21.11.2021 (16:02:49)
The Blue Stocking Mine
Andrew James Harlan
As this photo appears in a February/March 1896 publication, this dates the photo to no later than early 1896, but more likely to 1895, I doubt 1894 but can't see anything in the view to rule it out either...
Why Mr. Harlan indicates Independence Mine No. 2 as Portland No. 2 I do not know, but this is at least the second image I've seen him do it on. Both are from around 1895/1896, so either that mine used to locally be known as that, or he just has his info crossed... Me think the latter. Other publications from this timeframe say that the structure is the Independence No. 2 Mine, including a Sanborn fire Insurance Map. The Portland No. 2 is further uphill from No. 1, in this view that would be outside the view at top right.
The small mine in the foreground is operations on the Blue Stocking Mine, not sure which part of the claim as per info in Hills 1900 Manual this claim is partly owned by two companies, whereas the Portland Gold Mining Company is one of those. Same is the Black Diamond, the Scranton and the Anna Lee mines, all marked out in this view, all of them also became part of the great Portland Gold Mining company.
About middle of image, top/down, the Midland Terminal roadbed of the mainline along Battle Mountain is seen, and in just a couple of years this scene will change very much as the dumps grows to immense dimensions.
I did procure the colored version of this image, if that is what you see. Source was grayish, or in common speech black & white. Used an online service and tweaked and worked with image to get what looks best to my eyes at the moment.
My Collection; From page 28 in the Quarterly Sentinel [Vol. 1 - 1896]. I did procure the colored version of this image. Source was grayish, or in common speech black & white. Used an online service and tweaked and worked with image to get what looks best to my eyes at the moment.

• Page 28; The Quarterly Sentinel [Vol. 1 - 1896; History of Cripple Creek] - Published in 1896.

I-00536
Photograph/Image [#411]
www.cripplecreekrailroads.com/01main/all_known_entities/pics_list-evry1_sort-newtop.php#41121.11.2021 (16:00:30)
Independence and Portland Mines, Battle Mountain, Cripple Creek Mining District
William Edward Hook
This view shows several of the earlier mines on Battle Mountain, looking in a westerly direction.
We see near left-hand side and about 1/3 from top-left the East and partly south side of the Old Independence Mine, with the ore-house in front of the shaft house, and partly hiding the west most part of it.
Further up the hill to right is seen the well-known Independence Mine (No. 1) with its large Shaft House.
If we go left about 1/3 from right-hand side, and about 1/4 down from top we see the large Shaft House of the Independence No. 2 shaft, with the M.T. railroad in front of it and not the greatest dump there yet. This makes this view earlier than a H.S. Poley view (My ID I-01172) which is dated around 1895, early 1896.
Further up the hill is seen several shaft houses that shall disappear as the Portland Mine expand and engulf several of them, and in this view the larger ore-house seen in the before mention Poley view, which I have thought of as part of the Portland mine, that is no-where here to be seen below the shaft house of the Bob-Tail mine which is the structure at left of the Independence No. 2 where a single smokestack is poking up near end of the long sloping roof on the right side.
A little left and downhill a tiny bit and more west is the smaller Shaft House of the Lowell Mine.
Just above the Independence No. 2 is the original Portland Mine, just behind the smokestack of the Independence.
The Black Diamond is located just left of the Portland mine, hard to see even in the 100% view of this photo. Hiding mostly also behind the Independence No. 2.
Above the Portland and to the right, near the top is the Anna Lee mine, with a small ore-house in front and a smokestack seems to be located outside the shaft house itself, or at least at the lowest end of the long roof.
Below the Anna Lee is seen the Scranton shaft, with its shaft house extended to make a different slope on the short roof side.

Copyright restrictions applying to use or reproduction of this image available from the Western History and Genealogy Dept., Denver Public Library, at photosales@denverlibrary.org.

• Denver Public Library: ⊞ Call Number: X-62585

I-01171
Photograph/Image [#84]
www.cripplecreekrailroads.com/01main/all_known_entities/pics_list-evry1_sort-newtop.php#84

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