How to do historical mining research for gold and other valuable minerals, metals and gemstones. Free online research tools, Links to mining and geologic reports. Much more.
Also known as the Lost Cement Mine This is a newer version of a lost mine story related by Mark Twain in his book “Roughing It,” and also in W. A. Chalfant’s “Gold, Guns, and Ghost Towns.” It is the legendary Lost Cement mine, and so far as the records Read more…
This is a lost mine story of an incredibly rich gold ore, located somewhere along the south slope of Arizona’s rugged Harquahala mountains. The desert southwest has many stories of lost mines, some more believable than others. This one has quite a few historical facts. You be the judge. The Read more…
Another lost gold mine story from the vast Desert Magazine archive. Written by Frank Eads, an occasional contributor, in the May 1952 issue, this isn’t your normal lost mine story. This one is about the lost gold of Mono Lake and concerns an attempt to recover colloidal gold from it’s Read more…
I first came across the story of the Lost Emerald Mine of the Santa Rosa Mountains back in the 1980’s in a guidebook to the Anza Borrego area of Southern California. Years later I found the complete article in the December 1948 issue of Desert Magazine. Written by Marshall South. Read more…
Historical Mining News of the Southwest Old newspaper clippings and mining journal reports from back issues of Desert Magazine. I’ve consolidated some snippets of historic mining activity that may help in your research of places to prospect for gold and other metals & minerals. I’ve included the smaller gold and Read more…
This post is a practical guide to help you understand how to read topographic maps. I’m also going to discuss how to use them both at home and in the field. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has created a vast archive of topographic maps over the last 125 years Read more…
Online research tools to find gold How to find gold by doing some online area research. In this post, I’m going to outline the steps I use to research areas to find gold. By following the steps in this guide you can locate areas that may lead to some high Read more…
Every southwestern topic imaginable is contained in the back issues of The Desert Magazine. A huge archive of forgotten knowledge. Mining, prospecting, lost mines and much more. Free PDF downloads on my shop page. Enjoy The Desert Magazine of the Southwest