Driving along Wildrose Canyon Road in Death Valley, we spotted a leaning, weathered sign for Aguereberry Point, Eureka Mine and Harrisburg Camp. Without question, we veered off the pavement for another dusty back road.
The dirt road, even with patches of the icy white flakes, was easy going for our minivan. Two miles later, tucked neatly out of sight and blending in with the snow-laden hillside. Harrisburg ghost camp appeared on the right.
Parking the car, we trudged through the snow, smiles and rising heart rates in tow. Eager to investigate the few dilapidated buildings which had been deserted sometime in the 1940s.
Still in pretty good condition, considering, we ventured into what was once Pete Aquereberry’s two-roomed homestead. The main room even has his old gas stove and fridge. Rusted, empty food cans sit on the cooking range, cast aside and left to rot.
Pete Aguereberry’s two-roomed cabin – slide show
It does give you an eerie feeling when you come across items like these left behind. From the porch looking out, you see broken wooden structures, metal fragments of machinery an old car a little way away. And you wonder how many times did Pete stand right here and look over the same scene.
The two-seated outhouse stands behind Pete’s cabin.
Bed frames remain in the guest house, built in 1941, and there is another building to the left.
Harrisburg ghost camp slide show
Pete Aguereberry, born in France in 1874, was 16 when he set sail for America — eventually making his way to California in the attempt to discover gold.
After meeting up with Shorty Harris at Furnace Creek Camp in 1905, the pair decided to do some prospecting and were heading to the small hamlet of Ballarat. Crossing the plains near Providence Ridge, they chose to search for mineral deposits in the area.
“Shorty”, a well-known gold-seeker, had been lucky with his strikes which included Rhyolite.
eureka mine
In 1907, finding gold on the ridge, Harris and Aquereberry came up with the idea of building a camp, calling it Harrisberry.
“Shorty” changed the name to Harrisburg, taking credit for the gold strike and sold his part of the claim in 1909 to the Cashier Gold Mining Company.
But being the wanderer that he was, “Shorty” left, leaving Aguereberry to continue to mine his “Eureka” site, which he did for over forty years until his death in 1945.
Cashier Mine Mill
They employed approximately forty workers to build and work the Mill. Powered by gasoline engines, the Mill pulverized the ore and using a chemical process of mercury and cyanide, extracted the gold.
Pete Aguereberry bought the Cashier Mill some years later, making his mining claims a total of eight within Death Valley. Historians estimate that during his lifetime, he extracted $175,000 worth of gold from Providence Ridge.
OUR EXPERIENCE
We have a fascination with mysterious places and enjoy exploring ghost towns, mines and other obscure locations. Eureka Mine and Harrisburg Site is no exception. We spent a couple of hours investigating the buildings and shafts and would thoroughly recommend a visit.
Unfortunately, at our time of adventure, the mines were closed because of the hibernating bats.
Standing up on the ridge and gazing out across the barren landscapes of Death Valley, you realize what a harsh place it can be. Even more so without the modern comforts, we have become accustomed. These brave pioneers risked everything for a taste of gold and lived very humbly in comparison. Now all that’s left of their livelihood sits broken dismantled and scorched on an easy to miss alcove off a dusty road.
Eureka mine and harrisburg camp – in a nutshell
- Address: Off Wildrose Canyon Road
- Two miles of unpaved road – 2-wheel vehicle OK
- Pull-in by Harrisburg camp
- Car park further along – take a right turn when you see the Mill (also on the right)
- Aguereberry Point is further along – High clearance recommended for this
- Mine shafts are dangerous – be aware, stay safe
- A bat gate closes the Eureka Mine in the winter due to hibernating Townsend’s long-eared bats.
- If you are going to explore the mine, take two flashlights, wear suitable boots, and ALWAYS tell someone where you are going
- Take plenty of water
- Watch for snakes and other bities in warmer weather
- Leave no trace – Pack it in, pack it out. Respect this historical site so others can enjoy it
LOCATION MAP
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