Death Valley National Park Historic (Mining) Preservation Report Vol 1

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Architectural Conservation Projects Program

Intermountain Support Office
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Death Valley National Park

Historic Preservation Report – Volume I
Abandoned Mine Lands Documentation
and Condition Assessment
FY 2002
Historic Preservation Report – Volume I

Abandoned Mine Lands Documentation
and Condition Assessment
FY 2002
California
Emily Donald Mark L. Mortier Glenn D. Simpson

Archeologist Historical Architect Exhibit Specialist, Project Manager
Division of Facilities Management, Historic Preservation Projects

Intermountain Support Office – Santa Fe, New Mexico

Washington, DC
Contents
Project Overview 1
Executive Summary 1
Summary of Findings and Recommendations 2
High Priority Management Actions Table 6
Findings and Recommendations 11

Documentation and Assessment Methodology 11
Harrisburg District 13
Aguereberry Camp 13
Cashier Mine and Mill 26
Eureka Mine 36
Harrisburg Townsite 40
Harrisburg District Mine Openings 56
Journigan’s Mill 60
Leadfield 71
Lost Burro Mine and Mill 111
Queen of Sheba and Carbonate Mine 142
Ubehebe Lead Mine 164
Bibliography 183
Appendices 185
Appendix A – Tables of Findings and Recommendations
Sorted by Priority 185
Appendix B – Site Maps 195
Harrisburg District 197
Journigan’s Mill 199
Leadfield 201
Lost Burro Mine and Mill 203
Queen of Sheba and Carbonate Mine 205
Ubehebe Lead Mine 207
National Park Service v

Executive Summary
Throughout Death Valley National Park is

found a diverse collection of resources
associated with the Park’s rich mining heritage.
Many of these resources are located within the
original boundaries of Death Valley National
Monument. The designation of Death Valley
National Park in 1994 included the addition of
over one million acres of new property and
additional mining-related resources. Systematic
documentation and evaluation of all mining-
related resources is needed to provide the Death
Valley National Park Resources Management,
Protection and Interpretation Divisions with the
information necessary to make critical decisions
about their preservation and use.
From March through mid-May of 2002, staff

members of the Architectural Conservation
Projects Program (IMSF-CAC) of the National Park Service, Intermountain Support
Office—Santa Fe performed archeological documentation and condition assessment
on nine mining-related sites within Death Valley National Park.∗ The main staff
included four archeologists, with assistance from a supervisory archeologist, a
historical architect, an exhibit specialist, and one volunteer. Each site was
archeologically surveyed and documented; and each feature and structure was
evaluated for construction, condition, threats, and management and safety issues.
Management and treatment recommendations were made for each building, feature,
and for the sites overall, and each was assigned a treatment priority.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
∗ The Architectural Conservation Projects Program was integrated into the Intermountain Support Office,
Division of Facilities Management and is now called, Division of Facilities Management, Historic
Preservation Projects (NPS-IMSO-DFM-HPP).
National Park Service 1

Summary of Findings and Recommendations
Summary of Findings
The sites documented during the 2002 spring field season were Aguereberry Camp,
Cashier Mine and Mill, Eureka Mine, and the Harrisburg townsite (all part of the
Harrisburg District); Journigan’s Mill; the Leadfield townsite; the Lost Burro Mine;
the Queen of Sheba Mine; and the Ubehebe Lead Mine. At Aguereberry Camp were
five standing structures, a collapsed structure, no platforms, and four archeological
features. The Cashier Mine and Mill has two standing structures, two removed
structures, no platforms, and nine archeological features. The associated mine
openings were grouped with the rest of the openings in the Harrisburg District, of
which there were a total of forty. The Eureka Mine has no standing structures, and of
the two structures visible in the historic photograph, traces of only one remain.
There is one archeological feature. The Eureka Mine opening was similarly included
in the Harrisburg District Count. The townsite of Harrisburg has one standing
structure, five collapsed or removed structures, twenty-one tent platforms, and
twenty-six archeological features. The site of Journigan’s Mill has no standing
structures, five collapsed/burned/removed structures, one platform, eight
archeological features, and no mine openings. The townsite of Leadfield has six
standing structures, twenty-four collapsed/removed structures, fifty-three platforms,
twenty-four features, and fifteen mine openings. At the Lost Burro Mine were five
standing structures, five burned/collapsed/removed structures, fifteen platforms,
twenty-eight archeological features, and twenty-five mine openings. The Ubehebe
Lead Mine site consisted of one standing structure, six burned/collapsed/removed
structures, eight platforms, ten archeological features, and twenty-three mine
openings.
Generally, the buildings at the sites were constructed using materials that were on
hand; only the mill structures were consistently of more formal construction. The
buildings also varied in the quality of their construction—some were clearly not built
to last, while others were more carefully constructed and better maintained. Unlike
the buildings documented by IMSF-CAC in the cabin survey (Mortier et al. 2001),
these buildings were more likely to be vandalized than cared for by the public.
Speaking very generally, those buildings that were constructed completely of wood
and appeared older and more “authentic” (e.g. the cabin at Lost Burro) were less
vandalized than structures that appeared more modern (e.g. the cabin and bathhouse
at Queen of Sheba). Ease of access to the public also seems to play a role, as evident
in the relatively high level of vandalism and artifact collection experienced by the
structures at Aguereberry Camp, a front country site.
The photographs taken by Greene and Latschar in 1978 were helpful in assessing
change over time at the sites, especially in the condition of the structures. At
Aguereberry Camp, none of the structures has collapsed since 1978, but all had been
severely vandalized. Little change had taken place at the Cashier Mill site, but it is
clear that the mill structure itself is significantly more unstable that it was at that time,
and a piece of framing visible on the top of the ridge is no longer there. No changes
were noted at the Eureka Mine except for the installation of the bat gate. The 2-room
corrugated metal dugout at Harrisburg has suffered significant collapse since the 1978
site visit, losing the roof and part of the front wall. There are three housing
structures standing in a 1962 photograph of the Journigan’s Mill, only one of which is
Historic Preservation Report 2

visible in the 1978 photograph. This structure burned to the ground sometime prior
to 2001. At Leadfield, one structure partially collapsed in the interval between 1978
and the 1997 List of Classified Structures fieldwork, and fell complete in the interval
between 1997 and 2001. A section of the roof of one of the dugouts at Leadfield blew
off while the crew was at the site; while it is not structurally threatened as a result, it
integrity is diminished. An ore bin at Lost Burro has collapsed since 1978; it is
possible that it happened in the interval between 1978 and 1983, but the structure is
difficult to see in the 1983 photograph. A shed at the site collapsed sometime after
1983, and the blacksmith shop has lost one wall and the roof since that time as well.
At Queen of Sheba, there is a large, corrugated metal industrial building that
collapsed sometime after 1978. A section of wood framing at the mill has fallen since
that time as well. The Ubehebe Lead Mine has suffered the most significant losses.
Since 1978, a small building by the main cabin burned, the compressor building
collapsed, the blacksmith shop collapsed, two of the three rooms of the main cabin
collapsed, and the third is in significant danger of following. The overall condition
rating and treatment priority for each structure and feature are summarized in Table
1.
Less information on changes over time is available on the archeological features of

the sites. In general, most of them are stable and need only minor repairs and
ongoing maintenance. The most severe threats to archeological resources occur at
Lost Burro and Leadfield, both of which are situated in canyon bottoms and are
subject to increased erosion. At Lost Burro, erosion is impacting deposits of cyanide
waste from the gold milling process and has taken out sections of checkdams.
Gullying will eventually threaten the housing area if left unchecked. At Leadfield,
flash flood events down the main Titus Canyon drainage would threaten tent
platforms and associated privies and artifact concentrations. Other threats to all
archeological features include vandalism and artifact removal resulting from
increasing visitation.
Summary of Recommendations
Draft nominations for the National Register of Historic Places were completed in the
early 1980’s for most of the sites, but the nomination process was never completed.
Leadfield was listed in 1974, but Latschar recommended that the nomination be
rewritten (Greene and Latschar 1981), and the staff of IMSF-CAC concurs. A
nomination was not completed for the Ubehebe Lead Mine, and in her preliminary
appraisal, Greene suggests that it would not be eligible (Greene and Latschar 1981). It
is suggested that this assessment be reconsidered in the context of a potential district
nomination for the entire Ubehebe Mining District. As well as updating and
completing National Register nominations, preservation plans should be prepared
for all sites that are determined eligible or are potentially eligible for listing on the
National Register.
Many of the general management recommendations are similar for all the sites. A
DEVA staff member familiar with cultural resources management issues should be
designated to inspect abandoned mine sites and update the resources condition
database on a regular basis. Except for the Harrisburg District, all of the sites need

interpretive signs installed or updated, as well as more frequent monitoring law
enforcement and cultural resources specialists. None of the sites had safety
information posted about Hantavirus or the hazards of being in and around historic
structures, and this information needs to be posted, as does a statement on the
significance of the structures and ARPA regulations. It is suggested that the latter
information be incorporated into interpretive material on the history so as to clearly
link the significance with the need for preservation. Vehicle access at Harrisburg has
already been closed off, however vehicles are still impacting cultural resources at
Journigan’s Mill, Lost Burro, Leadfield, Queen of Sheba, and the Ubehebe Lead
Mine. Portions of all these sites need to be closed to vehicle access, and alternative
parking at Leadfield and Lost Burro strongly considered. The portable toilet facilities
at Leadfield need to be regularly maintained or removed. A parking area with a more
permanent comfort station facility somewhere in the canyon should be considered.
Safety hazards to visitors were present in the form of open mine shafts and other
unsafe mine openings at Lost Burro, Queen of Sheba, and the Ubehebe Lead Mine;
an unexploded stick of dynamite and barrels of an unidentified chemical powder at
Queen of Sheba and asbestos coating on the corrugated metal structures at Leadfield;
and potential asbestos in the resilient flooring at Aguereberry Camp and the Ubehebe
Lead Mine. Hazardous mine openings should be closed off, or at least signed.
Qualified personnel should remove the dynamite, and the chemical powder should
be tested and removed if it is hazardous. The asbestos is a larger problem that should
be addressed by staff with an understanding of the degree of hazard it truly
represents in the environment. A sign warning visitors of the hazard should be
posted until a more permanent solution is reached.
The townsites of Harrisburg and Leadfield have particular archeological research

potential. Both would make excellent candidates for masters theses should a
graduate student be interested in questions surrounding the growth of boomtowns in
terms of as planning and layout, class, gender, economy and consumer consumption,
and similar subjects. The possibility of interesting historical archeology students in
the sites should be pursued. More research on these sites will enable them to be
better interpreted for the increasing number of visitors.
Specific recommendations for individual resources are detailed in the document

below. Virtually all the standing structures require maintenance, and Table 1 outlines
those that are threatened and in urgent need of treatment. The others are in need of
maintenance, but are not in danger of immediate collapse. Tables addressing some of
the needs of the resources are in the appendices.
The following are standard condition assessment standard definitions. For the
purposes of this report, these definitions were rigidly adhered to as a way to
qualitatively assess the current condition of the mining-related features and
structures.
Qualitative Condition Rating Guidelines:
A rating of Good indicates that: (a) routine maintenance should be sufficient

to maintain the current condition; and/or (b) cyclic maintenance or a repair

and rehabilitation project is not required to correct deficiencies.
A rating of Fair indicates that the structure or feature generally has an

adequate level structural integrity, but it needs more than routine
maintenance attention. A Fair rating also indicates that cyclic maintenance
or repair/rehabilitation work may be necessary at some future date.
A rating of Poor indicates that the structure or feature is in need of immediate

maintenance attention. A Poor rating also indicates that: (a) routine
maintenance is needed at a much higher level of effort to meet significant
safety and legal requirements; (b) cyclic maintenance should be scheduled for
the current year; and/or (c) a repair and rehabilitation project should be
requested, consistent with DEVA priorities and long-term management
objectives.
Maintenance Deficiency Priority Ratings:
High - There is advanced deterioration which has resulted in the failure of the
structure or feature, or will result in the failure of the structure or feature if
not corrected within one year; or there is accelerated deterioration of
adjacent or related materials as a result of the structure’s or feature’s
deficiency; or there is a threat to the health and/or safety of the user; or there
is a failure to meet a legislated requirement.
Medium - There is a deterioration which, if not corrected within 1-3 years,

will result in the failure of the structure or feature; or a threat to the health
and/or safety of the user may occur within 1-3 years if the deterioration is not
corrected; or there is deterioration of adjacent or related materials and/or
system as a result of the structure’s or feature's deficiency.
Low - Standard preventive maintenance practices and preservation methods

have not been followed; or there is a reduced life expectancy of affected or
related materials and/or systems; or there is a condition with long-term
impact with 3 to 5 years and beyond.

Documentation and Assessment Methodology
The documentation of each site included archeological, architectural, and condition

assessment components. Archeological and architectural documentation consisted
of identifying and recording the significant cultural features and their associated
artifacts. The condition assessment involved evaluating the overall integrity of each
structure or feature, identifying active impacts and the degree of severity of each,
making recommendations for preservation treatments, were any warranted, and
assigning a priority for each treatment. The location of each feature was recorded
with a Trimble GeoExplorer 3 GPS unit, and a hand-drawn site map was completed
using a compass and pacing rough distances. Each structure or feature was
photographed with black and white print film and digital images. Details of
structures and features were recorded with the digital camera. More minor features
such as claim markers and cairns were mapped with the GPS unit, but were not
documented except for mention in the overall site or cultural landscape forms. Mine
openings were also documented, existing access restrictions noted, and potential
hazards identified.
Numbers were assigned to individual structures and features in the field. In a very
few cases where there were few of any given type of resource, no numbers were
assigned and the resources were simply referred to by their names. In cases where
there were multiple examples of individual resource types, individual structures or
features were assigned a numbers within a sequence for that feature type—e.g.
Structures 1-15, Mine Openings 1-28, and so forth.
Artifacts were recorded in the field directly onto the California DPR Artifact Form.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
For standing structures, all artifacts inside the structure and in the immediate vicinity
(within a 2-3 yard radius) were recorded. Artifact concentrations that were sparse
enough were documented in their entirety, while more denser scatters were sampled
using either a 1 x 1 meter area or a transect. Artifact forms may be assumed to
represent a 100% sample unless otherwise indicated. A series of unassociated
artifacts were recorded at Harrisburg and Aguereberry Camp as these sites had
particularly dense scatters over their entire areas. At the other sites, artifact
documentation was restricted to structures, features, and artifact concentrations.
Artifacts of particular interest (e.g. complete diagnostic bottles and personal items
such as complete shoes, smoking pipes, etc.) were point plotted with the GPS unit
and/or photographed. After consultation with park curators Blair Davenport and
Marcia Stout, only one object was collected: a piece of painted canvas of unknown
origin and date from the Harrisburg townsite. No other particularly perishable or
valuable objects were encountered during the course of the Spring 2002 field season.
The documentation was completed on field forms prepared by the IMSF-CAC staff
prior to going in the field. Once data collection was complete, the archeological
information was transferred to California State DPR forms for submission to the
state. Archeological and condition assessment information was entered into the
Integrated Resource Management System (IRMS) database for installation in the
park. Complete photographic records, scanned versions of the documentation
forms, and other information are included in the IRMS digital archive, database, and
geospatial components to supplement the information and images included in this
report. In making final recommendations for treatment, the staff had the benefit of

assistance from a supervisory archeologist with conservation training and a historical
architect. The policy was to establish treatment recommendations and
priorities based on the significance of the resource and the feasibility and cost of the
treatment. Visitor safety, the degree of deterioration, and the severity of ongoing
impacts played the most significant roles in the assessment.

Lost Burro Mine and Mill
Historic Photograph of Lost

Burro Mill.
Site Description and Previous Documentation: The gold-bearing outcroppings of

the Lost Burro Mine were discovered in 1907. A fifty-ton five-stamp mill was
constructed, and mining continued sporadically until the mid-1970s. The history is
well documented in Greene and Latschar
(1981), and a draft National Register
Nomination was prepared in 1987.
When Greene visited the site in 1978,

cultural remains included the cabin,
dugout, shed, privy, mill, and blacksmith
shop, as well as retaining walls, an ore bin, Lost Burro Mine and Mill
the mine openings, and various

concentrations of equipment, machinery
parts, and trash. There are additional
photographs from a 1983 monitoring
effort, and it is evident from them that the
ore bin collapsed in the interval between
1978 and 1983. The shed has collapsed
since 1983, and the blacksmith shop has
partially collapsed since the 1983 photo-
graph was taken. Its further collapse is
imminent.

Burro House.
The site of the Lost Burro Mine and Mill site currently consists of the cabin, dugout,
outhouse, blacksmith shop, mill, several tent platforms and collapsed structures, 13

Burro Cabin. Photograph
by Greene, 1978.

Lost Burro Mine Openings
and Ore Bin. Photograph by
Greene, 1978.
mine openings, a ditch, waste rock, and mining-related trash scatters. The ditch runs
from one drainage to another and may have been intended to divert water or cyanide
Overview of Lost Burro

Mine Site. Photograph by
IMSF-CAC, 2002.

waste away from the housing area. There are two checkdams in one of the drainages,
and a third in another in which a segment of pipeline is still in place. According to the
historic records, the pipeline brought water to the site from Burro Spring. Segments
of the pipe are visible in the canyon on the way to the site as well. There are retaining
Conditions and Recommendations: Overall the site is in fair condition. Some safety
hazards are present in the form of open mine shafts, rodent droppings in the
structures, and the cyanide waste left from the ore processing. While the latter is
probably relatively inert, there is evidence that people are camping on it, and the
exposure coupled with lack of knowledge (and subsequent lack of precaution) could
be problematic. Hantavirus warning signs should be posted, as should a request not
to camp around the mill area (where the flattest parts of the cyanide waste is). A
visitor logbook should be installed, as it would perhaps forestall further graffiti inside
the cabin. Visitors are parking and camping in the historic housing area. In general
they are not doing any structural harm, but they have collected artifacts, and the
existence of large fire rings means that visitors have probably collected wood from
the collapsed structures to burn as firewood, and may do so again. The fire rings
walls associated with Structure 6 and with the mill, and a few short rock alignments
of unknown function. A vehicle road ascends to the site, and a short spur goes up to
a saddle at the south end of the site. There are trails from Structure 1 to Platform 6
and Structure 7, and a trail between the latter two. There is also a trail from the
drainage past Structure 5 and on to the next drainage and beyond. A portion of this
may be the footprint of the pipeline as it ascended to the site. There are additional
trails between the mine openings in the canyon and the road runs up the canyon to
the end before curving around toward the mill. A trail also goes from the saddle west
around the backside of the ridge to a view of the Racetrack and the Sierra Nevada
Mountains. Trash was dumped in the arroyo to the north of the housing area, and
mining-related refuse in the canyon further up. A few cairns are scattered across the
site; two large ones and other smaller ones. Non-historic features include fire rings
and trash, as well as contributions in the form of bottles, etc. to the contents of the
cabin and dugout.
should be dismantled to discourage this practice, and a sign discouraging such
collecting installed. The main drainage emerging from the canyon shows evidence
that water drains down with some force—there is gullying at the bottom of the main
drainage, and the road is in rough condition. There is also a lot of the red cyanide
waste that has been washed down for surprising distances from the mill. Some
erosion control devices such as low but sturdy checkdams may be advisable.
STANDING STRUCTURES
STRUCTURE 1, CABIN
Description: This building is a one-room cabin that appears to have been built in
two phases - starting with a smaller structure, which was then enlarged. It is not
obvious which portion was built first. The building measures approximately 12 feet by
22 feet. The structure is wood framed, using widely spaced timbers. There are minor
differences between the construction of the two phases, such as direction of floor

framing and flooring, siding, and roofing; and there is an obvious “joint” where the
two parts intersect. The building sits on a pad cut into a hillside. The grade on the east
is quite a bit higher than the floor inside. The soil is course and gravelly, and the
character of the site surrounding the building is rough. There are areas of erosion and
sedimentation around the building.
The roof is built with 2x4 rafters, and has wood sheathing covered with corrugated
metal roofing. The corrugated metal appears to have been pieced together from
roofing salvaged from other buildings. The north portion of the roof has wide boards,
while the south portion has narrower boards. The rafters have plywood gussets at the
tops, and there are several widely spaced collar ties. There are no ceilings; the
underside of the roof deck is exposed on the interior. A couple of light fixtures hang
from the collar ties, and plastic coated wires on porcelain insulators are present.
There is a stovepipe through the roof at the southeast corner.
The walls are framed with 2x4 studs, are covered with various types of wood siding
on the exterior, and unfinished on the interior. The wood siding includes vertical and
horizontal wood tongue-and-groove, generally used on the bottom third of the walls
(especially on the north portion), and horizontal shiplap siding used on the rest of the
walls. The gable end on the north has vertical tongue-and-groove; the south has
horizontal shiplap. There is some wood trim, which separates the different types of
sidings, but its location is not consistent throughout the building. The floor is covered
with tongue-and-groove wood flooring. The floor is framed with 2x4 joists that
appear to sit on grade on the west, and on a dry laid stone foundation on the other
three sides. There are also some stones used as intermediate supports under the
joists. Earth has been packed against the foundation stones on the south and west
sides.
There is one door and three windows, plus a fourth opening (now boarded up), in the
north gable end. The door is a hand built plank door with Z bracing, in a hand-built
wood frame. The windows have manufactured barn sash in hand-built wood frames.
There is a small stoop on the north, built with a dry laid stone foundation, and wood
boards on joists, and there is a small wooden overhang above the door. Segments of
metal gutters remain on the east, south, and west sides.
This structure is still occasionally used, and taken care of by visitors. There is some
furniture and built in shelving, as well as some provisions that have been left by
visitors.
Condition: Generally, this building is in fair condition, but it could soon become
poor if some stabilization is not implemented. The building is still used occasionally,
and the users have been taking minimal care of it. It is threatened by structural failure
(in part due to its poor construction), weathering, and deterioration due to neglect.
The entire building appears to be leaning to the east, and has been crudely braced
with temporary supports, which are in turn deteriorating and failing. There is some
modern trash in and around the building. There is also some graffiti on the surfaces
of the building. The corrugated metal roofing is weathered and deteriorated, and
some of the pieces are quite corroded. Some of the nails attaching the roofing have
pulled out, leaving the roofing loose. There is no ridge flashing; the roof panels are

bent over the ridge, but this seems to be working. The gutters have fallen off and are
laying in pieces on the ground.
The wood siding is very weathered and deteriorated. Many of the boards are warped,
split, or coming loose. Several pieces of siding are missing. Patches have been made
using materials such as scraps of wood and cardboard. The earth against the west side
of the building is higher than the floor level inside, and has contributed to the
deterioration of the building by contributing to moisture related damage. The below
grade siding on the west side has failed in several places, allowing earth to pour into
the structure. All of the exposed exterior wood trim is very weathered and
deteriorated, as are the doors and windows. Some pieces of exterior trim are loose,
and some are missing. The windows and frames have come loose in the walls and are
distorting, and some of the glass is broken out. One screen remains on one window;
the others are missing. The door is functional, although pieces of the jamb and stop
are missing.
The wood floors are weathered and deteriorated, and have some soft areas, but are
still generally sound. In one area of the floor there is a modern fire ring, and the floor
is almost burned through. The stone foundation has eroded away in several places,
leading to unsupported construction above, and contributing to the general
deterioration of the structure. The stoop is in poor condition – the foundation is
falling apart, and the flooring is very deteriorated, and coming loose.
Recommendations: The highest priorities are to stabilize the structure to prevent

collapse, to protect the building from environmental threats, and to protect the
public from dangerous conditions. The structure needs to be carefully inspected and
analyzed by an architect or engineer to determine the cause and severity of the
structural failure, and to determine the best course of action to stabilize or repair it.
Suspect elements include the foundation, deteriorated wood members, and loose or
damaged connections. Meanwhile, repair or replacement of the shoring already in
place, supplemented with foundation repairs and/or additional shoring if necessary,
would be an appropriate interim approach.
Once the structure is stabilized, the roof, wall and floor coverings, as well as the other
wood elements, should be carefully inspected and repaired. This work should include
repair or replacement of missing or damaged roofing and siding, reattachment of
loose corrugated metal siding, and trim, and repair or replacement of severely
deteriorated wood elements, including flooring. Foundation repairs—including
rebuilding damaged or missing areas not repaired during the stabilization—should be
completed. The stoop should be rebuilt, including the foundation, floor structure,
and covering. Damaged and displaced windows and could be reset and repaired, and
work could include replacement of broken or missing glazing. The door and frame
should be repaired. Exposed exterior wood could be treated with a preservative, and
sealed. The interior of the building should be cleaned up, and modern trash or
hazardous materials should be removed from the building and site. The fire ring
should be removed from the interior.
The site should be re-graded to avoid further erosion and sedimentation, and to
facilitate drainage around the building. The grade on the west should be lowered, to

reduce the problems from the earth against the wall. Regrading should be monitored
by an archeologist.
Notification should be posted warning of the hazards of Hantavirus, as well as

discussing the potential instability and danger of being inside or around the structure;
and explaining the significance of the structure and the need to avoid damaging the
building or removing artifacts.
Any stabilization or repair should be done using in-kind materials and techniques,
and in a manner which does not alter the characteristics of the building. The building
should be monitored on a regular basis to look for signs of deterioration or changing
conditions, and appropriate mitigation or maintenance measures taken when
necessary.
STRUCTURE 2, DUGOUT
Description: This building is a small dugout, built into a gentle, east-facing slope. It is
poorly constructed. The site is fairly rough, with coarse, gravelly soil. The building
measures approximately 11 ½ feet by 13 ½ feet. It is built from wood, with heavy timber
post and beam framing, set directly on grade. The building has a very low slope shed
roof, built from wood planks, and covered with approximately 5 inches of earth and
gravel. The center of the roof is supported by a beam, which is supported on the ends,
as well as on a post in the middle of the structure. The walls are built from wood
planks, attached to the outside of the frame, then backfilled on the sides built into the
hill. The exposed side walls (and part of the front), above the level of the backfill, are
covered with dry stacked stone, piled against the wood. There is no floor structure or
foundation, but the floor is covered with modern carpeting directly on the dirt.
There is a square hole in the roof that may have been for a wood stove flue. There is a
2 x 4 mast attached to the front of the structure, as well as some other 2 inch thick
boards attached to the walls, that may have served as braces or supports for the walls
or roof. There is also a metal pipe attached to the rear of the structure, which may
have also been a mast.
The single door, hand-built from planks and wood braces, is hung in a hand-built
wood frame with crude wood trim. There are several porcelain insulators from a
knob and tube electrical system, as well as one light fixture. Several wood shelves that
have been built into the interior of the building and now contain a wide variety of
historic and modern objects. There is a green easy chair in the doorway, and other
objects and trash cover the floor.
Condition: This building is in poor condition. It is threatened by weathering and

deterioration due to neglect, and its poor construction contributes to the problems.
The roof appears to be near collapse, from deterioration of the wood, warping and
displacement of the planking, and deflection from the weight of the soil on top of it.
The walls have similar problems—the planks have been damaged by moisture, and
several of the planks are warped (or otherwise distorted), loose, or displaced. The
post and beam structure appears to be in better condition, and more stable. The
braces that have been installed on the walls are not doing any good. They have been
pushed away from the walls by the movement of the wood planks. The stone wall
covering is eroding and collapsing.
The door is also weathered and deteriorating. The planks used as cross braces are
warped and loose, and the door is distorted. The door is not operable (although this
may be due to the amount of trash on the floor). The carpet that covers the earth
floor is very deteriorated, and the floor is covered with rodent nests, as well as
historic and modern trash. There are only remnants of the electrical system present.
Recommendations: The highest priorities are to stabilize the structure to prevent

collapse, to protect the building from environmental threats, and to protect the
public from dangerous conditions. The roof and walls, as well as the other wood
elements, should be carefully inspected and repaired. Inspection may require
temporary removal of the fill on the roof, and the dirt against the structure. Repairs
should include repair or replacement of missing or damaged roof and wall planks,
reattachment of loose planks, and repair or replacement of severely deteriorated
wood structural elements. Once these repairs are completed, the dirt should be
reinstalled, including reinstallation of the stone piled against the exterior walls. The
site should be regraded avoid erosion and to facilitate drainage around the building.
Any regrading should be monitored by an archeologist.
The site and the interior of the building should be cleaned up, and modern trash
(including the carpeting) or hazardous materials should be removed. The door and
frame should be repaired, including reattachment of loose planks and bracing. The
door should be made operational, if possible. Exposed exterior wood could be
treated with a wood preservative, and sealed.

necessary.
STRUCTURE 3, PRIVY
Description: This building is a small single seat privy, measuring approximately 3 feet
by 4 feet. It is situated on a very gentle slope, at the foot of a hill. The soil is coarse and
gravelly, with rocks and cobbles. This building is built entirely of wood, with
frameless construction, and has a low pitched shed roof. The roof is built from 1 x 6
boards, which overhang the walls. There is no roof covering over the boards. The
walls are built from vertical tongue-and-groove siding, with diagonal braces on the
outside of the side walls, and a horizontal brace on the rear wall. There are small,
decorative diamond-shaped cutouts on the north and south faces that let in light and
air without compromising privacy. The floor is built from 1 x 6 boards, on 2 x 4 joists,
which in turn sit on a grid of two 2 x 4’s sitting directly on grade, and spanning the pit.
The roof, wall, and floorboards are tied together with horizontal frames at the top
and bottom of the walls, built from 2-inch thick boards.
The bench/seat top is built from wood planks, and front of the bench/seat is tongue-
and-groove. Originally, there was a small stoop/deck on the front of the building,
built by extending the interior floorboards out over 2 x 4 supports. Most of this is
gone, now. The pit extends out on either side of the structure. Originally it was
covered with planks that were in turn covered with rocks and soil. Some of this
material still remains. There is a heavy timber brace on the south wall, wedged against
the siding of the building and a rock on the ground. The door is missing; two metal
hinges and a wooden latch are still in place.
Condition: Overall, this building is in fair condition. It is threatened by structural

failure and weathering. The roof boards are very weathered and deteriorated,
cracked, warped, and loose, but basically still intact. The tongue-and-groove on the
walls is also weathered, but is in relatively good shape, as are the braces applied to the
surface. Some of the siding boards are loose. The floorboards and structure are
weathered and in fair condition, but they are reasonably solid. The stoop is very
deteriorated, and has almost fallen completely apart. The side supports remain, but
the front support is gone, as are most of the floorboards, which have broken off. The
remaining wood is very weathered and deteriorated.

The building is leaning to the north, which may be exacerbated by the heavy timber
brace that has been wedged against the south wall. The brace is also bending and
damaging the two siding boards it is in contact with, as well as threatening the
integrity of the wall. There is a large pack rat nest inside of the building. The door is
missing, although some of the hardware remains.
Recommendations: The highest priorities for this building are to stabilize the
structure, to protect it from environmental threats, and to protect the public from
unsafe conditions. The brace on the south should be removed, and the structure
straightened back to plumb. All of the nailed connections should be closely
inspected, including the attachment of the roof, siding, and floor boards, and re-
nailed if they are loose. The building should be re-braced only if necessary. The
remaining pieces of the stoop should be reattached, supported, and braced to prevent
further collapse. The roof boards, siding boards, floorboards, joists and supporting
framing should be carefully inspected, and any members that are damaged or
deteriorated beyond repair should be replaced. The same should be done for the
wood used over the pit on the sides of the building, and the bench/seat. Exposed
wood could be treated with a wood preservative, and sealed. The pack rat nest should
be removed.

necessary.
STRUCTURE 8, MILL
Description: There are currently 2 levels of framing left to the mill. Only the framing
remains—none of the wall coverings or roofing are still present. The upper portion is
made of very heavy timber that might be redwood, while the lower portion that
housed the stamps is of smaller wood members. The upper stories are gone, as are all
the various levels of tanks and the two structures that used to be below. The wheels
for the belts that ran the stamps are still in place, as is a large metal bin opening to a
vertical chute that extends the height of the lower part of the mill.
The upper part of the mill is supported by 7 1/2 by 15 inch heavy timbers lying directly
on grade, which in turn consists of gravel on a terraced area and bedrock. The
timbers of the lower section are smaller, measuring 5 x 5 inches, and rest on grade as
well. The south wall is the only exception, as its timbers are supported by a low
retaining wall that runs the length of the structure east/west. A 5 x 5-inch member lies
across the top of this wall, supporting the uprights for the south wall of the mill. The

floor of the upper level has two overlapping layers of 2 x 12-inch planks on 7 1/2 x 15-
inch joists. There is a large pile of ore on this floor.
The lower level consists of smaller sections of 2 x 12-inch planks nailed on to 2 x 4’s (6
x 6’s at the walls) that are resting on the grade or on blocks. There are small areas of
poured concrete as well. From the historic photographs it is known that the roof
over this portion of the structure was a gable roof (the section of the mill over which
there was a hipped roof is now missing). Other than the framing for the gables and a
few rafters on the east side, none of the original roof structure remains. There is a
"ceiling" for the lower portion of 2 x 12 planks on 4 x 6 beams. At some point
between 1983 and 2001, metal cables supporting various timbers and pieces of
machinery were installed.
There are some large pieces of metal piping around the mill, but none are still in
place. The electrical system is also almost completely disassembled, and is
represented by fragments of wire in the artifact scatter around the structure and the
occasional insulator still in place on the wood framing.
Condition: Overall, the structure is in fair condition. The metal cables that were
installed still look secure and seem to have helped preserve the structure in its current
stable state. The stone retaining wall serving as a foundation for the south wall of the
lower section is high above the platform below and could only be assessed from a
distance, but it appears to be in stable condition. The 5 x 5-inch wood piece across the
top of this wall has a segment near the southwest corner of the structure that was
burned through, but it does not threaten the overall stability of the structure.
There is one plank at the northwest corner of the upper level that is badly warped,
but all other members appear solid. There is a large pile of ore in the middle of the
floor of the upper level. There is no buckling or other indication that this weight is a
problem, but it might be increasing the deterioration of the tops of the floorboards by
trapping moisture against them. The lower level is in worse condition. There is a
large section where the 2 x 12 planks are missing, and other areas where they are
buckling or coming loose and collapsing between the joists. While the cavity
underneath does not appear deep, it might be enough to be an underfoot hazard.
Some of the 2 x 4’s no longer have adequate support. The tops of the poured
concrete areas are deteriorating slightly.
The heavy timber framing for the walls is still in place, but the wall covering is
missing. There is a horizontal piece of framing on the east side of the mill on the
lower level that is no longer attached to its support and is swinging free. There is
another loose piece in the interior of the mill that has detached at the top and is
cracked in the middle. While it appears secure at the bottom, its height and exposure
make it a potential safety hazard. There is another piece hanging loose off the ore

chute between the upper and lower parts of the mill. A few pieces of corrugated
metal from the walls are still in place and all but one are still secure. The loose one is
high at the top of the south wall and may be difficult to reach. The original wall
braces are holding up well—they are sound and secure in their footings. The remains
of the roof framing are structurally sound, even if they are missing the roof deck and
covering.
Recommendations: The stone retaining wall supporting the south wall of the mill
should be monitored on a 5–year cycle, as should the rest of the structure. The large
pile of ore on the floor of the upper level should be removed. The unsupported 2 x
4’s in the floor of the lower level should be provided with support to maintain the
integrity of the floor. There are structural repairs needed to secure the loose pieces
of framing, and these should be considered a high priority because of the threat to
structural integrity and the safety hazard they currently represent. One piece in
particular has a lot of weight dependent on its support, including the last remnants of
the gable roof structure, and its repair would help maintain all those parts of the
structure dependent on it. The set of wooden steps that were removed from their
original position and placed against the north wall by visitors should be removed
from that location so no one is injured in the process of using them to climb the
upper portion of the mill.

STRUCTURE 9, BLACKSMITH SHOP
Description: This structure was a small one-room blacksmith shop, measuring

approximately 10 by 12 feet. It was built on a terraced area cut into a gentle slope, in
front of a mine opening. The soil is a coarse sand and gravel mix.
The roof and east wall have collapsed completely, and the other walls are in the
process of collapsing. The roof was a low-pitched shed roof, with 2x4 joists covered
with wood boards. No roofing remains on top of the boards. Although the roof has
collapsed, some of the deck boards are still supported by the walls and have since
sagged into exaggerated U-shapes. The walls are frameless, constructed with vertical
1 x 12 boards and battens, nailed to horizontal 2-inch thick boards at the bottom,
middle, and top of the walls. The battens consist of miscellaneous pieces of wood,
including pieces of tongue-and-groove. The floor appears to have been earth. There
are no visible foundations—the walls appear to sit directly on grade, except for the
north wall, which sits on some flat stones.
There was one window and one door. The window had a manufactured frame, with
the glazing set in caulk. (Photographic documentation from 1983 shows the glass to be
broken at that time). The hand-built, Z-brace, board-and-batten door has been
removed from its frame, and it is now lying on the ground in front of the building.
Hinge sections are present both on the door and the frame. There is another small
opening in the west wall, but there is no evidence that it had an actual window.
There is no evidence that there ever was any plumbing or mechanical system. The
only evidence for electricity is some cloth-covered wire on the floor. No insulators
are visible, but the current state of collapse may be hiding them from view. Still
visible through the doorway are a wooden worktable, the forge, and the wooden
stand for the anvil.
Condition: This building is in poor condition, and has lost much of its integrity. It is
threatened by structural failure, weathering, and vandalism. The building poses a
safety hazard to visitors, and its condition invites vandalism.
All of the exposed wood is weathered and deteriorated. The roof has collapsed,
falling into the building. The east wall has also collapsed, falling to the outside of the
building. This collapse has happened since the building was documented in 1983. The
remaining walls are in the process of separating, collapsing, and pushing each other
over in combination with the collapsed roof. The forge was impacted by the collapse
of the roof, but the table was spared.
The window is weathered and deteriorated, and the glass is broken out. The door is
lying on the ground in front of the structure, and is currently half-buried in the earth
and debris. It is warped, rotting, and otherwise deteriorating, and is being further
damaged by visitors walking on it.
Although the immediate site is littered with collapsed construction, there is little
other trash. The erosional debris and fill against the south and west walls is hastening
their deterioration. There is evidence of a small fire having charred the site in front of

the building, as well as some burned wood, but no fire ring. There is a pack rat nest
under the collapsing north wall.
Recommendations: This structure is at a critical juncture where it could still be

stabilized if the work is done immediately. Otherwise, it will completely collapse. If
stabilization is undertaken, it should include removal of the collapsed portions of the
roof (which are putting pressure on the remaining walls), straightening and bracing
the remaining walls, and reattaching the walls to each other. Exterior wood could be
treated with a preservative and sealed, once the building is stabilized.
The forge could be repaired and stabilized, depending on how seriously it is

damaged—which will be obvious once the collapsed roof is removed. The door
should be removed from the ground, and placed in a location above ground where it
will shed water, and not be trampled.
The building and immediate site do not require much cleanup, but the pack rat nest
should be removed from the inside of the building. Evidence of fires and burned
wood should be removed, so others aren’t encouraged to have more fires on site, or
to fuel them with wood from the building. The erosional debris and fill should also be
removed from the base of the walls, and the immediate site should be regraded to
provide positive drainage away from the building. Any removal of fill or regrading
should be monitored bt an archeologist.

necessary.
COLLAPSED/BURNED/REMOVED STRUCTURES
STRUCTURE 4, SHED
Description: This structure has collapsed; only portions of the floor and walls
remain. It is visible standing in the 1983 monitoring photographs; it collapsed in the
interval between 1983 and 2001. Currently, the structure appears to have been 15 feet
9 inches east-west, and approximately 6 feet 6 inches north-south. There is a 4 x 4
wood piece in the structural debris that may have been one of the posts for the open
area visible in photographs from the 1978 site visit by Greene. There was no
foundation—the floor joists were laid directly on grade at 2-foot intervals and planks
nailed on top. One section of the floor was earthen. What is visible of the north wall
suggests that the portion surrounding the wooden floor was of stick-framed upright
planks with a crosspiece nailed diagonally to the exterior. The section enclosing the

earthen floor appears to have had stick-framed, horizontal planks. The construction
and covering of the other three walls is unknown. The photograph taken by Greene
in 1978 shows a shed roof. From the remains on the ground it appears that it was
stick-framed with 2 x 4s with irregular spacing with a roof deck of 3/4 x 11 inch planks.
There does not appear to have been a separate ceiling. There are no remains of any
plumbing or mechanical heating or cooling system. There are no insulators or wiring
fixtures visible, but there is a long segment of cloth-covered wire entwined in the
structural debris that was probably part of an electrical system.
Conditions and Recommendations: The structure has collapsed and only portions
of the floor and walls remain. The floor is directly exposed to weathering, but seems
to be in at least fair condition. Deterioration will accelerate since the collapse, but the
joists will probably protect the planks from contact with the ground surface. There is
always the possibility that visitors will use the wood in their campfires. The structure
should be monitored, especially for loss of wood to campfires. If the remains are to
be preserved, the floor joists should be monitored and replaced as necessary to
protect the rest of the structure from direct contact with the ground.
STRUCTURE 5
Description: This structure has completely collapsed and its components are
scattered in the immediate vicinity of the leveled area on which it was constructed. It
appears to have been a 1-room cabin. There was no foundation, just framing placed
directly on a leveled terrace on the side of a slope. Even the floor joists (2 x 4’s spaced
33 inches apart) were resting on the grade. Remnants of 3/4 x 12-inch planks are
indicative of the flooring. They are very weathered. It appears that much of the
wood was scavenged, but parts of the east wall lie on the slope below and a section
that may be the roof lies several meters to the southeast. The wall has 2 x 4 studs and
more of the 12-inch wide planks attached horizontally to the exterior. There does not
appear to have been a finished interior surface. The debris to the southeast was
determined to be the roof on the basis that the roof is something winds could have
carried that far, and also because of the nature of the wood members present. There
are 2 x 6-inch rafters, 3/4 x 3-inch tongue-and-groove pieces as a deck, and very
fragmentary, thin pieces that may have been wood shingles. They are notched part
way down their length. The remains of an electrical system in the form of cloth-
covered copper wire, aluminum wire, and insulators are present attached to the
collapsed wall. Associated artifacts are primarily domestic in nature.
Condition and Recommendations: The structure is completely collapsed and is

beyond repair. No impacts were identified and no treatments were recommended.
STRUCTURE 6, BURNED TWO-STORY BUILDING
Description: This is a leveled area with a series of retaining walls that once supported
a 2-story wooden house visible in the historic photograph. The stone retaining walls
and wooden walls of the structure are discernable; however the original roofing
material is not. There is a large amount of charcoal, melted glass and other burned

artifacts indicating that the structure burned, though the date is unknown. The two
retaining walls are both L-shaped and constructed of coursed, dry-laid local stone
masonry. The lower wall is 27 feet east-west, 17 feet north-south, and 1 foot 8 inches
tall. The upper wall is 25 feet east-west, 29 feet north-south, and 4 feet tall. The
actual foundation is a rectangle of mounded earth, though it is not clear if the
structure sat directly on the earth or if there were piers or other supports. The earth
platform is 37 feet east-west by 29 feet north-south. Large artifacts in the area include
two metal bed frames, two metal wood-burning cooking stoves, part of a deck chair,
and a file cabinet drawer. A rock alignment is located a few yards to the east further
along the bank of the gully. It is two courses in some places, dry-laid, 15 feet long, and
2 feet high.
Condition and Recommendations: The structure burned to the ground at an

unknown date, and only the stone retaining walls and earth foundation are in
evidence. The remaining stone retaining walls are currently stable. No treatments
are recommended other than monitoring and repair of the retaining walls as
necessary.
STRUCTURE 7, COLLAPSED PRIVY
Description: The privy now consists of a hole 6 by 7 feet wide and about 3 feet deep,
and the collapsed remains of the wooden superstructure. It appears as though the
structure blew over off the pit and deteriorated where it lay; vandalism may have
contributed to the collapse as well. This structure was probably similar to the other
privy (Structure 3) on the site in that it was probably frameless with tongue-and-
groove walls.
Condition and Recommendations: The structure has completely collapsed. The

hole is slowly filling in, and a packrat has built a nest under some of the lumber. The
wood, while weathered, is actually in pretty sound condition and will probably
remain so as water drains around the area rather than through it. There are no
treatments recommended.
STRUCTURE 10, REMOVED STRUCTURE
Description: This structure is visible in the historic photograph but is non-existent

now; it appears to have been removed, as there is no debris from a collapse. It had an
irregular floor plan and covered two levels, both of which were supported with dry-
laid, semi-coursed walls of local stone. Currently there are two platforms (an upper
and lower) and two retaining walls. The upper platform is created by a retaining wall
(Wall 9) 30 feet long and 7 feet high. It is directly below the southwest corner of
Retaining Walls 6 and 7, and runs roughly parallel to them. There is a space 3 feet
wide and 5 feet long where the top layer of the wall forms a chute. The lower

platform is 17 feet wide and 28 feet long, and is retained by a stone wall of similar
construction (Wall 10 B) that is 28 feet long and nearly 3 feet high.
Condition and Recommendations: The structure was located near the bottom of a
drainage, and consequently the remaining retaining walls are suffering from erosion.
The cyanide tailings it contains are being washed down the drainage, and the walls
are being structurally undermined. An effort should be made to slow the force of the
water even if the drainage cannot be diverted entirely, and the walls should be
monitored and structurally repaired when necessary (as much to retaining the
cyanide tailings as for historic preservation reasons).
FEATURE 5, ORE BIN AND TRESTLE
Description: This structure, now almost entirely collapsed, was once a large ore bin.
A series of wooden planks led from one of the mine openings to the edge of the waste
rock platform and from there across a trestle, which led to the top of the ore bin.
Currently, the ore bin is represented by a large pile of timbers and ore in the middle
of the road that went up the canyon. The planks from the mill opening, and part of
the trestle that delivered the ore to the bin are also present. The collapse has
occurred in the period since Greene's 1978 visit. It appears that the structure may
have collapsed in the interval between 1978 and 1983, but the structure is too distant to
be certain in the monitoring photograph taken in 1983.
Condition: The ore bin is now almost entirely collapsed, and was described as such
in the 1997 LCS report. The remains of the trestle need maintenance, mostly as a
result of damage during the collapse. The nails are pulling out, wood is splitting, and
pieces are becoming displaced. One 2 x 12-inch plank has only been kept from sliding
downhill because one of its nails caught on a crosspiece on the way down.
Recommendations: The structure is collapsed and needs little the way of

maintenance. The loose plank on the trestle could easily be slid back into place and
secured, however, and the other two remaining planks should receive additional
maintenance at the same time. The position of the trestle on the side of the steep
waste rock could also be strengthened, either by bracing from below or anchoring
from above. A little preventative maintenance would go a long way towards
preserving this last relatively intact component of this structure.
PLATFORMS
PLATFORM 1
Description: This 8 x 12-foot platform of earth was cut into a slight bank. A low
stone alignment encloses the northwest corner.
Condition and Recommendations: The surface is almost entirely free of even small
stones, and there are virtually no artifacts, suggesting that this platform and the others
around it have been used extensively for camping by visitors and that some

unauthorized artifact collection has taken place. Overall, the platform is stable.
Camping and unauthorized artifact collecting should be discouraged.
PLATFORM 2
Description: This is a rectangular platform 30 by 14 feet. It is north of the cabin and

dugout and just off the road to the mine. The east side is defined by a rough retaining
wall of local stone about 1 foot 6 inches high.
Condition and Recommendations: There are two modern fire pits, one at each end
of the platform, that have a lot of modern trash. Visitors are clearly using the area for
camping. Otherwise the platform is stable. Camping should be discouraged, the fire
pits should be dismantled, and the ashes scattered to deter possible continued
burning of wood from the structures.
PLATFORM 3
Description: This is a 9 x 14-foot platform composed of a leveled area cut into a

gentle slope with low borders of fill and rocks around three sides. There is a wooden
stake in one corner and a deteriorated wood piece by it that suggests there may have
been a wood component. The presence of an insulator suggests there was once
electricity. The concentration of wood splinters along the east edge may have been a
wooden folding cot. There is a lot of historic trash in it.
Condition and Recommendations: The presence of vegetation and a higher number

of artifacts suggests this platform is not being used for camping as the others are, but
artifact collection is still a real possibility and should be discouraged.
PLATFORM 4
Description: Platform 4 is a 20 by 15-foot platform rimmed with stones that act as

retaining walls on the north and east sides. An elevated path leads up to the east side.
Condition and Recommendations: The area is probably experiencing use as a

campsite by visitors and some unauthorized artifact collection has no doubt taken
place, but it is otherwise stable. Artifact collection should be discouraged.
PLATFORMS 5 A AND B
Description: Platforms A and B are adjacent to one another. Platform A measures 17

by 19 feet; Platform B measures 11 by 19 feet and has a linear rock alignment on the east
side. There is an iron stove on Platform B.
Condition and Recommendations: There is a small amount of modern trash in the

area and some evidence that people use the platforms for camping. The platform is
essentially stable. Camping and littering should be discouraged.

PLATFORM 6
Description: The 12-foot square tent platform is located near the top of the saddle at
the south end of the site. A cut bank and a cleared and leveled area distinguish the
platform. Just below it, but not part of it, is an L-shaped stone retaining wall 12 feet
long and 1 foot high, and further down is a small, semi-circular rock alignment 4 feet
long.
Condition and Recommendations: There is evidence that runoff from the platform
area is impacting the wall; several of its stones have been displaced. The tent platform
is probably subject to continued use by visitors, but this does not appear to
compromise its structural integrity; however, artifact collection and vandalism
(broken dishes, etc.) are probably ongoing problems. The rock alignment is stable.
The water affecting the retaining wall should be diverted.
PLATFORM 7
Description: The 15 by 20-foot platform was formed by leveling a terrace on the side
of a slope. There is no indication that a structure ever occupied it. It might have been
a tent platform or it might have been associated with Structure 6, just a yard or so to
the north. There are no stone alignments or wood. There are multiple cut wire nails
but these, like the melted glass and possibly the metal cook stove, may be from
Structure 6.
Condition and Recommendations: The only impact is the trail visitors use to access
the platform and it is wearing down the cut bank slightly. No treatments are
recommended.

PLATFORM 8
Description: The 8 x 12-foot platform is on a gentle slope east of Platform 5B and

south of Platform 7. There is no indication that it ever supported a structure. It was
probably for a tent or associated with Structure 6 in some way.
Condition and Recommendations: The only active impact is visitation in the form
of trampling and possible camping, and they do not actively threaten the platform.
No treatments are recommended.
OTHER FEATURES
FEATURE 1
Description: This is a wooden frame with a few large rocks nearby situated in the
saddle at the south end of the site. It is unknown if it supported anything. It was not
dug out underneath like an outhouse, but there is a piece of rubber/cloth covered
aluminum wire immediately nearby. A railroad spike still remains in one of the ties.
The old road that passes Structure 1 comes up to it and stops.
Condition: The wooden frame is exposed to the elements but is in sound condition.
Recommendations: No treatments are recommended.
FEATURE 2
Description: This is a series of twenty-five pipes of various diameters that were

placed on large 8 x 8-inch timbers to keep them off the ground at the base of the
hillside on which the mill was located. A gully through the cyanide waste is just to the
north. Interestingly, the profile of the gully bank shows a layer of red cyanide waste
below the gray fill the pipes are currently resting on, suggesting that some of the
material excavated from the mines was deposited over the waste before the pipes
were then placed there.
Condition: The gully through the cyanide waste has undercut one of the supports,
leaving it and the pipes hanging off the edge. If the erosion is allowed to continue, it
will further undermine the northernmost 8 x 8-inch member and eventually it and the
pipes will end up in the wash.
Recommendations: Erosion control would prevent further undercutting and

dislocation of the pipes and the wooden supports. It would be a good idea to slow
erosion in this area anyway, as it would keep the cyanide waste from washing
downstream and out of the canyon. A series of checkdams might work best. At the
very least, the 8 x 8-inch member should be moved so its end is supported, but this is
only a temporary fix.

FEATURE 3
Description: This feature consists of a pile of lumber situated on wood and metal
scraps, and four heavy timber posts with crosspieces between them and two 2 x 4’s
that extend up about 8 feet on the southeast and southwest corners with corrugated
metal on the north and south "walls". There is evidence that the metal may have once
wrapped all around, and it is equally probable that the large pieces of corrugated
metal used to keep some of the lumber off the ground were taken from it. It does not
appear to have been an outhouse as it is not dug out and there is no evidence of any
taller members. The lumber is piled on crosspieces on the grade, and is mostly 3/4 x
12, with some 4 x 4 1/2, 4 x 12, and 2 x 4-inch pieces in the mix.
Conditions: The upright posts are leaning downhill somewhat, as the support posts
were sunk into loose fill. The corrugated metal is detaching from the wood. The
lumber is weathered, but otherwise sound; some of the lumber is sliding into the gully
in the cyanide waste and some is putting weight on the upright posts.
Recommendations: The corrugated metal needs to be nailed back down. The

upright posts should be monitored and repaired or braced if the leaning gets worse.
The wood sliding down into the gully in the cyanide waste should be moved back on
top of the main pile to take the weight out of the upright posts and better preserve the
wood.
FEATURE 4
Description: What remains of this feature are seven 8½ x 8½-inch posts, a large ring
of thin wood slats nailed together at least thirteen deep, and other pieces of scattered
lumber, metal pipes, and artifacts. It sits atop a pile of red cyanide waste; this was
probably the very tall tank visible in the historic photograph.
Condition and Recommendations: Except for weathering of the wood and erosion
of the cyanide waste, the area seems stable. A large rock has fallen on one of the
wood posts and split off of a piece of it, but this is not an ongoing, treatable impact.
No treatments are recommended.

FEATURE 6
Description: The feature is a semi-circular stone platform measuring 12 feet long, 8

feet wide, and 3 feet in height. It is constructed of roughly-coursed, dry-laid
unshaped stones. The platform extends out of the sloping side of a hill to create a flat
area. The platform is just west of the mill and tank platform area, and can be found
off of the trail that leads back into the canyon where the mines are located.
Condition: The platform is impacted by erosion and differential fill, but is relatively
stable.
WALL 1 AND TANK PLATFORM 1
Description: This is the highest platform above the Lost Burro Mill, and probably
held a tank visible in the historic photograph. It is defined by a retaining wall and a
southeast-facing area that was blasted out of the bedrock. The platform measures 25
by 20 feet. The wall is of dry-laid, uncoursed, unshaped local stone. It measures 25
feet in length, eighteen of which run east-west and seven of which run northeast-
southwest. It is 3 feet 4 inches tall.
Condition and Recommendations: The main problems are with the retaining wall.
There is some differential fill weight, and there is some basal erosion and
undercutting. This wall should be maintained as its collapse could potentially
damage other features below it. Wedging and other maintenance should be done as
needed.
RETAINING WALLS 2 A AND B
Description: Wall A is constructed of semi-coursed, dry-laid stone, gravel, and rock

fall that goes down the hillside to retain a path above the mill. A couple of wood
beams have been placed horizontally in the wall for extra support. Wall B is below
Wall A, but intersects it. It is of similar construction. They are both associated with
the mill and a series of other retaining walls and platforms that step up and down the
hillside around the mill itself.
Condition and Recommendations: The walls are fairly stable. There is some
erosion in a few places, but it is minor. No treatments are recommended.

RETAINING WALL 3 AND TANK PLATFORM 2
Description: This leveled earth platform was created by blasting an area out of the
bedrock and by leveling an area with a dry-laid retaining wall of unshaped local stone
on the north side. It measures 20 by 22 feet and is 45 inches high. On the platform are
ten metal tank hoops 20 feet in diameter. Some have fallen over the edge. Also in the
area are various wood scraps, 30 or more cut wire nails of various sizes, and a guy
wire that is anchored by some rocks or has been partially buried by rock fall.
Condition: The platform is stable and the wall is in good condition, with no erosion
and no damage yet resulting from the differential fill load inherent in the retaining
wall.
Recommendations: There are no recommended treatments.
Description: This platform is just below Platform 2, and measures 30 by 23 feet. It is

supported by a retaining wall 25 feet long and 6 feet high that was built up on larger
fall from the blasting of the platform area. There is a metal tank hoop that has fallen
from Platform 2, 30-40 cut wire nails, some pieces wood, a piece of cast iron pipe, and
some possible guy wires present.
Condition and Recommendations: There is a fire ring on the southwest side of the
platform, suggesting visitors have used it for camping. Other than this mild impact,
the area is stable and the wall is in good condition. No treatments are needed.
TANK PLATFORMS 4 A AND B
Description: There are two platforms in this area, one on top of the other. One
measures 24 by 10 feet and the other 36 by 26 feet. The lower platform is a rounded
area of leveled waste rock and loose debris. There is no formal retaining wall present.
The upper platform is another area of leveled waste rock and loose rock with no wall,
and is about 7 feet high. It does not appear to have ever supported a structure and
may be where loose rock was left when the tank on the lower platform was removed.
The platforms are immediately to the northwest of the mill.
Condition: The two platforms are experiencing no impacts.

Description: The platform is just west of the upper portion of the mill. It is created
by a stepped retaining wall that incorporates some of the bedrock outcrops in its
structure. The stepped portion of the wall is 17 feet long and the distance between the
two segments is 24 inches at its widest point. Both walls are roughly coursed and dry-
stacked with gravel and earthen fill behind them. On the platform, which measures
42 by 14 feet, are various pieces of lumber, possibly from the mill. The pile of lumber
measures 14 x 15 feet and covers at least one wood-framed concrete foundation slab
and possibly two. Also present are a dislocated set of wooden steps and a wood
construction that looks like a wide chute, presumably from the mill.
Condition and Recommendations: Overall the platform and walls are stable. No
treatments are recommended.
TANK PLATFORM 6
Description: The leveled earth platform is 20 by 20 feet and located 27 feet

southwest of the mill. A small, leveled path connects them. The platform is roughly
circular and essentially a leveled debris pile. There is no retaining wall supporting it.
There are about twenty-five 10-foot diameter tank hoops present.
Condition and Recommendations: One side of the platform is slightly eroded, but
this is not threatening its overall integrity. There are no treatment recommendations.
Description: This 47 by 90-f00t platform was leveled into the hillside just below the
mill structure. In order to create the platform, bedrock was blasted out of the hill, the
ground was leveled, and a retaining wall 95 feet long and 7 feet high was constructed.
Two smaller platforms were also created, one on each side of the main platform area.
These are supported by rockfall. A smaller retaining wall 16 feet long and 3 feet high
was constructed on the western platform to create another, smaller platform. Most
of it is now covered with eroded earth, gravel, and rock. The main platform has a
wood chute 19 feet long and 11 inches wide projecting off it over lower platform levels.
There is a large pile of wood pieces in the northwest corner, probably the remains of
wooden tanks visible in the historic photograph.

Condition and Recommendations: The platform area and retaining walls appear to
be structurally sound. The entire area is covered with cyanide waste. The presence
of a modern fire ring on the platform indicates that visitors have camped on the
tailings in the past. A safety sign should be considered, as it is probable that people
do not know what the cyanide waste is and don't understand its potential hazard.
RETAINING WALL 8
Description: The retaining wall is 71 feet long and 6 feet 6 inches high. It is
composed of six to seven courses of semi-coursed, dry-laid local stone supported
both by bedrock and loose fill. It is directly below Retaining Wall 6 and in some cases
only a few feet from it.
Condition: There are areas of basal erosion that threaten the stability of the wall.
The northeast end is washed out and is being used as a path by visitors.
Recommendations: The areas of the wall experiencing basal erosion should be

repaired, and the northeast end rebuilt. While not a historic feature, creating even a
rough path for visitors would alleviate much of the ongoing damage to that end of the
wall.
RETAINING WALLS 10 A
Description: This is a stone retaining wall of dry-laid, semi-coursed local stone. It

measures 11 feet long and 1 foot 6 inches high. For information on Wall 10B, refer to
Structure 10.
Condition and Recommendations: The wall is near the bottom of the drainage, and
consequently is suffering from erosion. The cyanide waste it contains is being
washed down the drainage, and therefore it is being structurally undermined. An
effort should be made to slow the force of the water even if the drainage cannot be
diverted entirely, and the wall should be monitored and structurally repaired when
necessary. This should be done as much to retaining the cyanide waste as for historic
preservation reasons.
RETAINING WALL 11
Description: This wall is across the wash from the starting point of the road retaining
wall at the base of the drainage. It supports the base of the hillside and retains by-
products from mining activities such as the cyanide waste from flowing into the wash.
The wall is constructed of semi-coursed, dry-laid, local stones. There is a pit area just
to the north of the wall as well.
Condition and Recommendations: The wall is in good condition and appears

stable. Given its position in the drainage, the wall should be inspected on a regular
basis and repaired as necessary.

RETAINING WALL 12
Please refer to the section on the Road and Road Retaining Wall after the section
Retaining Wall 16.
RETAINING WALL 13
Description: The is a retaining wall 30 feet long and 4 feet tall and is constructed
from semi-coursed, dry-laid local stone. The wall retains waste rock from an adit in
the drainage to the west of the mill.
Condition and Recommendations: The wall is in good condition and appears to be

stable. Given the wall’s location on the side of a steep slope, it should be inspected
on a regular basis.
RETAINING WALL 14
Description: This wall is constructed above and around the entrance of an adit. It is
30 feet long, and varies from 1-3 feet in height. It is made up of dry-laid, semi-coursed
local stone.
Condition and Recommendations: The wall has suffered from erosion and general
neglect, but is currently stable. The wall needs to be inspected on a regular basis and
repaired should it deteriorate further.
RETAINING WALL 15
Description: The retaining wall is 9 feet long and 4 feet high. It is constructed of dry-
laid, semi-coursed, local stone. It is located in the drainage.
Condition and Recommendations: The uppermost course of the wall has collapsed
in a few areas. The wall should be rebuilt, but the deterioration rate is slow and
reconstruction should not be a high priority. It should be inspected on a regular basis
and repaired should it deteriorate further.
RETAINING WALL 16
Description: This small wall measures 12 feet long and 1-1/2 feet high, and retains a
portion of a pathway. The wall is constructed of semi-coursed, dry-laid local stone.
The pathway leads towards the back of the canyon.
Condition and Recommendations: The wall appears stable and in good condition.
The wall should be be inspected on a regular basis and repaired should it deteriorate.

ROAD AND ROAD RETAINING WALL (RETAINING WALL 12)
Description: This retaining wall was built up the canyon to support the road that
ascended to the mill from the housing area. Constructed of unshaped, semi-coursed,
dry-laid local stone, it is 412 feet long, 2 feet wide, and ranges in height from 1 foot 6
inches to 5 feet.
Condition and Recommendations: Due to its position in the canyon, the wall has
suffered from some minor erosion—more in areas where it crosses the canyon than
where it runs along one side. Its function as a retaining wall by definition implies
some differential fill, but this has not caused serious problems as of yet. It should be
inspected on a regular basis and wedged or otherwise repaired if structural problems
develop.
DITCH
Description: The ditch was dug to aid in diverting water and cyanide waste across an
alluvial finger to the next drainage to the north, away from the housing area. It is 130
feet long, 2 feet wide, and ranges in depth from 3 inches to nearly 4 feet, mostly as a
result of a combination of silting and sedimentation at the upper end and erosion and
gullying at the lower end.
Condition and Recommendations: Cyanide waste has plugged the upper end and
overflowed out onto the fan below. The lower end, in contrast, is suffering from
erosion and is rapidly expanding into a gully as all the water running down the fan
above it is diverted into it. Some erosion control measures in the form of a series of
small checkdams would be advisable to slow the force of the water and minimize the
expansion of the rapidly forming gully.
PIPELINE
Description: The pipeline once ran all the way up the canyon from below. There is
evidence of it starting at Check dam 2 and running over a small finger of a hill, across
the road and down the main wash. Much of the pipe itself is buried; what is most in
evidence now is a linear cleared area that looks like a narrow path. A 100-foot section
of pipe has been exposed as the lower end by the road and wash, and about 40 or 50
feet of it has been displaced. A 9-foot long rock alignment, another row of rocks at
the top of the hill finger, and two rock cairns appear to be associated with it.
Condition and Recommendations: The pipeline has been exposed in one section
and some pipe displaced, but overall it remains buried and stable. No treatments are
recommended.

CHECKDAM 1
Description: The check dam is constructed of uncoursed, dry-laid, unshaped local

stone across the gully in the cyanide waste that drains the upper part of the canyon in
which the Lost Burro Mine and Mill are located. It originally spanned the gully, but is
now missing nearly 6 feet at the south end, leaving a segment 20 feet long and 6 feet
high.
Condition and Recommendations: The check dam originally spanned the gully, but
is now missing nearly 6 feet at the south end. Due to the gullying that has occurred
since, the wall is no longer experiencing direct erosion, and much of the fill that was
behind it has eroded away. It would be worth repairing the dam because it would
help contain a tremendous load of cyanide waste in place instead of allowing it to
wash unchecked down the canyon. Even though one could argue that the damage
has already been done given the amount of tailings further down and the large load
that is uncontained at the north end of the existing dam, rebuilding it would also slow
the force of the water and help maintain the lower tailings in place. Any repairs
resulting in disturbance of the cyanide waste will require proper precautions on the
part of the crew.
CHECKDAM 2
Description: The check dam was built of uncoursed, dry-laid large local stones
across a shallow drainage. It is 15 feet long and 4 feet high, but it has been breached at
the south end and was probably originally 18 feet long or more. A 1 1/2 inch metal pipe
extends from the north end approximately 5 feet; this pipe section was probably part
of the pipeline to the site.
Condition and Recommendations: The south end of the check dam is collapsed,
and the tailing behind show evidence of gullying and erosion. The dam is clearly
experiencing impacts from differential fill and erosion. This is a relatively minor
feature in terms of the overall site, but it was performing the important function of
retaining the cyanide waste from washing down the drainage and down the canyon
the road ascends. In the interest of containing what is still a significant amount of
cyanide waste in the current location, rebuilding the breached segment of dam is
highly advisable, as is maintaining the rest of it on a regular basis.
CHECKDAM 3
Description: This small rock structure was built to keep cyanide waste from washing
down past the housing area. It was meant to divert the runoff into a ditch that carried
it to the next drainage to the north. A line of stone along the edge of the ditch was
meant to further facilitate this. The dam is 4 feet long and 3 feet high, while the rock
alignment is 22 feet long.
Condition and Recommendations: The dam is low in the arroyo and has suffered
from collapse, water erosion, and differential fill. Only a small segment remains. The

rock alignment is somewhat buried with sediment deposited by overflow from the
ditch, and is stable. Check dam 1 will serve much better to retain the cyanide waste
than this small feature; given its current state of disrepair, it is not worth maintaining;
effort should be directed toward Check dam 1 instead.
MINE OPENINGS
Mine Opening 1: An adit 5 by 7 feet extending into the ridge an unknown distance.
The opening is framed in wood and has a section of corrugated metal as a roof. The
wooden door is still intact. It was used for storage, and contains artifacts that include
shelving, metal barrels, cans, multiple nuts and bolts, a metal flashlight base,
transmission parts, a chisel, several 94lb bags of Portland cement (“Monolith”), and
so forth. There are no access restrictions in place and no safety hazards were
apparent.
Mine Opening 2: A test adit 3 feet by 5 feet 6 inches dug back 6 feet with no rock left
overhead. There are no access restrictions and no safety hazards were apparent.
Mine Opening 3: A test adit 4 feet by 6 feet 6 inches dug back 15 feet horizontally
with no rock left overhead. There are access restrictions and no safety hazards were
apparent.
Mine Opening 4: An adit 4 feet by 4 feet that goes back 50 feet to the end. It contains
a compressed air pipe, hose, and tank. The floor is lined with lumber. There are no
access restrictions and no safety hazards were apparent.
Mine Opening 5: An adit 4 feet by 4 feet 6 inches that goes back 10 feet and ends,
with a right fork extending 50 feet to a wooden door, and then to a vertical shaft of
unknown depth. A pair of long johns and other clothing has been stuffed around the
wooden doorframe. There are no access restrictions in place, and the vertical shaft
poses a falling hazard to the incautious. Signs should be posted or access restricted.
Mine Opening 6: An adit 8 feet by 5 feet 6 inches that goes back over 180 feet with
multi-directional tunnels. There is a brown wool overcoat hanging in the entrance, as
well as a metal bucket half full of oil sludge, a compressed air hose, a Biturine Plastic
Cement can, a 5-gallon oil bucket, and a 55-gallon drum. “Keep Out” and “Wild Bill”
have been written on the support beams. There are no access restrictions in place,
and no immediate safety hazards were apparent.

Mine Opening 7: An adit 6 feet by 4 feet 6 inches that goes back 150 feet to the right
to a raise (that connects to Mine Opening 8) and multi-directional tunnels. There are
no access restrictions in place, and no immediate safety hazards were apparent.
Mine Opening 8: An adit 3 feet by 4 feet that goes back 36 feet to a vertical shaft
going down to Mine Opening 7. There are no access restrictions, and the shaft poses
a falling hazard. Signs or access restrictions should be installed.
Mine Opening 9: An adit 3 feet by 4 feet that is completely collapsed. No access

restrictions have been installed over the small crawl space that remains, and the area
is uninviting enough that visitors are unlikely to attempt to enter.
Mine Opening 10: An adit 4 feet by 3 feet that goes back 15 feet. A wooden handle is
present. There are no access restrictions, and no safety hazards were apparent.
Mine Opening 11: An opening around two adits that have completely collapsed at the
entrance. There are no access restrictions and no safety hazards were apparent.
Mine Opening 12: An adit that has collapsed at the entrance, leaving a 9 by 6-inch
opening through which air can be felt moving. There are no access restrictions and
no safety hazards were apparent.
Mine Opening 13: An adit 4 feet by 10 feet whose entrance has partially collapsed
leaving a low overhead. The visible vertical wood members have started to splinter.
There are no access restrictions in place, and the area should have signs or access
restrictions in place to keep visitors out of an area that could be subject to further
collapse.
Mine Opening 14: A test pit 6 feet by 6 feet and 6 feet deep. There are no access
restrictions and no safety hazards were apparent.

Mine Opening 15: A shaft 3 feet by 3 feet that goes down at least 30 feet. The opening
is covered with wood planks except for an opening 3 feet by 1 foot 6 inches at one
end. The wood is currently sound and the hole is small enough not to pose a falling
hazard, but it should be inspected on a regular basis.
Mine Opening 16: An adit 4 feet by 3 feet that descends at a 45 degree angle for 25
feet. There are no access restrictions and no safety hazards were apparent.
Mine Opening 17: An adit that has completely collapsed. There are no access
Mine Opening 18: A test pit 8 feet by 8 feet that was dug back 8 feet with no
overhead. There are no access restrictions and no safety hazards were apparent.
Mine Opening 19: A leveled area 36 by 14 feet and 4 feet deep indicates exploratory
digging. There are no access restrictions and no safety hazards were apparent.
Mine Opening 20: A test pit 14 by 9 feet and 3 feet deep. There are no access
Mine Opening 25: A test pit 7 feet by 5 feet 6 inches and 4 feet 6 inches deep. There
are two 1 x 4 pieces of lumber 7 feet long that were probably the frame for a ladder in
the pit. There are no access restrictions and no safety hazards were apparent.

Bibliography
Greene, Linda and John Latschar

1981 Historic Resource Study: A History of Mining in Death Valley National
Monument, Volumes I and II. Historic Preservation Branch, Pacific
Northwest/Western Team, National Park Service, Western Service Center.
Mortier, Mark L., Robert L. Hartzler, and Heather N. Atherton

2001 Condition Assessment and Preservation Recommendations for 24 Backcountry
Cabins, Death Valley National Park. On file at the National Park Service
Intermountain Support Office—Santa Fe and Death Valley National Park.
National Park Service (NPS)

1995 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with
Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic
Buildings. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
Unrau, Harlan, D.
1997 A History of the Lands Added to Death Valley National Monument by the California
Desert Protection Act of 1994: Special History Study. Department of the Interior,
National Park Service.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

As the nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our
nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering sound use of our land and water
resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity; preserving the environmental and cultural
values of our national parks and historical places; and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor
recreation. The department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their
development is in the best interests of all our people by encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in
their care. The department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for
people who live in island territories under U.S. administration.
Architectural Conservation Projects Program

Intermountain Support Office
Santa Fe, New Mexico
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National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Architectural Conservation Projects Program

Death Valley National Park

Historic Preservation Report – Volume I

Emily Donald Mark L. Mortier Glenn D. Simpson

Division of Facilities Management, Historic Preservation Projects

U.S. Department of the Interior

Findings and Recommendations 11

National Park Service v

Throughout Death Valley National Park is

From March through mid-May of 2002, staff

National Park Service 1

Historic Preservation Report 2

Less information on changes over time is available on the archeological features of

National Park Service 3

The townsites of Harrisburg and Leadfield have particular archeological research

Specific recommendations for individual resources are detailed in the document

Qualitative Condition Rating Guidelines:

A rating of Good indicates that: (a) routine maintenance should be sufficient

Historic Preservation Report 4

A rating of Fair indicates that the structure or feature generally has an

A rating of Poor indicates that the structure or feature is in need of immediate

Maintenance Deficiency Priority Ratings:

Medium - There is a deterioration which, if not corrected within 1-3 years,

Low - Standard preventive maintenance practices and preservation methods

National Park Service 5

The documentation of each site included archeological, architectural, and condition

National Park Service 11

Historic Preservation Report 12

Historic Photograph of Lost

Site Description and Previous Documentation: The gold-bearing outcroppings of

When Greene visited the site in 1978,

the mine openings, and various

National Park Service 111

Historic Photograph of Lost

Historic Preservation Report 112

Overview of Lost Burro

National Park Service 113

Historic Preservation Report 114

National Park Service 115

Recommendations: The highest priorities are to stabilize the structure to prevent

Historic Preservation Report 116

Notification should be posted warning of the hazards of Hantavirus, as well as

Condition: This building is in poor condition. It is threatened by weathering and

Recommendations: The highest priorities are to stabilize the structure to prevent

Historic Preservation Report 118

Condition: Overall, this building is in fair condition. It is threatened by structural

National Park Service 119

Notification should be posted warning of the hazards of Hantavirus, as well as

Historic Preservation Report 120

National Park Service 121

Historic Preservation Report 122

Description: This structure was a small one-room blacksmith shop, measuring

National Park Service 123

Recommendations: This structure is at a critical juncture where it could still be

The forge could be repaired and stabilized, depending on how seriously it is

Notification should be posted warning of the hazards of Hantavirus, as well as

Historic Preservation Report 124

Condition and Recommendations: The structure is completely collapsed and is

STRUCTURE 6, BURNED TWO-STORY BUILDING

National Park Service 125

Condition and Recommendations: The structure burned to the ground at an