Oregon Quicksilver | Exploring the abandoned mines & ghost towns of Central Oregon
In this adventure, we set out into the backcountry of Central Oregon to explore the abandoned mines and ghost towns left behind by the state’s once-thriving cinnabar industry. Cinnabar, an ore which can be processed into mercury (called "quicksilver" in that era), was once a major part of Oregon’s economy through the 18th and 19th centuries due to mercury’s importance in the manufacturing of certain weapons which were important during both World Wars, as well as its use in the amalgamation of gold. However, the industry’s presence on the landscape was to be short-lived, as changing economies made the profitability of such mining fall through. Today, all that remains of the mines and processing buildings are decaying wooden shacks, collapsed shafts, and cement monoliths. In this documentary, we’ll visit some of the region’s most impressive ghost towns and learn about the history and technology that went into the Oregon cinnabar industry. With a few pleasant detours, lots of camping, laughs, and gorgeous locales, it’s an adventure sure to excite anyone interested in the backcountry of the Wild West.
Check out our other Oregon exploration videos:
• Oregon Exploration Adv...
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Пікірлер: 27
I love how you did research on the mines, that's how you do it. Been exploring abandoned mines since I was 12. Now I'm old. Most of the gold and mercury mines in central Oregon are collapsed but I know a few that are still open. Great video!
I love the area between antelope, shaniko, and fossil, reminded me of my camping trips out there from just a few years ago. Very well put together video my dudes
Amazing! Why doesn’t this video have more likes and views?
Great video,well put together ❤️
Hell yeah 5 speed 4runner😎
Been to a few of those spots. Nice video! Hopefully you guys made it to Opal Creek before the fires.
Thanks for a great video, I was born in Astoria and didn't know much until lately about the history. I was just used to it. Grew up in Washington mason county and realized the Tartarus history behind all of this. My grandma and grandpa were Mason and everything is starting to make sense. He claims he was a coal miner for Wallace Idaho but I think it was a mason thing thier as well. Our history is crazy. Love how you put this together and the hat's are awesome!
We had the privilege of exploring these places when we lived in Prineville. And we also did videos there. Such fun times!
Great video. Surprised I don’t see more from you two!
My grandfather, Edward Staley, had a small family cinnabar mine and mercury refinery out in the Ochocco mountains. Family lore was that a flood of cheap mercury from Franco's Spain wiped out the American mercury industry after tariffs were lifted. My grandmother used to mutter darkly about how Franco employed slave labor, mostly political prisoners, to mine the cinnabar. I don't know if there's any truth to that, but grandma remained bitter about it to the end of her 100 year life.
@ynnus_
Жыл бұрын
Wow that's pretty interesting for sure. Have you ever done any digging online to see if you could find anything more About it?
@stevenblackthorne4790
Жыл бұрын
@@ynnus_ Yes, but I have not found anything. I think the family mine was too small to merit anyone to write about it.
@keltongaskey
Жыл бұрын
Do you know where it is?
@stevenblackthorne4790
Жыл бұрын
@@keltongaskey Aside from being in the Ochocco mountains, no.
@keltongaskey
Жыл бұрын
@@stevenblackthorne4790 Darn
🤩Heck yes! Been waiting impatiently for this one 🙏
Awesome video!
My family owns alot of land in prinvile we would always be up in the ochocos at the mines as kids and now I go out there about every other weekend is a great spot
The black butte mine by cottage Grove is possibly the largest cinnabar mine in the world. The epa is supposedly cleaning it up
Valuable scrap metal. I think I saw some copper.
hey guys dm me I'll show you some old mines to explore
No actual mines? Just outside structures…☹️
@busterbiloxi3833
Ай бұрын
Make your own video or shut the hell up!
Watch out sticking your head and camera outside of the car while driving the blm lands in central Oregon there are free ranging cattle that like to graze on the road my buddy accidentally door checked on spitting his chewing tobacco out😂
My family own most of the land in Ashwood, good times ;)