Washington Mine
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The Washington Mine was discovered on George Washington's birthday in 1879. Gold bearing rock was found at the site and a claim was filed by three men camped near the site. Gold had been found in the area, but this claim was the first producing hard rock mine to be developed in the Julian area. Gold was not found in nuggets such as found in Northern California. Julian gold was locked in quarry rock. The ore (rock) was removed from the mine and then crushed and processed to extract the gold. This was hard work and labor intensive. Miners felt they had a good day if by dark they had an ounce or two of gold.
Julian gold was considered jewelry quality and was often sold in San Diego. |
Miners at the Washington Mine about 1910
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* June 1869: Fred Coleman discovered gold while watering his horse in what is known today as Coleman Creek.
* February 20, 1870: H.C. Bickers, while following bear tracks into the hills , discovered gold bearing quarts.
* February 22, 1870: Bickers registered the George Washington Mine.
* The Washington Mine is made up of tunnels 100 ft. to 150 ft. in length with a 100 ft. shaft and three-100 ft. drift tunnels
* Drift tunnels follow the gold veins.
* 11,000 ounces of gold was produced during the mine’s operation 1870—1912. In today’s market that is about $20 million worth of gold.
* The Julian Historical Society purchased the Washington Mine from Mr. Louis Smith in 1969.
* In 2017 the Julian Historical society started a project to restore and prepare the mine for public viewing.
* February 20, 1870: H.C. Bickers, while following bear tracks into the hills , discovered gold bearing quarts.
* February 22, 1870: Bickers registered the George Washington Mine.
* The Washington Mine is made up of tunnels 100 ft. to 150 ft. in length with a 100 ft. shaft and three-100 ft. drift tunnels
* Drift tunnels follow the gold veins.
* 11,000 ounces of gold was produced during the mine’s operation 1870—1912. In today’s market that is about $20 million worth of gold.
* The Julian Historical Society purchased the Washington Mine from Mr. Louis Smith in 1969.
* In 2017 the Julian Historical society started a project to restore and prepare the mine for public viewing.
Washington Mine Monument
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Washington Mine Museum
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Building the new road to the Washington Mine. January 2018
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Items on display in the mining museum
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