Great Sierra Mine Historic Site
Encyclopedia
The Great Sierra Mine Historic Site preserves the site of the largest mining operation in what would become Yosemite National Park
. The mine was located on Tioga Hill on the crest and eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, one of several claims intended to work the Sheepherder silver
lode. The Sheepherder lode was discovered in 1860, and rediscovereed by shepherd Thomas Brusky, Jr., who staked a number of claims in the area. In 1881 all of the claims were bought out by the Great Sierra Consolidated Silver Mining Company and established the company town
of Dana. Due to the 11,000 foot altitude the town was soon relocated to the bottom of the hill at Bennettville
.
After an adit
was driven 1784 feet into the side of the hill at an expenditure of $300,000, operations were closed down in 1884. They resumed with modern equipment in 1933, but did not find the Sheepherder Lode, and operations ceased for good.
Today, five stone cabins, a powder house and a blacksmith shop remain. The shafts have collapsed or have been filled in.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a United States National Park spanning eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties in east central California, United States. The park covers an area of and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain...
. The mine was located on Tioga Hill on the crest and eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, one of several claims intended to work the Sheepherder silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
lode. The Sheepherder lode was discovered in 1860, and rediscovereed by shepherd Thomas Brusky, Jr., who staked a number of claims in the area. In 1881 all of the claims were bought out by the Great Sierra Consolidated Silver Mining Company and established the company town
Company town
A company town is a town or city in which much or all real estate, buildings , utilities, hospitals, small businesses such as grocery stores and gas stations, and other necessities or luxuries of life within its borders are owned by a single company...
of Dana. Due to the 11,000 foot altitude the town was soon relocated to the bottom of the hill at Bennettville
Bennettville, California
Bennettville is a former settlement and ghost town in Mono County, California. It was located on Mine Creek east-southeast of Mount Conness.-History:...
.
After an adit
Adit
An adit is an entrance to an underground mine which is horizontal or nearly horizontal, by which the mine can be entered, drained of water, and ventilated.-Construction:...
was driven 1784 feet into the side of the hill at an expenditure of $300,000, operations were closed down in 1884. They resumed with modern equipment in 1933, but did not find the Sheepherder Lode, and operations ceased for good.
Today, five stone cabins, a powder house and a blacksmith shop remain. The shafts have collapsed or have been filled in.