|
Horse
Heaven began its life in 1933 when cinnabar was discovered by
two prospectors. Cinnabar (or mercury sulphide) turns bright red
when wet and yields mercury when heated. Much of the camp's buildings
are still visible and the area of the mine holds many remnants from
its heyday. By the time the mine was closed, tunnels of up to 1400
feet long on 10 levels had been dug. Pictured is the entrance to
the mine and an ore car. The track for the car still remains, as
with the furnaces used to roast the cinnabar. The white rock in
the photos is the ore from which cinnabar is extracted. A lone prospector
still works the area in search of a rumoured deposit. Many years
ago, an old miner discovered the "richest deposit in the area"
and left temporarily to go file a claim. Upon returning, he could
not find the exact location of his find. He died still searching
for it.
Related
Links:
Jefferson
County | Central
Oregon
|