Arizona

Vulture Mine, Arizona’s most productive gold mine

Published

2 years ago

June 10, 2022

Vulture Mine, Arizona’s most productive gold mine

VULTURE MINE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) – That is the story of Arizona’s most efficient gold mine, the Vulture Mine, and the neighborhood that grew up across the operation, Vulture Metropolis. The mine gave cause for the founding of the city of Wickenburg and its existence led to the event of central Arizona’s agricultural communities, together with Phoenix.

The web site is situated roughly 14 miles south of Wickenburg alongside Vulture Mine highway. The 12 months is 1863, the nation was within the midst of the Civil battle. Out west, within the newly designated Arizona Territory, Henry Wickenburg is looking the desert for a hen he simply shot, a vulture, in a rugged space 12 miles south of the Hassayampa River. Because the story goes, he’s wanting for his downed hen when he spots a ridge line containing a quartz outcropping. When he takes a more in-depth look, finds a vein of gold that finally ends up changing into the most efficient gold mine in Arizona historical past, the Vulture Mine.

That’s one model of how the mine was found. A extra probably case is that Wickenburg merely found the positioning and seen vultures flying overhead within the space, therefore the identify. What is evident is that the Vulture mine contained huge quantities of gold embedded in quartz that needed to be milled with a purpose to extract the valuable minerals from the rock. The milling operation and a method to energy it, water, was discovered alongside the Hassayampa River, 14 miles north.

Quickly, a neighborhood developed across the mine, it grew to become often known as Vulture Metropolis. An encampment additionally sprang up close to the milling operation alongside the Hassayampa River. It grew right into a small neighborhood and was named after the proprietor of the Vulture mine, Wickenburg.

So the mine named Vulture was producing ore which Wickenburg bought for $15 a ton. The neighborhood was rising with the profitable mine Vulture Metropolis quickly had an assay workplace, miners’ dormitories, a saloon, a brothel, a college, a publish workplace, a retailer, and in later years a fuel station. Over the following 30 years or so, Vulture Metropolis grew to a inhabitants of just below 5000 folks throughout its heyday.

The mine produced 200 million {dollars} of gold over its time. That’s what information point out, however maybe virtually as a lot disappeared into the pockets of miners, supervisors, and freighters. The locals say that 18 males met their finish dangling from a rope beneath the Ironwood tree that grows subsequent to Henry Wickenburg’s former house. Justice served up with a noose for high-grading ore, a elaborate identify for stealing gold from the mine. Though there aren’t any information of such hangings, the Ironwood tree remains to be there, as are the stays of Henry Wickenburg’s house.

A well known Arizona character, Jacob Waltz, higher often known as the “Misplaced Dutchman,” labored on the Vulture Mine for a number of years. Some historians say his well-known discover really originated from the widespread follow of stealing the Vulture’s wealthy sources. The Dutchman’s gold has by no means been discovered however many nonetheless seek for the fabled cache.

One other notable one who frolicked working on the mine was the founding father of Phoenix, Jack Swilling. The previous accomplice officer was a visionary as he seized the possibility to filter out the irrigation canals the Hohokam had dug generations in the past within the open desert close to the Salt river valley. Swilling raised cash to start out the ‘Swilling Irrigation and Canal Firm’ within the fall of 1867.

‘Swilling Irrigating and Canal Firm,’ began the small farming neighborhood that grew into Phoenix. Actually, Grand Avenue takes direct purpose at Vulture Metropolis due to the agricultural commerce exchanged between the 2 areas. Fairly merely, Phoenix grew up across the agricultural heart spawned by the wants of the Vulture Mine.

Tragedy struck in 1923 when 7 males died together with their pack animals deep in an space within the mine. The miners have been in an space the place a lot of the high-grade ore was mined out, save for the help pillars that held up the earth above. Over time miners had chipped away on the pillars to get to the high-grade ore contained throughout the help columns. On at the present time, a deadly whack on the rock holding up the ceiling induced the help to fail. The collapse buried them the place they stood, entombed to at the present time within the apply named melancholy the collapse left, “The Glory Gap,” coined as a result of the victims have been “despatched on to glory” throughout the incident. The second world battle compelled the operators of the mine to shut in 1942. Town quickly fell right into a ghost city mode, however regardless that the mine closed, prospector sorts nonetheless poked across the web site searching for one thing of price to drag from the bottom.

The realm the place Vulture Metropolis as soon as thrived was just lately bought this previous spring by personal house owners who’re engaged on restoration efforts of the outdated buildings to take care of a resemblance to the outdated metropolis. It is among the most intact stays of an Arizona ghost city.

Undertaking supervisor, Dave Echeverria, says work is continuous on the 21-acre ghost city to organize it for guests within the coming months. “There’s numerous historical past right here,” says Echeverria, He says the previous city web site will be open for restricted excursions round October 15. Info is on the market on the Vulture Mine Excursions web site. It’s a straightforward drive out of Wickenburg to the Vulture Mine. Merely take Vulture Mine highway south out of Wickenburg. Vulture metropolis is situated between milepost 14 and milepost 15.

Close by, the mining operation can be beneath new possession. The thrill of exercise across the outdated mine is spectacular, however they have been tight-lipped about the operation, maybe they don’t need to entice the eye of any high-graders!

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Arizona

2 Arizona women found dead in overturned truck on Mexican highway

Published

6 hours ago

August 27, 2024

Press Room

2 Arizona women found dead in overturned truck on Mexican highway

Mexican authorities were investigating the death of two Arizona women after their bodies were found on Friday along a highway in Sonora, Mexico, the northern state that borders Arizona.

Around 10:30 a.m., Mexican authorities received reports of two women dead inside an overturned vehicle on the Sonoyta-Caborca highway, the exterior of the vehicle marked with bullet holes, the Sonora Attorney General said in a news release on X, formerly Twitter.

The attorney general only released the last name of the two women, identifying them as 72-year-old and 82-year-old Arizona residents originally from Caborca, a city in northern Sonora.

Mexican investigators believed the two women had been attacked on the road. Authorities found a stolen Ford F-150 truck, along with firearms, ammunition and ballistic vests believed to be related to the shooting, according to the news release.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson with the U.S. Department of State confirmed the death of the two women, both U.S. citizens.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” said the spokesperson.

The State Department was “closely monitoring the situation,” but declined to provide further details.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation was assisting Mexican authorities with the case, a spokesperson with the Phoenix field office said.

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Arizona

Arizona football vs. New Mexico picks, predictions, odds: Who wins Week 1 college game?

Published

16 hours ago

August 27, 2024

Press Room

Arizona football vs. New Mexico picks, predictions, odds: Who wins Week 1 college game?

The Arizona Wildcats host the New Mexico Lobos in a Week 1 non-conference college football game on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson.

Which team will win the game?

Check out these picks and predictions for the game, which is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. MST and can be seen on ESPN (stream with this free trial from FUBO).

Arizona was 10-3 last season. New Mexico went 4-8.

Arizona football is a 30.5-point favorite over New Mexico in the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

The Wildcats are -10000 on the moneyline. The Lobos are +3000.

The over/under for the game is set at 54.5 points.

Arizona holds a 44-20-3 advantage in the all-time series against New Mexico, winning the most recent matchup in 2015.

Sports Chat Place: Bet Arizona to cover against New Mexico

Shane Mickle writes: “Arizona could win this game 70-0 and it wouldn’t shock me. They are the much better team in this matchup, and they are going to have no issue. The New Mexico defense is going to have some major issues and Arizona is going to run up the score. New Mexico’s offense will have no answer, and Arizona is going to have no issue getting the job done here. Back Arizona against the spread.”

Dimers.com: Arizona 41, New Mexico 11

The site gives the Wildcats a 98% chance to win their game against the Lobos on Saturday night in Tucson, while giving New Mexico a 2% chance to beat Arizona.

Arizona football predictions: Game-by-game picks for Wildcats in 2024 season

Bet Arizona: Arizona football a huge favorite against New Mexico

Mike Ferguson writes: “As a four-plus-score favorite, Arizona is expected to roll big in Brennan’s debut. To compliment a 10-3 record last season, the Wildcats were even better against the spread, going 11-2. New Mexico was worse against the spread (3-8-1) than it was overall (4-8) in 2023.”

Arizona football vs New Mexico tickets: Best prices for Week 1 college football game

Odds Shark: Arizona 35.2, New Mexico 19.2

The site predicts that the Wildcats will win the game against the Lobos, but they are taking New Mexico with the points. It recommends taking the under for the over/under point total.

Arizona football schedule: Dates, times, TV channels for Wildcats’ 2024 season

ESPN: Wildcats have a 92.7% chance to defeat Lobos in Week 1

The site’s matchup predictor gives New Mexico a 7.3% chance to beat Arizona at Arizona Stadium in Tucson on Saturday.

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STREAM THE GAME:Watch Arizona football vs New Mexico live with FUBO (free trial)

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

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Arizona

Brent Brennan Has Arizona Wildcats on Alert After Surprising Week 0 Results

Published

1 day ago

August 26, 2024

Press Room

Brent Brennan Has Arizona Wildcats on Alert After Surprising Week 0 Results

Arizona was able to sit back and watch the opening weekend of the college football season.

When all the action was done, they probably let out a sigh of relief that they were home instead of playing in one of the four games that showcased schools across different levels of the sport.

Before Week 0, the slate was largely looked upon as an appetizer since there wasn’t a single game projected to finish within a single-digit margin.

Instead, it delivered some surprising results.

First, the preseason ACC favorites, Florida State, were upset by Georgia Tech in a shocking game that has been the talk of the college football world since the walk-off field goal went through the uprights.

That was followed by FCS program Montana State getting dominated as double-digit favorites by Arizona’s upcoming opponent, New Mexico, before mounting a late 17-point fourth quarter comeback.

Massive favorites SMU and Hawaii were also pushed a bit during their contests, something that was unexpected.

So, as the Wildcats get ready to take the field in Week 1 against New Mexico, head coach Brent Brennan is making sure his players took notice about what occurred over the weekend, and what can happen if they don’t come ready to play.

“It’s definitely something we talk about. Every game is a different game, and it’s all about how you prepare, and what your mindset is going into it. I don’t know why those things happened the way they did on Saturday, but credit to those teams that either pressed those teams to the edge or, when it comes to Georgia Tech, found a way to get it done,” he said at his weekly press conference.

Brennan thinks they benefited by being able to watch the Lobos take on Montana State, since it gave him and his team an idea about what they should expect when these two teams face off on Saturday.

“They look like they play hard. They’re definitely creative defensively, and offensively they’ve got some weapons. I feel like they were one catch away from it being over. They’re going to be ready to play,” he said.

So how can Arizona avoid the fate of Florida State, or almost being upset like the other big favorites in Week 0?

“My message to the team is, it’s all about us. It’s about our process and how we prepare. It’s very, very simple, it’s boring and it’s not sexy … It’s about us and this football team and how we go about our business this week preparing for this game, and then how we show up on Saturday,” he added.

That’s certainly the right mindset to have.

This is a game Arizona should dominate if they are truly going to contend for a Big 12 Conference title, let alone a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Whether that happens or not will be determined on Saturday.

For a more in depth preview of this matchup, click here.

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