Buena Vista Shaft - New Almaden, California
Posted by: 
DougK
N 37° 11.205 W 121° 50.629
10S E 602622 N 4116215
The Buena Vista Shaft was instrumental in the quicksilver mining operations during and after the California Gold Rush period.
Waymark Code: WM72V4
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 08/24/2009
Views: 5
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.
Mine Type: Abandoned Mine
Mineral Collecting: Yes
Material Mined: Other - Specify in long description
Operation: Underground Mine
Surface Features: Yes
KNOWN DANGERS:
Steel safety grills prevent falling into the dip pits within the footings. The neighboring area is a available for hiking and exploring.
Any associated website: [Web Link]
Any Other information:
There are multiple ways to access the mine site. The shortest hike is by parking at the Mockingbird Hill entrance to Quicksilver Park (N37 11.598 W121 50.200) and hiking the New Almaden Trail to the Buena Vista Trail up to the Randol Trail.
From the Hacienda Parking lot, you can hike, bike or ride a horse up to the Randol Trail. Other park entrances provide access to the Randol Trail, via longer trips.
|
Visit Instructions:
Optional photograph welcomed.