Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Davy Gilia (Gilia latiflora)
Davy Gilia (Gilia latiflora) also known as Hollyleaf gilia or broad-flowered gilia is a flowering plant commonly found in the open flats or sandy areas and can carpet the western Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree woodlands and endemic throughout California. This wild flower grows at 2500 to 4000 feet in elevation and grows to reach about 18 inches in height.
The plant features a tiny, small, five leafed flower about one inch in diameter. The flower is is purple in color and features a white throat to offer a beautiful display. The purple flowers are known to bloom between March and May.
Typically a Southern California Flower, the Davy Gilia has been observed in southern Nevada in the areas surrounding Rhyolite and Beatty, Nevada.
This Davy Gilia was photographed in the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve and the small purple flower was a highlight in the lush canvas of deep golden colored, California Poppies. It was common for a taller gilia flower to explode above the shorter California Poppies.
The California Poppy was the reason from my trip, however the gilia was the purple accent which made my trip.
Beavertail Prickly Pear (opuntia basilaris)
The Beavertail Prickly Pear cactus (opuntia basilaris) is very common in the desert south west, and would go most of the year most of the year without a second glance. However this species of cactus exemplifies the best of what the desert has to offer in one symbol.
The Beavertail Prickly Pear grows in clumps, low to the ground and grows horizontally rather than vertically like the iconic saguaro. The dull greenish grey leaves grows feature a complete lack of spines and a shaped which gives the plant it’s name. The pads of this cactus lake the spines traditionally associated with cactus, but rather the pads are covered with minuscule, gray-blue bristles which feature barbed tips which easily puncture human skin.
Each spring the cactus puts on a display of wild flowers which is amazing to behold in the arid desert environments. Typically starting the March, each cactus pad my put out several shoots which Colosseum in a burst of colors, most commonly a vibrant pink but also known to be yellow, white or rose colored.
The cactus typically grows in rocky , sandy plains, valleys, washes & canyons all over Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and Northern Mexico.
Downeyville Nevada
Downeyville Nevada is an old mining camp and ghost town located in Nye County, Nevada. In May 1877 silver-lead discoveries in the area caused a large influx of start up mining camps and development. Most people who came to the new and yet to be named town came from nearby Ellsworth.
So many people made the trip so quickly, that frequently, they were greeted with no accommodations. The new towns people were often forced to sleep outside or camp among the sage brush.
The town of Downeyville was founded in 1878 and had a population of 200 men. The small town boasted several stores, stables, saloons, stage lines which included Wells Fargo Express. A post office was added in March of 1879 and the town was named after the first postmaster, Mr. P. Downey.
By 1881 ore was shipped to the nearby Carson & Colorado railroad for processing, until a lead smelter was constructed in Downeyville, which did not occur until several years later. Like many boom towns, Downeyville Nevada passed into history with the next big discovery hit in Tonopah. Downeyvilles production from 1878 to 1901 is claimed to have produced between $7 million to $12 million worth of silver and lead. By 1901 the post office was discontinued and the town faltered leaving behind stone ruins.
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Resources
- Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, pgs 309,377, 437
- ForgottenNevada.org
- GhostTowns.com
Broken Hills Nevada – Mineral County Ghost Town
Broken Hills, Nevada is more a descriptive term than the name of a town. Broken Hills began life in 1913 when two Englishmen, Joseph Arthur and James Stratford prospected the site and gold was found in the area. After five years of effort, the founders of Broken Hills pulled only $68,000 of gold. The two men sold their claim to George Graham Rice.
Born Jacob Herzig, George Graham Rice appears to have been a ruthless self promoter with a get rick quick financial strategy and a criminal history for forging checks. The self serving Mr. Rice promoted the Arthur and Stratford mine, and sold shares of the property. Mr. Rice is said to have invested $75,000 of stockholder money into the mine and produced revenues of only $7,000.
There was a stockholder investigation, however nothing was pursued as George Graham Rice was now a resident in state prison for mail fraud. George Graham Rice was also a player in Rawhide, Goldfield, Bullfrog and Rhyolite Nevada.
Today, Broken Hills is empty. The buildings and people are all gone with the lone exception of a mine head frame. Broken Hills Nevada is located in Lincoln County, Nevada
Broken Hills Trail Map
Pine Grove Nevada – Lyon County Ghost Town
One of the lesser known yet longest running gold mining camps is Pine Grove, Nevada. Located in Lyon County, Nevada just East of the 338 highway .Pine Grove was founded in 1866 when gold was discovered by William Wilson and he founded the Wheeler Mine the following year. Within a year the town grew to about 300 people and the site was named Pine Grove Hills.
A post office was opened in 1868 in the small town along with a newspaper. A two stamp stamp mill was built to process the gold and silver ore.
The town of Pine Grove grew to 1000 people by the time the 1880s came around and the three mills processed $10,000 in gold bullion in a week. At its height, the town was spread out over a mile. The citizens enjoyed saloons, three hotels, stores, assorted businesses to support the mining effort. A dance hall was also built to keep everyone entertained.
The mining effort stalled in 1883 due to a depression in the United States. Work recovered, and the mines were again active from 1900 to 1910 with marginal results. Although there was some prospecting, mining ceased production for a final time in 1918.
The town continued to support a small population, however it finally expired in the 1930’s after over 50 years to activity.
Pine Grove Town Summary
| Name | Pine Grove |
| Location | Lyon County, Nevada |
| Post Office | Sept 1868-Oct 1869 Nov 1869-Nov 1912 |
| Newspaper | The Pine Grove Chronicle ( 1872-1872 ) |
Pine Grove Trail Map
Resources
- Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, Stanley W Paher
- Wikipedia