1996-08-02_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M1977378

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SITE EVALUATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Gold Prince Mine and surrounding facilities represent the remains of a highly significant early gold and silver mine in the San Juan Mountains worked in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Historic research indicates the mine was the location of a very rich gold vein, producing a great deal of wealth for it's owners. While this site has been partially dismantled and is deteriorated, it still retains the basic layout of the mine,mill,boardinghouse, aerial tram, and associated features. In addition, there are intact artifact deposits located in the midden surrounding the boardinghouse that provide a wealth of information on the diet and economy of self contained mining community in a remote area on the western frontier. Due to the difficulty of traversing back and forth to Placer Gulch, the boardinghouse was constructed during the hey day of mining around 1906 to provide living quarters for the miners. The site can therefore provide a great deal of information on the differences between life in a mining town in contrast to life in a boardinghouse at a remote mining location. The historic record contains a great deal of information on certain aspects of mining life, but there are gaps in the understanding of many aspects of everyday life for the miners. Sites such as the Gold Prince Mine and it's associated features and artifact deposits can provide information on this topic. The Gold Prince Mine and surrounding facilities is also significant in that it represent a mine that was able to stay viable by mining gold during the infamous silver mining decline in Colorado of the 1890s. The site likely provided employment for many miners during the Silver Crash of 1893 and pumped capitol into the local economy at a time when other mining could not. Mines such as the Gold Prince were critical to keeping the economy rolling during this dark period in Colorado's economic history. During this period the states economy was highly dependent on mining and sites such the Gold Prince Mine kept the economy of the state going during a difficult time. The Silver Crash of the 1890's had repercussions at the national level as well, and the diversification of mining activities throughout the country at this time had a profound effect on the economy of the country. Capital from mines such as the Gold Prince was crucial for keeping the economic infrastructure of the nation fluid until the price of silver came back. The site is therefore associated with broad patterns of history(mining)which made an impact at the national, state, and local levels. In addition the site contains information that is likely to provide important data on the history of mining in the San Juan Mountains. Certain aspects of the broad pattern of mining in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are represented by this site, but it also has the potential to provide additional important historic information about certain aspects of economy, such as food and food ways on the western mining frontier. As such, it is recommended that the Gold Prince Mine and surrounding facilities is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places under criteria D, and possibly under criteria A.. The Gold Prince Mine and surrounding facilities may be considered a significant historic site, but there are parts of the site that can be viewed as non-contributing elements due to their relatively recent age, their lack of integrity, or the fact that they represent heavy mineral laden tailings that are contaminating the San Juan Mountain water shed. There is little of the site remaining intact in the southern portion where the majority of the reclamation work will be focused. The few surface remains in this area have been documented, and there is no remaining research potential from these features. Tailings piles and the tailings pond will be removed in the 25