The many mines in and around Old El Dorado have names as varied as those of race horses, such as:
Rose Hill: Located on ridge south of El Dorado Creek, one mile west of Mtn. Ranch. Opened in 1871, operated for 25 years with a 10 stamp mill, by the Rodesino family. Later purchased by Clyde Sherwood, former owner of El Dorado Ranch.
Hardscabble: Located on ridge above Murray Creek, one mile west of Mtn. Ranch, owned by Louis Baver. In 1930 the ore yielded up to $30 per ton.
Starlight: Located 6 miles east of San Andreas off Michel Road on what is now called Starlight Lane. Discovered in 1890 with 145 foot shaft. Concentrates averaged $162 per ton. Treated in 5 stamp mill. Owned by John R. Ross.
Old McKinney: Located 5 miles southeast of Mt. Ranch, owned by Clorinda Domenghini. Discovered in 1860. What is now called Hidden Valley.
Pilot: Located on ridge between the O'Neil and McKinney Creeks, 5 miles northwest of Murphys. 180 foot shaft with 4 stamp mill. Near Cave City.
Table Mountain: Located one mile northeast of Mtn. Ranch, owned by A. M. Raggio with 110 foot shaft.
Murray Creek: Located one mile north of Mtn. Ranch, owned by Albert Wanner. Discovered in 1890.
Fort Ritter: Located on ridge north of Murray Creek, one mile northeast of Mtn. Ranch and owned by Donald Costello. 3 foot vein strkes northwest and dips northeast. Early mine discovered in 1850. With 640 foot adit and 200 foot shaft. Ore treated with 5 stamp mill.
Hazel Emma: Located in Mexican Gulch, 1 1/2 miles northeast of Mtn. Ranch and owned by Geo W. Carr, Jr. Ore yielded $20 per ton in the 1930's with 175 foot north crosscut adit, 100 foot of drifts, and 40 feet winze.
Montana: Locate on ridge north o Salamander Gulch, 6 miles northeast of San Andreas, owner M. Gattavaro in the 1930's. 2 foot quartz vein stripes north and dips 55 east. Active in 1870 with 2 stamp mill. Northwest of Mtn. Ranch.
Shenandoah: Located on Jesus Maria Creek 5 miles northwest of Mtn. Ranch, owned by J.S. Jack 5 foot vein strikes northeast. 1600 foot adits and 500 foot shaft. Ore treated in 10 stamp mill.
Alpha and Omega: Located on ridge between Jesus Maria and Esperanza Creeks, owned by Loring Bennet and Alice Rynn. 1 1/2 foot vein strikes northwest. Ore yeild up to #34 per ton. From 1877 to 1930's, 5 stamp mill.
Rindge: There were 3 Rindge mine, one located northeast of Jesus Maria, one in Wet Gulch, and one southeast of Glencoe. All were operated in the 1920's by F. H. Rindge of Stockton, with a 10 stamp mill.
Wet Gulch: Located 2 miles southeast of the town Jesus Maria in Wet Gulch. Owned by T.P. Shufelton and worked extensively in the early days.
Dauphine: Located one mile southeast of Jesus Maria (the town). Two veins in 7 foot zone strike northeast. Discovered in 1851. 100 foot shaft, 140 foot adit and open cut. Treated with one stamp mill. One of our very early mine shafts.
And don't forget Sheep Ranch, by far the largest and best producing gold mine in this area. Discovered in 1868 and operated almost continuously until 1942. In 1875 the mine was sold to George Hearst and Company. They brought the mine up to modern standards at that time and it was most productive. One of the biggest little towns in southern mines with stores, hotels, livery, even a hospital.
You will be surprised. There is probably a mine on your property or close by. Get out your pick and metal detector and see what you can find!
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