Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, San Crisobal Mine, New Almaden, CA
A trip down the history lane this weekend... Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum is a small museum/large mansion that used to belong to the manager of the mine back in the 1900's. The museum occupies only the first floor of the house, but it gives you a good idea of why the Almaden Quicksilver Mine was so important to the history of Almaden. In fact, I would recommend it to be your first stop before hiking anywhere in the Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Docents are really amazing there, and it is free ($2 donation is recommended).
Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum
Well-manicured gardens by the museum
Imagine this implanted in your chest???
Model of the mining furnace
Stuff with mercury...
Some weird drilling equipment
Apparently, they thought mercury had anitibiotics properties. Yeah, killing everything, even human body...
You couldn't go up, but the house was impressive
Beautiful veranda
Landscaping in the back of the house
California...
The second part of the trip for me was the walking tour of the town. At the museum, they can provide you with a map of historic cottages right on the way to Almaden Quicksilver County Park (yes, you can leave your car by the museum and walk to the park, while enjoying some town history).
Lots of cottages remain original features since they now are historic attractions.
The roof is still tiled with what look to be original tiles
This house was just strange... Take a look at the cactus on the roof.
And finally, the hike. I decided to see the San Cristobal Mine, the only mine that was still not sealed. Unfortunately, due to heavy rain in the past several months, the entry was closed and you could only see the mine from the outside.
The hike itself was pretty awesome. I took Mine Hill Trail all the way to the San Cristobal Mine.
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