Idaho Springs Mid-Town Ore Processing: Part 2

[Mike Trent]

I believe the Timberline kit was based on the part of the structure that had the opening to the trestle and the lower tipple only. One of the first kits I ever built, and yes, I bought it because it had Idaho Springs on the box.

[drgwcs]

Thanks for the suggestions on the Lincoln Mill- I had also posed this as a possibility but I don't think the two that remembered it thought it was that. I am kind of on the fence as to the authenticity. Some of the waste trestles near the Stanley also bear resemblance but don't have the bin. Not sure there will be a good answer unless a pic surfaced. I have one on my to do pile of kits. It will wind up being next to a Campbell 10 stamp mill so I am freelancing my way out of it. First I have the Bobtail in Black Hawk to get done (or at least a slice of it)

[Chris Walker]

drgwcs wrote

Thanks for the suggestions on the Lincoln Mill- I had also posed this as a possibility but I don't think the two that remembered it thought it was that.

Jim,

I guess that the memories generated on FB are of the burnt out Mill after 1950.
repost image from my article on the Alma-Lincoln.

DPL X-3507

[Chris Walker]

Getting this thread back on track with this fabulous image; never thought I'd be posting waterfall images.....




I.S.M&R Co. Mill torn down by this later view. (?)
EDIT: on further examination, I now think these two images were taken on the same day.  given the block Ph-3 Coalcar at the upstream end of the string of cars, and other details.



See Doug Heitcamp's Pipes-on-Flats thread for more on this location.
http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Pipes-on-Flats-tp2980.html

And an opposing viewpoint: Anderson Mill aka Bertha #1 visible in centre along with the I.S.M&R Co. Mill in the rear, and also capturing the Waltham Cyanide Plant up Chicago Creek.

[Jim Courtney]

Great images, Chris!

I especially like the first one with the string of freight cars in the foreground. What waterfall??

[drgwcs]

So do we know approximately what year the Sunshine mill was torn down??

[Chris Walker]

Sheesh, that's a tough one Jim.  

A quick examination of a couple of the later photo's show it still standing with the new Argo Mill present, but not included in the USGS 1917(Bertha#1 Anderson Mill was) list of Mills at I.S. The Waterfall picture shows Bertha#1 gone as well but no Auto's present.  

Based on that, mid-teens; it is a hard one to nail down.   When was the Button TM first used on rolling stock?

[Chris Walker]

Apparently after the Sanborn Map of 1886 showing "closed" this Mill was torn down, the Millsite sold for the errection of a new , much larger Mill of the I.S.M&R Co.

That would be the Idaho Spring's Reduction Works Mill with the multi-dormered roofline.  A grave mistake I made referring to it as the Sunshine in hindsight, the Newspaper reporters again continue to refer to past iterations.  
Close inspection of various images of this Mill show the later addition of a Elevator tower on the Southern end of the roofline.



Note the  USGS-1917 publication states "Dismantled".  Another USGS paper mentioned a renewal of Milling facilities at I.S. and a DPL picture X-2289 dated [1922] shows Chamberlain in a state of demolition, the Anderson/Bertha#1 gone as well.  

So around 1918 ~1920 would be more definitive for the "falls" picture.



Looks like I could have some further research to do here.....

[drgwcs]

Chris Walker wrote

Apparently after the Sanborn Map of 1886 showing "closed" this Mill was rebuilt and may have operated under a new name, for a period of time.

That would be the Idaho Spring's Reduction Works Mill with the multi-dormered roofline.  A grave mistake I made referring to it as the Sunshine in hindsight, the Newspaper reporters again referring to past iterations.  
Close inspection of various images of this Mill show the later addition of a Elevator tower on the Southern end of the roofline.



Note the  USGS-1917 publication states "Dismantled".  Another USGS paper mentioned a renewal of Milling facilities at I.S. and a DPL picture X-2289 dated [1922] shows Chamberlain in a state of demolition, the Anderson/Bertha#1 gone as well.  

So around 1918 ~1920 would be more definitive for the "falls" picture.



Looks like I could have some further research to do here.....

You know how to get the research to surface right? Build a model- It will show up in a couple of weeks afterwards.......
Had that happen twice working on Black Hawk. I will say that modeling the C&S requires a bit of flexibility in including structures as we do not have as much precise dating. A couple of anachronisms surfaced in Black Hawk too. Plus I kind of cheat as my narrow gauge C&S is set ten years before my standard gauge D&RGW. I have considered hiding a Delorian to explain the discrepancy.........
Jim

[Chris Walker]

Chris Walker wrote

Looks like I could have some further research to do here.....

I have done just that, and found some interesting details; the demolition date still eludes me at this time.

In the meantime this Ebay listing provides an interesting Creekside view.

[drgwcs]

Very interesting view- best closeup of this mill yet- Oh for more space.............

[Chris Walker]

Jim,

I also have this picture.

I had been saving it for the Seaton Mountain Co's article that I had been researching as it was the main focus of the image, forgot that I posted it in Doug's great Thread http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Pipes-on-Flats-tp2980p3005.html  then South Park found it, posted it somewhere else; so it didn't get added into this thread.

Colorado School of Mines Image.

[drgwcs]

Ok now you have me looking on ebay for interesting postcards again... saw this one up there with no name just interior of Idaho Springs concentrating mill- wonder which mill it is.

[Chris Walker]

I have found more references to this Mill being called the "Sunshine" or "Old Sunshine" with the one reference each of "May" and "Trojan".  I guess old habits die hard, oddly as the Sunshine was a much smaller, more Barn-like than a Mill structure.  













Route of the intended Aduddell Mine-Trojan Mill Aerial Bucket Tramway.



At this time, the demolition date eludes me.  I'd guess the town boosters don't like to mention that sort of thing.  
I did read elsewhere though, that this Mill was a larger capacity concentrator built as a stand-in, at a time when all teb Mill's in Idaho were at capacity, until the much larger Argo Mill would be built.

[Chris Walker]

Jim,

I can make an edjamakated gess at this, that's all.
Another photographer who took mining related images around Idaho Spring's. I've mislaid my details on this S.A. Noyes guy.

Each Mill I've presented in the I.S. Mills series, has a unique shape in making this comparison, and lacking an image of the orginal configuration without the Office attached, this fits.

Contruction materials, the low roofline and window arrangement suggest the original Newton Mill, that was purchased in 1897 by WE Renshaw(Gem Mines & other Co's.) before addition and alterations see: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Idaho-Springs-Mid-Town-Ore-Processing-Part-3-tp2512.html  in newspaper clippings edits for clarity.

enlarged from Denver Public Library Special Collections Z-2786


Man in the middle, appears to have similar features to Mr Renshaw(but then again; the Walrus was a standard addition to Mining Men of that period).
This may well be him, mid 1890's,


W.E. Renshaw in 1929.


At least I can id the Frue Vanners used, Sanborn Fire Maps detailed Bumping Tables in the Newton  
from the Mining and Scientific Press-1885/07/18


 I'm open to any suggestions if there is a better match somewhere else.