Buena Vista Shaft - New Almaden, California
Posted by: 
DougK
N 37° 11.205 W 121° 50.629
10S E 602622 N 4116215
Quick Description: The Buena Vista Shaft was instrumental in the quicksilver mining operations during and after the California Gold Rush period.
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 8/24/2009 9:52:43 PM
Waymark Code: WM72V4
Views: 1
Long Description:The Buena Vista Shaft commenced on July 5, 1882. It became the
deepest sunk into Quicksilver Mining Company's lands, eventually
reaching a depth of 2,300 feet, 600 feet below sea level.
Though not itself a significant source of ore, the Buena Vista's
value was in pumping water out of neighboring flooded mine tunnels,
thus allowing miners to follow veins of cinnabar ore deeper in to
the earth.
Considered a masterpiece of masonry, the Buena Vista's pumphouse
was constructed using sandstone from New Almaden and immense blocks
of granite from the Sierras. the Buena Vista pumphouse, with its
red paint and fancy cathedral windows was strategically placed to
be visible from San Jose, 12 miles away. It was intended that this
attractive building in the Almaden hillside would draw wealthy
investors to the mining company.
Abandoned in 1893, these foundation blocks are all the remain of
the Buena Vista today. The massive granite footings of the huge
Cornish pump for the Buena Vista Shaft can still be seen. The
surrounding area is covered with piles of red rock mine tailings
and scattered stands of pampas grass.