A collection of photos of old mining relics and abandoned mining claims.

Note: As most of these old artifacts are currently sitting on valid mining claims, it is necessary to point out
that though you are free to visit, explore and photograph them, these old relics are classified as legal "improvements"
to the mines and therefore belong to the current claim holder. Needless to say, these artifacts are a form of
private property and are not the public's to take a souvenir from. In recent years, scrap metal thieves and vandals have
stolen or destroyed many artifacts like these from mining claims, while some rogue employees of BLM and USFS have
destroyed many old mining relics, especially by burning cabins in recent years for "liability purposes". Needless to say, they are vanishing at an alarming rate and will not be around for future generations to enjoy if we do not protect them.
 

Disclaimer: Abandoned (and even recently worked) mines can be dangerous!
Great care should be taken when exploring mining claims, especially those which may have shafts or tunnels. (If you don't
see a creek nearby that would indicate that it was a placer mine, there WILL be a tunnel or shaft on the claim). Inexperienced persons unaccompanied by someone intimately familiar with a mine, should NEVER enter a shaft or tunnel. If you do choose to enter, ALWAYS inform someone of where you are, when you will be back and always be accompanied by a buddy
and have the proper equipment, including extra batteries for flashlights and water and food. You've been warned!
 

Old miner's shack on Forest Creek in Jackson County, Oregon.

Old water wheel on Forest Creek in Jackson County, Oregon. This was probably used to power an arastra.

A close-up of the wheel.

Another close-up.

Cemented rock wall that anchors the water wheel.
Note the use tires to help shore up the highbank. These look to date from the 1920's.

Close-up of the buckets on the water wheel.

Remnants of a flume near Galice, in Josephine County, Oregon. This flume was probably used to move water from
Bear Gulch to operations at the famous Old Channel Mine in the 1890's.
 
 
 
 
 

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