Gold was mined at this site in Grass Valley California from 1850 until 1956. The surface was purchased by the state of California in 1975 but the gold, still in the ground, is owned by Newmont Mining.
Many of the old mine buildings are still in good shape, their offices still containing much of the original furnishings and materials.
Miners would start their day entering through this tunnel. There are over 360 miles of tunnels, some of them nearly a mile below the surface.
This is how the men descended into the mine. I took this historic photo from the site of the
volunteer group who runs tours and operates the bookstore.
When the ore was brought to the surface it had to be crushed to release gold. Forty of these stamps pounded the ore rock day and night. The noise must have been deafening.
Then it was smelted and refined.
What does the sign say? "Positively do not remove anything from this refinery". Theft was a real concern.
Every office had a safe but this one was unique. Perhaps this is where they stored the gold.
For more scenes from around the world, click on the link.
That's My World, Tuesday is hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren and Sylvia.
