Early Mining Days in Nevada
A drive through Lucky Boy Pass, off Highway 395, then a turn on a narrow winding rocky road will lead you back into Nevada’s gold and silver history to what was once the bustling town of Aurora.
Located just three miles from the California border, the town was founded around 1836, when a small group of prospectors discovered a ledge of silver and several veins of gold and proclaimed the area “Aurora! Goddess of the Dawn”.
It didn’t take long before word got out and the town of Aurora became established with a general store, post office, some saloons and a hotel. By 1869, the town had grown to a population of 10,000 and the mines were producing a reported $27 million in gold.
Aurora’s heyday lasted about a decade, until the gold and silver ran out. Presently, with the harsh desert environment and human vandalism, only a few structures are left to remind us of how life must have been.
At its peak, Aurora had as many as 17 mills, worth a total of 175 stamps. The elaborate frame from one of the stamp mills can be found just off the dirt road, near Aurora Creek.
The Gyratory Crusher was a large capacity crushing machine. Imagine how it was transported to a location through the desert and up a slope for operation.
The Hardinge Patent Conical Mill was used to reduce various minerals like gold, silver, copper and lead. This heavy mill was built to be sectionalized for pack animal transportation.
Heavy equipment and ladder are clues to how work was once done in the mines at Aurora.
A residence in the bustling town of Aurora.
A cement structure was thought to have once been a bank.
What
an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love
it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get
treated to new experiences.
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"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"
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