The Mysterious Mines of the American West: Unraveling the Legends of San Bernardino County, California

In the vast landscapes of San Bernardino County, California, lie hidden treasures that date back to the days of the Wild West. Tucked away among the rugged mountains and arid deserts, the mines of this region hold stories of adventure, riches, and the hard lives of the brave prospectors who sought their fortunes in these uncharted lands.

Journey Into the Unknown

As the pioneers made their way westward during the Gold Rush of the mid-19th century, the allure of striking it rich led many to venture into the untamed territories of what is now San Bernardino County. Beyond the established towns and settlements, they set foot into unexplored lands, driven by the dreams that glimmered in their hearts.

Forging Ahead: The Gold Rush Era

One of the first significant discoveries in the area was the gold-rich Holcomb Valley. It is said that in the spring of 1860, William F. Holcomb found himself standing at the site of a massive gold strike, which would become known as the Holcomb Valley Gold Rush. The precious metal was so abundant that it attracted thousands of prospectors, establishing a thriving mining community virtually overnight.

Mines of the American West – San Bernardino County, California: Second Edition – Volume CA 36 (Mines of California)

by Ivan Herring(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1396 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	670 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

Soon, the echoes of hammers and picks reverberated through the valley as miners scrambled to stake their claims and set up their operations. The boomtown of Belleville was built to accommodate the growing population, complete with bustling saloons, stores, and all the necessities of a thriving community.

Beyond Gold: Silver, Copper, and More

While Holcomb Valley was undoubtedly a prominent gold rush destination, San Bernardino County held more than just gold within its rocky terrain.

The fierce desert winds revealed silver veins buried beneath the sand, leading to the discovery of Silver Lake. Silver Lake became a significant mining site, with miners digging deep into the heart of the earth to extract the precious metal.

But San Bernardino County's mining riches extended beyond precious metals. The mountains also hid rich copper deposits, attracting prospectors eager to uncover this valuable resource. Copperopolis, named after the copper ore that fueled its growth, emerged as a flourishing mining town in the early 20th century.

Ghosts of the Mines

As the decades passed and the precious ores became scarcer, the once-booming mining towns gradually faded into obscurity. The remaining structures and abandoned mines now stand as silent reminders of the past, imbued with a haunting sense of mystery.

One such ghost town is Calico, which was once a bustling silver mining town but is now preserved as a historic site. Visitors can wander through its streets, peering into the empty buildings and imagining the lives of the long-gone inhabitants.

The Rose Mine, located in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains, is another eerie reminder of the past. It is said that the mine is cursed, and those who dare to venture deep into its dark depths are met with misfortune. Legends of lost treasure and paranormal encounters have only deepened the mystique surrounding this abandoned mine.

Preserving the Legacy

Although many mines have been lost to time, efforts have been made to preserve the ones that remain. The Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency oversees the Big Horn Mine, managing its access to the public while ensuring its historical significance is respected and protected.

Guided tours, led by knowledgeable experts, take visitors on a journey through the underground tunnels, sharing tales of the miners' struggles and the mine's significance in the region's history. It is through initiatives like these that the stories of San Bernardino County's mining heritage are kept alive.

Unlocking the Legends

From the Gold Rush era to the subsequent silver and copper booms, the mines of San Bernardino County have left an indelible mark on the American West. The tales of fortune and hardship, of lost treasures and cursed mines, provide a glimpse into a bygone era where dreams collided with the unforgiving realities of life on the frontier.

As you explore the vast landscapes and hidden corners of San Bernardino County, allow yourself to be captivated by the mysteries that lie beneath its surface. Unravel the legends of the American West and let the mines tell their tales of triumph and tragedy, forever etching their place in history.

Mines of the American West – San Bernardino County, California: Second Edition – Volume CA 36 (Mines of California)

by Ivan Herring(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1396 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	670 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

This Second Edition of Mines of the American West – San Bernardino County is being published to fix a load error in the First Edition and to expand the data included, containing approximately 25% more data than the First Edition and a total of over 3,650 entries. This book and the series is intended for the use of small miners, “rockhounds”, metal-detector enthusiasts, hikers, campers, off-roaders and others. Modern GPS coordinates, most of which are from USGS records, and old Public Land Survey System locators, have been associated with the majority of the records to allow the reader to do a little “prospecting from their computer”, using available on-line tools.
In this book some of the locations have been reviewed using on-line tools, especially when attempting to locate the mine through the use of the coordinates. This allows the locations of the coordinate points to be visibly identified; and, in many cases the best ways to access them. Where I have been able to find a reference as to the “location accuracy” of the coordinates, I have included it.
On-line mapping tools allow the reader to pursue their interests and review locations when the weather is bad or they only have limited blocks of time. It also will allow the reader to maximize their use of time when they can physically visit the areas, after getting permission of the Owners, when necessary. Also, as a benefit to physical site visitors, some of the mines have been grouped by Mining District, where such existed.
Some of the entries for these Counties have been developed while I was working on other projects ranging from developing data for other book series to various consulting assignments, and may include such data where it was not considered proprietary.