Old Truck
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by Patti Thomas
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I loved this scene. I feel like it represents ghost towns all too well. Left overs. Things that prove we worked, played, and lived in a town that is no longer thriving. The circle of life as it is. This truck was 'put to pasture' like so many old things. Just the skeleton of the body that once was. It's old, dusty, and smelled of emptiness, hanging on to its last bolt to prove it ever was. A trophy of wealth now bankrupt.
Gold Hill Sign
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by Patti Thomas
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This sign is adjacent to the Mercantile. Very rough to read, even in person. But it tells of the mining production, Deep Creek Railroad, and the town history (in a nut shell). The town is located near the Deep Creek Mountains and was the main center for the mining district that was booming in the late 1800's through the early 1900's. Arsenic and Tungsten were hot items during the two World Wars, which kept this town alive.
Mercantile
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by Patti Thomas
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This is the town Mercantile. Much of the outer structure is still in pretty good shape, The interior has deteriorated with fallen beams, garbage, and partial walls that may have separated an office from the main store. There is a basement, but didn't appear safe to explore. A US Post Office operated in Gold Hill from 1911 to 1949.
Exchange Office
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by Patti Thomas
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This is the Gold Hill exchange office, where you would bring your gold and get money in exchange. Gold was first discovered in 1858, but the town didn't get established until around 1871 after a smelter was built. Gold Hill also produced copper, arsenic, silver, lead and tungsten. Arsenic had a great demand during WW1. The Deep Creek Railroad ran through Gold Hill, which allowed a lot of traffic for both people and product.
Cactus Bloom
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by Patti Thomas
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In a prairie empty of 'life' as it would be, this little gem decided it was ALIVE. It was so bright and proud in the monochrome background. It proudly boasts a fin pink hat, to top it's rugged exterior. Just goes to show you that all is NOT forgotten in old towns, some things know no time, and continue to exist like this beautiful little cactus.