Book digs into hydraulic mining

“Golden Gulches,” a book recently published by the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance, shines the spotlight on the area’s hydraulic mining, an antiquated technique in which entire hillsides were washed away in search of gold.

Despite its devastating environmental effects, hydraulic mining proved a highly successful method for retrieving gold from areas around Breckenridge like Iowa Hill from the 1860s to the 1930s.

“It’s probably one of the best hydraulic mining exhibits in the West,” town historian Rebecca Waugh said of Iowa Hill. “You can walk through and actually see how it worked.”

The monitor station, giants and boardinghouse are among features included in the historic-site tour and the book, which describes their functions.

Waugh, a contributor, said the 77-page book, loaded with historic photos and diagrams, is one of few dedicated to hydraulic mining, offering readers an explanation of some rather complicated equipment.

“We were trying to make a very technical subject entertaining,” Waugh said.

Sandra Mather, who is credited with writing “Golden Gulches,” said some of the photos featured had never been published.

Mather lives in Pennsylvania but may be seen giving tours of Iowa Hill for a couple months each summer.

“It’s a tremendous site,” she said. “What is unique is that so many types of mining were used right there on that site — so it was just perfect for telling the entire story of placer mining in one spot.”

The book also uses archaeological research to give readers a glimpse into the workers’ lives. Eric Twitty contributed findings based in large part on trash found in the boardinghouse area.

The research turns up some fascinating tidbits that contradict the stereotypical image of heavy smokers and drinkers inhabiting mining camps.

Waugh said research turned up some fascinating surprises. For example, the Boston and Colorado Gold Placer Mining Co. bought some mining rights in Iowa Gulch for a whopping $2 million in May of 1880.

Those rights were sold two years later for $25,846.

She said some of the people in the book’s photos can be recognized on different pages. In one instance, there’s a picture taken of the same dog on Main Street on two different years.

The book was financed through a $9,000 Colorado Historical Society state historical fund grant and $8,000 from the Town of Breckenridge. Supplies are limited, with 1,000 copies available in the first printing.

Waugh said her priorities now are focused on the Carter Museum exhibits and getting Locomotive 111 running on the Georgetown Loop.

Mather is working on a book, possibly to be released this spring, entitled “They Weren’t All Prostitutes and Gamblers.” She said the book may help debunk stereotypes regarding women during the mining time period.

Robert Allen can be contacted at (970) 668-4628 or rallen@summitdaily.com.