The year was 1907 and many still suffered from the gold fever that started almost six decades earlier.  Harold Ashford came to Death Valley in search of this treasure called gold.  While death Valley is known for the Twenty Mule Team branded borax mining, many other minerals were mined, including gold. 

Ashford discovered that the Keys Gold Mining Company had failed to do the proper assessment work on some of its claims and he took them over.  The Keys Company tried to sue Ashford to get them back but lost in court.  Ashford built the mill site on the floor of the valley, five miles from and 3,500 feet below his gold mine in the Black Mountains to the east.  The ore proved to be not as rich and the cost greater than the gold obtained.  Ashford leased the mine over the years.  At times the lease holders would fail to pay him.  Ironic the lease thief became a victim of thieves himself. 

Ashford and he and his two brothers would work the mine from time to time when not in court trying to get justice.  The last reported mining took place in 1941, 76 years ago.  All that remains of the mill site is the stone walls of an office and concrete footings of the mill.  The mine, miles up a steep road, offers the adventurous good exploring.  We only surveyed the mill site.

Death Valley has such a rich history and we enjoy exploring it.  As we are here for the art show later in the week, we will enjoy the rich diversity of visitors from all over the United States and from all over the world.