Sharp Eyed Persons Quiz

[Chris Walker]

Derrell has nailed it well and truly.  Nice detective work I say.



From the DPL Z-2800
http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15330coll22/id/67650

These Mills here show up in at least a dozen photos and no two are alike, constant reworking to suit different appoaches to milling of differing ores.  The Diamond in the spurs, showed up in Mal's C&Sng, has had me hopping for years, must be the only example I've ever seen in "industrial" trackage outside of the 90* crossings eg Leadville Mineral Belt.

The wonderful I.S. Machine Works building hasn't yet been constructed in this view which was the clue referred to in http://coloradosouthern.blogspot.co.nz/2015/01/ropers-snapshot-saturday-no31.html with that colour picture taken on the Diamond.  I really have to credit Harry Brunk for my exposure to this wonderful place, via the Up Clear Creek articles in the NG&SL Gazette, it has only been the past few months digging in the DPL and my Books that I have been able to put more pieces of this jig-saw together.

Obviously this Mill has different owners over the years, as I "thought" I saw it referred to as the Rocky Mountain Concentrating works, I can't find the reference but the CRRA#10 map has it listed as the Renshaw.  The State Ore Sampling Co is the large building on the other side of the tracks which seems derelict with the broken windows.

I have more to add to this.....stay tuned.

[Derrell Poole]

It's a stunning photo, Chris. Post the other photo too.

I'm not a Clear Creek guy but I've always been drawn to the grittiness of that district. Just this scene alone would make a great operating model. I am really familiar with Idaho Springs out of involvement with the study for alternate transportation or "improving" I-25 many years ago. The town has changed and so has the Creek. But your cropped view had that distinct I.S. feel to it - especially the Creek. The pond was also a giving clue - not aware of very many like it but I couldn't see enough to know for sure what it was - very crafty of you, Chris. Spurs thru the building (w / St. Charles Coal on it) or between them where they are more or less opposed to the axis of the Creek and the RR at the same time don't occur very many places. Where else does that occur?

LOVE the chair cars! I don't know what the DPL claims the date to be but it is between 1899 and 1903.

I wish I had more time to play these puzzle games. I thought sure someone would have figured this out some time ago. I'm glad you let the puzzle ride but don't wait for me because I may never get around to something like this...

And I hope you do a Blog article - as the subject is deserving.

[Chris Walker]

http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/fullbrowser/collection/p15330coll21/id/11920/rv/singleitem

This is the most modern view that I have found so far of the Renshaw Mill, there is third, earlier view but just only of the mill and can be found in the book Tailings, Tracks & Tommyknockers: A History of Clear Creek County.  In that photo, obviously taken before the Z-2800 (title photo), the two mill buildings at that time are not attached, the right-hand spur shows a coalcar with a boxcar behind.  

The 2ft gauge Big 5 mine railway winds around the bank to a newer mill adjacent the Jackson Concentrator up Chicago Creek out of sight to the right.  Note the passing siding on the line serving a chute with yet another shorter tramway across the bridge into the Mill.

The large flat-roofed mill on the rearside of the spurs is the State Ore Sampler and in several photos shows great transition to the last view as shown in MCC-1256.  It may have burned as one shot shows that area vacant, or maybe pulled down.


http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/fullbrowser/collection/p15330coll22/id/38884/rv/singleitem/rec/9

The rather prominent 2-Storey House is the one constant in all the photos at this location, and shows that it was built in the earliest days of I.S.

Number 68 sits on the Sidings just short of that diamond xing.

http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/fullbrowser/collection/p15330coll22/id/42261/rv/singleitem

There sure was a lot of switching to be had in the few miles that made up Yard Limits in Idaho.(Springs)