as ingots, particularly when cast by mold based methods.-Uses:...
s were transported to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, but transportation difficulties hindered the success of the mines. Silver/Lead mining peaked in the early 1880s, with a second mining boom producing zinc in the 1910s.
History
Original discovery of the rich silver ore is credited to Pablo Flores who began mining and smelting operations near the summit of Buena Vista Peak in 1865[1]. Due to hostile Indian activity early mining efforts were rather limited. When hostile Indian activity subsided following the establishment of Fort Independence, mining efforts increased. These early miners employed relatively primitive techniques of open pits and trenches, with adobe ovens to smelt the ore. Businessman Victor Beaudry of nearby Independence, CaliforniaIndependence, California
Independence is the county seat of Inyo County, California. Independence is located south-southeast of Bishop, at an elevation of 3930 feet . The population of this census-designated place was 669 at the 2010 census, up from 574 at the 2000 census....
, became impressed by the quality of silver being taken out of Cerro Gordo and opened a store near the mine. He soon acquired several mining claims to settle unpaid debts and proceeded to have two modern smelters built. Victor Beaudry continued acquiring mining rights from debtors until he soon owned a majority of the richest and most productive mines in the area, including partial interest in the Union Mine.
In 1868 Mortimer Belshaw arrived in Cerro Gordo, attracted by the rich deposits of galena
Galena
Galena is the natural mineral form of lead sulfide. It is the most important lead ore mineral.Galena is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfide minerals. It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system often showing octahedral forms...
ore. After establishing a partnership with another stakeholder in the Union Mine, he brought the first wagon load of silver from Cerro Gordo to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles he was able to secure financing to build his own smelter that was superior to all other smelters at Cerro Gordo, as well as to build the first wagon road up the mountain. This road became known as the Yellow Road from the color of the rock that it had been cut through. By operating the Yellow Road as a toll road Mortimer Belshaw was able to earn income and control the shipments of silver from the mountain.
Present day
Cerro Gordo is currently a ghost town. It still has several buildings including the general store and the American Hotel. It is on private land and permission to visit must be obtained.Books
The author Remi NadeauRemi Nadeau
Remi Nadeau is an American historian. He earned a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and a PhD from the University of California at Santa Barbara.-Publications:* City Makers * The Water Seekers...
, is a descendent of the family involved with the transport of ingots from Cerro Gordo across Owens Lake and by mule train to Los Angeles. He has written books and articles on the period.
- "The Water Seekers" (1950)
- "Los Angeles: from mission to modern city" (1960)
- "Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of California" (1965)
See also
- Category: Mining in California
- Category: Ghost towns in California
- Category: Geography of Inyo County, California