Purkapile
Bunkerhill
Nashville Claim
In 1897, a group of Trinidad men purchased several claims located along the West Fork of Placer Creek and about three miles from the valley road. These claims which included the Jayhawk, Alpine, National, and Buena Vista were combined under the name of the Jayhawk Gold Mining and Milling Company. H. J. Luce was hired on as manager and soon a fifty foot shaft was dug along with three hundred feet of tunnel. New housing was put in place in addition to a new boiler and crusher. Ore was treated at the June Bug Mill in Red River City, five miles away by road.
By 1903 the Jayhawk was the most prominent mine in the area. New tunnels were dug and soon several hundred tons of twelve to eighteen dollar ore had been collected. The mine owners purchased the June bug Mill and built a new road down Placer Creek so that the ore could be more easily transported. They also considered building a mill at the mine site but before this could happen, mismanagement led to prolonged litigation which resulted in closure of the mine.
In 1910 there was a general optimistic recovery of the mining interests in the Red River area and many of the old mines were re-worked. At about this time the Jayhawk was purchased by the Caribel Mining and Milling Company and work in the mine once again got underway. A new mill was constructed along with a boarding house and bunk house. Over the next few years a modest amount of ore was produced, but the mine hardly covered expenses. World War I called a halt to much of the mining production in the area and this included the Jayhawk.
Remains of Mine
Mine Entrance
Jayhawk Tailings
