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Allan Hall on
March 10th, 2010Footnotes and References: [1] Access to BLM Abandoned Mine Lands policies and manuals can be reached via these web sites: Abandoned Mine Land Program Policy Manual Section (MS-3720) http://www.blm.gov/nhp/efoia/wo/manual/manuals.html AML National Strategic Plan http://www.blm.gov/nhp/efoia/wo/fy06/im2006-145attach1.pdf AML Website http://www.blm.gov/aml BLM Manual Sections http://www.blm.gov/nhp/efoia/wo/manual/manuals.html [2] Bureau of Land Management H-3720-1 Abandoned Mine Lands Policy Handbook. …
Continue reading “Abandoned Mines Part II: Protective Closures“
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Allan Hall on
March 4th, 2010Many stories about abandoned mines in Arizona don’t have happy endings. For example, the Tonopah-Belmont Mine, located about 24 miles southwest of Wickenburg, operated intermittently from the 1860’s until 1942 with a record of no fatalities. This, in spite of having a 500 foot deep shaft with working levels at 100, 250, 400 and 500 feet.
Responsible collectors of mineral specimens regularly (and safely) visited this popular site for 48 years until, in 1990, a young man set out to explore the underground workings on his own. About 100 feet into the McNeil Tunnel, in darkness, he stepped into a …
Continue reading “Abandoned Mines Part I: Preserve or Destroy?“
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Allan Hall on
January 24th, 2010John Wayne is famously credited for having said “Life is tough, but it’s tougher when you’re stupid.” I was reminded of this quotation while doing some research on mining fatalities in Arizona’s Territorial days and the years following Statehood. As many folks know, the Vulture Mine was the richest gold strike in the state’s history, and it put Wickenburg on the map in 1863. Mining is a dangerous business of course, and it remained so in spite of continued efforts to impose tougher mining codes. Two accidents at the Vulture Mine illustrate why the combination of “stupid” …
Continue reading “A Fatal Combination“
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Allan Hall on
November 28th, 2009Man’s quest for mineral wealth is ancient and predates historical records by thousands of years. Indeed, the paramount reason why pioneer explorers and miners came into Arizona in the 1800’s was the hope of finding riches.
The area east of Wickenburg, bounded by Constellation Road on the north and Buckhorn Road to the south, was the virtual center of the Black Rock Mining District and saw some intense mining activity between 1870 and 1940. This article describes a hiking route that will take you on an historic stage coach road past several old mines and settlements, ending at …
Continue reading “Hiking to the Roy Rogers Mine“
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Allan Hall on
October 27th, 2009The F-16 has been moved from between the runway and taxiway to the run-up area on the east end of the taxiway.
The first photo shows the jet sitting on a flatbed trailer. The second photo is a closer shot from a different location. You can see that the canopy has been closed and secured with a strap. Shortly after this shot they rotated the F-16 180 degrees so that the tail is near the truck cab.
I talked with Gus Haussler for a few minutes at the Master Aircraft hangar. He said there was discussion that the jet …
Continue reading “F-16 Update: Air Force Moves Plane“
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