Great Western Quicksilver Mine, Mercury mine near Middletown, California
The Great Western Quicksilver Mine is a former mercury mining operation in the mountains of Lake County, California, featuring a network of deep tunnels and extraction facilities. The site spreads across hilly terrain and shows the infrastructure needed for mining operations.
The mine was established in 1872 and operated until 1909 when mercury supplies ran out. During those decades, it became an important source of mercury for California's mining industry.
The site served as a hub for mining communities where workers and their families lived together. Records document the daily routines and working conditions that shaped life for those employed there.
The site is located in a remote mountainous area that requires a vehicle to reach. Weather and terrain conditions can vary significantly by season, so checking conditions beforehand helps with planning a visit.
The workforce was remarkably diverse, with 200 Chinese workers laboring alongside 25 miners from other backgrounds. This composition made the operation a place where people from different origins worked together.
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