1
24-002
A History of Gold Mining in Oatman &Gold Road, Az
Terence P. “Terry” McNulty
T. P. McNulty and Associates, Inc., Tucson, AZ
INTRODUCTION
Gold-bearing outcrops were discovered in 1862 by Union
soldiers garrisoned at Needles, CA, near the northwest cor-
ner of the future State of Arizona. Sporadic mining began
several years later, but engineered shaft sinking and mill
construction were not adopted at Oatman and the neigh-
boring camp of Goldroad until about 1900. Geological
interpretations in 1915 enabled major production during
the next decade. In the late-1930s, USSR&M built a new
mine and mill in Gold Road and the District flourished
until closure by Federal Order L-208 in October 1942. For
about a decade, Oatman’s mines were among the largest
gold producers in the American West.
1850–1862
The following historical context was published by Donnell.
The Territory of New Mexico was an incorporated territory
of the United States from September 9, 1850, until New
Mexico Statehood on January 6, 1912. The Territory of
Arizona was a territory of the United States from February
24, 1863 until Arizona gained statehood on February 14,
1912.
Tensions between Mexico and the United States and
the United States’ need for a southern railroad route to
California led to the Gadsden Treaty, or so-called “Gadsden
Purchase.” This agreement, finalized in 1854, resulted in
acquisition of the southern portions of the New Mexico
Territory.
When the Civil War officially began on April 12, 1861,
turmoil resulted almost immediately in the New Mexico
Territory as the Confederacy moved to claim part of the
region. Motivations included access to mineral resources
and a secure route to California where it was believed that
sympathizers could be enlisted.
In July 1861, Jefferson Davis authorized Gen. H. H.
Sibley to march to Fort Bliss and take over New Mexico
Territory. There were a few skirmishes: The Battle of
Glorietta Pass east of Santa Fe, March 26–28, 1862, was
won by the Union, but the Confederacy won the brief
fight at Picacho Peak north of Tucson on April 5, 1862.
The matter was settled on July 8, 1862, when the Fifth
California Volunteers led by Gen. J. H. Carleton drove the
Confederates from the New Mexico Territory.
1862–1896
It was during Carleton’s occupation of New Mexico
Territory that gold was discovered in 1862 in what was ini-
tially named the San Francisco mining district. Many of
the soldiers were experienced miners from the eastern US
and they relieved the monotony of garrison duty by pros-
pecting, as reported by Ransome. At the time of Ransome’s
survey (1922), a “dozen or more” stone cabins reportedly
built by Carleton’s troops remained on Silver Creek, about
4 miles north of the future town of Oatman.
Around 1863–64, John Moss discovered free gold in
an outcropping vein one mile north of Silver Creek. Moss
may have recovered as much as $240,000 (about 11,600
ounces). $20.67) from a pocket near the surface, but exten-
sive subsequent development on the vein was disappointing.
Figure 1 is a map of Arizona showing the location of
the Oatman district as a blue rectangle (not to scale) near
the western edge of the state on old Highway 66. The dis-
trict measured roughly 7 miles wide by 10 miles long in
a north-south direction. It was 20 miles from Needles,
24-002
A History of Gold Mining in Oatman &Gold Road, Az
Terence P. “Terry” McNulty
T. P. McNulty and Associates, Inc., Tucson, AZ
INTRODUCTION
Gold-bearing outcrops were discovered in 1862 by Union
soldiers garrisoned at Needles, CA, near the northwest cor-
ner of the future State of Arizona. Sporadic mining began
several years later, but engineered shaft sinking and mill
construction were not adopted at Oatman and the neigh-
boring camp of Goldroad until about 1900. Geological
interpretations in 1915 enabled major production during
the next decade. In the late-1930s, USSR&M built a new
mine and mill in Gold Road and the District flourished
until closure by Federal Order L-208 in October 1942. For
about a decade, Oatman’s mines were among the largest
gold producers in the American West.
1850–1862
The following historical context was published by Donnell.
The Territory of New Mexico was an incorporated territory
of the United States from September 9, 1850, until New
Mexico Statehood on January 6, 1912. The Territory of
Arizona was a territory of the United States from February
24, 1863 until Arizona gained statehood on February 14,
1912.
Tensions between Mexico and the United States and
the United States’ need for a southern railroad route to
California led to the Gadsden Treaty, or so-called “Gadsden
Purchase.” This agreement, finalized in 1854, resulted in
acquisition of the southern portions of the New Mexico
Territory.
When the Civil War officially began on April 12, 1861,
turmoil resulted almost immediately in the New Mexico
Territory as the Confederacy moved to claim part of the
region. Motivations included access to mineral resources
and a secure route to California where it was believed that
sympathizers could be enlisted.
In July 1861, Jefferson Davis authorized Gen. H. H.
Sibley to march to Fort Bliss and take over New Mexico
Territory. There were a few skirmishes: The Battle of
Glorietta Pass east of Santa Fe, March 26–28, 1862, was
won by the Union, but the Confederacy won the brief
fight at Picacho Peak north of Tucson on April 5, 1862.
The matter was settled on July 8, 1862, when the Fifth
California Volunteers led by Gen. J. H. Carleton drove the
Confederates from the New Mexico Territory.
1862–1896
It was during Carleton’s occupation of New Mexico
Territory that gold was discovered in 1862 in what was ini-
tially named the San Francisco mining district. Many of
the soldiers were experienced miners from the eastern US
and they relieved the monotony of garrison duty by pros-
pecting, as reported by Ransome. At the time of Ransome’s
survey (1922), a “dozen or more” stone cabins reportedly
built by Carleton’s troops remained on Silver Creek, about
4 miles north of the future town of Oatman.
Around 1863–64, John Moss discovered free gold in
an outcropping vein one mile north of Silver Creek. Moss
may have recovered as much as $240,000 (about 11,600
ounces). $20.67) from a pocket near the surface, but exten-
sive subsequent development on the vein was disappointing.
Figure 1 is a map of Arizona showing the location of
the Oatman district as a blue rectangle (not to scale) near
the western edge of the state on old Highway 66. The dis-
trict measured roughly 7 miles wide by 10 miles long in
a north-south direction. It was 20 miles from Needles,