This is a Three Stamp Mill from the Argo Mine near Greeley Hill, California



Ponderosa Towing generously volunteered their equipment and time



Parts of the newly exposed Stamp Mill

In Mariposa County, during the Summer of 2008, the devastating Telegraph Fire destroyed trees, homes and over 34,000 acres of land before it was contained. The fire roared through private property, National Forest land and Bureau of Land Management  (BLM) land during the days that it burned. The fire laid bare land that was covered for years with ever thickening brush and trees. That made for some dangerous conditions on BLM land as old mining equipment became exposed. People were tracking all over the newly burnt ground looking for items. BLM was worried that people would fall into the old mine shafts or air vents that were made by the miners many years before.

One of the mines that became exposed had a Two Stamp Mill that lost most of it's wooden components as they were consumed by the fire. The Mariposa Museum and History Center became aware of this Stamp Mill and contacted BLM about removing it and moving it to the museum in Mariposa where it would be rebuilt for the publics enjoyment. This began a year of negotiations with BLM that required three specialists, a Botanist, a Wildlife Biologist and an Archeologist. They had to come out and look at the property where the Stamp Mill was located to make sure that it would be okay to remove the mill. BLM then gave the okay to have the Museum come out and take the Stamp Mill.

The Stamp Mill in the photo, to the left, is for reference on the parts that were picked up at the mine for the Two Stamp Mill.

Because of the remoteness of the location in Mariposa County, and the steep terrain, tow trucks were needed. Phil Stepp of Ponderosa Towing volunteered the service of two of his tow trucks to help with the project of removing the Stamp Mill. The day came to remove the mill from it's long time resting place. Everyone was ready and the weather looked good. The mill needed to be moved before the rainy weather came, in order to hopefully not get stuck back in the mountains with the heavy equipment.

On Friday, December 4, 2009 Ed Dreschler, Ron Loya, Mike Wenrich and Gary Williams of the Museum were on hand along with James Barnes of the BLM and Tom Griffin who lived in the area. Phil Step and his employee Mike were the tow truck operators. I was along to document this historical event with photographs. A wet weather system was forecast for the weekend and everyone was concerned that if they did not get the Stamp Mill today that the weather would keep them away until late Spring of 2010.

At 9:30 in the morning we began our descent down toward the Merced River Canyon and I was lucky enough to be with Phil in the big tow truck. After unlocking a gate for access the road became very washed out and continually was getting narrower as big branches scraped down the side of the truck. Some sections of the road were steep and had slippery areas where the sun had been shining for only a brief time to help dry the road out from overnight dew. Finally after being fully jostled around inside the trucks cab we reached the area where the mine was located.

Most of the equipment was down a short slope that required some skill in getting to the bottom to secure the towing cable to the multiple items. The museum volunteers were busy cutting and chopping branches away from the Camshaft and Stamps that were hidden by fast growing Blackberry vines. With precision Phil Stepp operated the controls that hoisted the equipment up to the top and then put them onto the second tow truck.

By 1:30 in the afternoon the second tow truck was loaded and we proceeded back up the mountain. The second tow truck was very heavy with the mining equipment and the road was steep and slippery within a quarter mile of leaving the mine. After a few runs at trying to make it up a steep section of road the truck became stuck and we were behind it. Luckily the cell phones worked and Phil was able to call Docs Towing from Oakhurst to come and help us. As the sun was setting in the West and the temps were dropping, and with only two 'Big Hunk' candy bars between us, we waited for the tow truck. Finally, after waiting for hours we could hear the tow truck coming down the road. We all smiled knowing we would not have to spend the night out on the cold mountain side. The tow truck hooked up the stuck truck and nothing happened except spinning tires. The tow truck then had to use his front winch and hook to trees in the area several times in order to climb the steep slippery terrain. Finally, as darkness settled in, both trucks were unstuck and we made it to the top of the mountain and off of the BLM property.

As the long day came to a close Phil and Mike continued onto the Museum and History Center to unload the Stamp Mill before they could call it a night. Eventually this Historic Stamp Mill will be assembled and the public will be able to enjoy a part of Gold Mining History in Mariposa County that makes Mariposa such a great place to live and visit.

Jerry Sarazin

*Artifact collecting is not allowed on BLM land without written consent. This Stamp Mill was removed with special permission from the BLM.

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