Mariscal Mine

Mariscal Mine is a cinnabar extraction site in Big Bend National Park containing substantial ruins of industrial structures like storage bins, a furnace, condensing chambers, and a prominent brick chimney set against the desert. The stone and brick structures remain largely intact and display how the refining process operated.

Operating from 1900 to 1943, this cinnabar mine produced around 1,400 flasks of mercury that represented roughly one quarter of total US mercury output during that era. The operation was a significant source of raw materials for the nation throughout those decades.

Mexican workers made up the main labor force here, building their own shelters from rocks and brush while earning minimal wages for grueling daily shifts.

Access via River Road East requires high-clearance vehicles since the route is rough and challenging to drive. Visitors should exercise caution around abandoned structures and stay away from open mine shafts.

The processing at this site relied on a custom Scott Furnace built from local clay that extracted mercury from cinnabar through a vaporization and condensation method. This technique was notably efficient for its time.

Location: Brewster County

Location: Big Bend National Park

Address: River Rd.

GPS coordinates: 29.09500,-103.18700

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:44