About 40 miles northeast of Quartzsite, WAY out in the desert, lies the ghost town of Swansea. The buildings there are about 100 years old. This was the general store.
Swansea was first a silver mine, but when the silver ran out, it became a copper mine. That's when this power plant was built.
This Dust Chamber was part of the smelting process, used to extract the copper. By 1909, the town grew to 500 people, and included saloons, a post office, and even a moving picture house.
There are still many deep mine shafts in the area.
The first train arrived at this adobe depot on the new Swansea Railroad in 1910. By May of that year the furnaces began producing the first copper at a rate of 50 tons a day.
I think I found a little piece.
Of course, the main reason I came was to find "rusty stuff." There was a lot of it - both big -
And small.
My sister,
Barbara, looks very comfortable on these rusty springs.
But how did they get water to the town? Through this pipeline, about 4 miles long. We set out to find the pumping plant on the river.
The guys gather to confer....
Here's the source of the water - the Bill Williams River. There are supposed to be wild burros around here. Others saw them, but all I saw was -
About 40 miles northeast of Quartzsite, WAY out in the desert, lies the ghost town of Swansea. The buildings there are about 100 years old. This was the general store.
Swansea was first a silver mine, but when the silver ran out, it became a copper mine. That's when this power plant was built.
This Dust Chamber was part of the smelting process, used to extract the copper. By 1909, the town grew to 500 people, and included saloons, a post office, and even a moving picture house.
There are still many deep mine shafts in the area.
The first train arrived at this adobe depot on the new Swansea Railroad in 1910. By May of that year the furnaces began producing the first copper at a rate of 50 tons a day.
I think I found a little piece.
Of course, the main reason I came was to find "rusty stuff." There was a lot of it - both big -
And small.
My sister, Barbara, looks very comfortable on these rusty springs.
But how did they get water to the town? Through this pipeline, about 4 miles long. We set out to find the pumping plant on the river.
The guys gather to confer....
Here's the source of the water - the Bill Williams River. There are supposed to be wild burros around here. Others saw them, but all I saw was -
Really interesting as the original Swansea is only 40 miles from where I am. Swansea UK had a history of iron , tin works as well as being a sea port. I have heard of Cardiff by the sea in Calif. but this new. Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteLove these pictures! Thanks so much for sharing. Ghost towns and such are something that Donna and I really enjoy seeing.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about “Swansea” this morning. Thanks for the great tour and photos.
ReplyDeleteJohn
relaxedrush.blogspot.com
This was so informative and fun to read... and as always the pictures were AWESOME!!!
ReplyDeleteHave fun & Travel safe
Donna
That pipe sure seems small to provide water to 500 people. Interesting post today, as usual. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat FIND On the copper chunk--and love the old rusties--
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was Booming at one time there is Swansea-enjoyed this post very much great photos-even the donkey apples!
Another Rusty Stuff Fix! ;c)
ReplyDeleteDoes Ron let your sister drive their motorhome? After the job she did on that truck you pictured I wouldn't blame him if he didn't!
Another great story. Enjoy the history lessons you include with your photos. You would have made a great teacher.
ReplyDeleteGhost Towns are always interesting places to visit, thanks for showing this one to us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking me along. Imagine - all those years visiting Quartzsite and we never heard of it. We can cross that one off our life lists!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. All things considered, I would rather have spotted the burros directly. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like what you found is indeed copper.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had known about this town during any of our many visits to Q. Seems there is always something new (or old) to explore.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post and loved seeing all the pictures of the old buildings thanks so much for sharing :o)
ReplyDeleteA photographer's paradise! I have to visit there one day. Thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteFascinating photos, and that mine shaft warning sign looks simple but very effective. I recall a trip to Hawaii's active volcano, where at the "don't go past here" location there was no fence. Instead, there was a very effective sign telling stories of people who had gone past that point and died.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos...loved the "tour". We may have to rethink our decision to NOT get a 4WD toad...and it's all your fault LOL!!
ReplyDeleteGreat tour of Swansea. Linda & I love Ghost Towns. Can't wait to get out in your neck o' the woods, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteSure looks like a lot of fun and a great Jeepin' Day!!!
ReplyDelete~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Karen and Steve
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/
you have the best blog going I read it almost daily.
ReplyDelete