Humbug! The Historical Archaeology of Placer Mining on Humbug Creek in Central Arizona

Author(s): James E. Ayers; A. E. Rogge; Everett J. Bassett; Melissa Keane; Diane L. Douglas

Year: 1922

Summary

In June 1986 the Bureau of Reclamation awarded Dames & Moore a contract for historical archaeological studies as part of the mitigation program for the Regulatory Storage Division (Plan 6) of the Central Arizona Project. While investigating dam construction camps along the Agua Fria River near Lake Pleasant, we discovered remnants of a late nineteenth century hydraulic mining complex along Humbug Creek. The southern portion of this complex is within the flood pool of the New Waddell Dam. This study focuses on the historical and archaeological evidence of the Yavapai Mining and Irrigation Company's operations along Humbug Creek in 1890-1891 and the circa 1915-1915 mining by the New State Hydraulic Company. Chapter 1 describes the project location, general research goals, and research methods. Chapter 2 discusses the technology and financing of gold placer mining in the American West. Chapter 3 presents results of the historical research. Chapter 4 details the archaeological evidence of the 1890s hydraulic mining operations including Camp Hattersley, the two dams, the ditch and tunnel system, a lime kiln, and several small camps along·Humbug Creek. The archaeological evidence of the more modest 1912-1915 mining operation is also described. Chapter 5 discusses other business ventures pursued by Daniel Keating and evaluates his entrepreneurial career within the historical context of the period.

Cite this Record

Humbug! The Historical Archaeology of Placer Mining on Humbug Creek in Central Arizona. James E. Ayers, A. E. Rogge, Everett J. Bassett, Melissa Keane, Diane L. Douglas. Phoenix, Arizona: Dames & Moore. 1922 ( tDAR id: 378152) ; doi:10.6067/XCV8NG4RH1

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

Keywords

Culture
Euroamerican • Historic • Historic Native American

Material
Building Materials • Ceramic • Fauna • Glass • Metal • Textile • Wood

Site Name
Camp Hattersley • The French Creek Camp

Site Type
Archaeological Feature • Artifact Scatter • Cairn • Communal / Public Structure • Domestic Structure or Architectural Complex • Domestic Structures • Encampment • Hearth • Historic Communal / Public Structure • Historic Structure • House • Kiln • Lime Kiln • Midden • Non-Domestic Structures • Quarry • Resource Extraction / Production / Transportation Structure or Features • Road • Road, Trail, and Related Structures or Features • Settlements • Structure • Tent Platform • Trash Midden

Investigation Types
Archaeological Overview • Collections Research • Data Recovery / Excavation • Ethnohistoric Research • Heritage Management • Historic Background Research • Reconnaissance / Survey • Site Evaluation / Testing • Systematic Survey

General
Central Arizona Historic Sites • Dam Construction Camps • Historic Dam And Reservoir

Geographic Keywords
Agua Fria • Central Arizona • Humbug Creek • New Waddell Dam • Roosevelt Dam • Salt River • Verde River

Temporal Keywords
Historic Period

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: 1890 to 1940

Spatial Coverage

min long: -112.687; min lat: 32.663 ; max long: -110.962; max lat: 34.565 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office

Field Director(s): Everett J. Bassett

Principal Investigator(s): A. E. Rogge; Cindy L. Myers

Project Director(s): A. E. Rogge

Sponsor(s): USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office

Permitting Agency(s): Arizona State Museum; US Forest Service

Repository(s): National Park Service; Western Archeological and Conservation Center

Prepared By(s): Dames & Moore

Submitted To(s): USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office

Record Identifiers

Report No.(s): DI-BR-APO-CCRS-92-9

Bureau of Reclamation Contract No.(s): 6-CS-30-04360

File Information

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