Archive Record
Images
Additional Images [4]
Metadata
Catalog number |
1997.2.2581 |
Object Name |
Newsletter |
Date |
1985 |
Description |
TITLE: Quicksilver County Park News SUBTITLE: Newsletter of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association Issue # 8 December 1985 GRANT TO ASSOCIATION HELPS WITH THE CARE OF THE MERCURY MINING MUSEUM. In August, 1985 your association received a grant of $5000 from the Stelle B. Gross Foundation. The grant will be used for the coding, arranging and display of the mercury mining collection purchased by the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department. Louis O'Neal of the law firm of Rankin, O'Neal, Center, Luckhardt, Lund and Hinshaw was instrumental in procuring this grant to further the work of the Association. Your board felt it was necessary to preserve the artifacts from the museum and prepare for the opening of a temporary museum at the site on Connie Per ham's property while the museum is being constructed at the Reduction Site. We are very grateful to Mr. O'Neal and to Mr. Larry Norris, Director of the Parks Department, for arranging this grant to help the Association with one of its many projects. ASSOCIATION GOALS As the third year of activities comes to a close, a look at our purpose seems fitting. The Association was formed to: 1) Increase public awareness, understanding, and enjoyment of the historical, recreational, biological and geological resources of the Almaden Quicksilver County Park. 2) To encourage and facilitate community involvement in: a) The development, maintenance, and protection of recreational facilities within the Park b) The commemoration, restoration, interpretation, and protection of historical resources within the Park c) The interpretation, management, and protection of natural resources within the Park d) The establishment and operation of interpretive programs and facilities within the Park. PO. Box 124, New Almaden.CA 95042 With these goals in mind, your Association worked on projects to protect-and enhance Quicksilver Park: 1) Special guided tours of historical, geological, botanical, and biological nature have been conducted every spring and summer through the restricted area. 2) Trails have been cleared and culverts refurbished. 3) The mercury mining collection has been videotaped, inventoried and purchased. 4) Architectural plans for the reduction site, the mine office and the interior for a museum are complete and ready for construction. 5) The plans, the contractor and the financing are all completed for the restoration of the historic house on mine Hill as a caretakers' residence. Construction will soon commence. 6) Your members have been active in promoting the park: a) New Almaden Days in September b) Living History Day at Kelly Park Museum c) Lectures and slide presentations to numerous groups throughout the county d) Barbecues and special tours for members, The Santa Clara ._ County Parks and Recreation Commission, The Historic Heritage Commision, The Board of Supervisors and The County Executive Office e) Pioneer Days where families who worked and lived in this mining community are brought together to give us added insight into the historic nature of the Park. Our three years of existence have been fruitful but there is still very much to do. Help us if you can! QUICKSILVER PARK ASSOCIATION MEETING SCHEDULE, DATE PROGRAM JAN 29, 1986 Controlled burning--Henry Colleto 7:30 PM Location: New Almaden Community Club on Bertram Rd. Feb 26, 1986 Reduction Work Designs--Charles Rockwell, Parks Dept. 7:30 PM Location: New Almaden Community Club on Bertram Rd Mar 26, 1986 Park work and projects--Mike Cox, geologist Apr 30, 1986 Miners' tales to tell--Frank Kambish and Chuck Rich PIONEER DAY--ONE TO REMEMBER Kitty called me a while back and said all Association Board members had to do their duty by writing an article apiece for the Newsletter. After some discussion we decided I should do one on my recollections of Pioneer Day. Not knowing exactly how to organize and write down all my happy memories, I decided to start at the very beginning and hop, skip and jump through the rest of it. My first job occurred on Thursday before Pioneer Day when I had to pick up 150 chairs from Castellero Middle School. A steady stream of little boys dressed in black and grey and each carrying a chair reminded me of a colony of ants carrying food to their nest. In no time at all the job was accomplished, and I met Kitty and Mike and we went up the hill and unloaded and stacked the chairs behind the iron door inside the San Cristobal for safe keeping. By the time we finished it seemed like we had handled 1500 chairs instead of a mere 150 Saturday morning I got up expecting to see a gorgeous day. Instead it was overcast, cold and miserable, however, by the time I arrived in New Almaden the sun was peeking through the overcast and the day ended by being one of the loveliest of fall days. Up at the San Cristobal, all was in a state of disarray but when it was time for the first guests to begin arriving shortly after 11, chairs were set up for the dedication, picnic tables were covered with bright tablecloths, and mouth-watering aromas were filling the air, I was in charge of the parking lot and immediately I had a problem--try as I did I couldn't unlock the lock so I could open the gate to let the buses take the passengers up the hill. "I guess I'm going to have to tell everybody they'll have to hike up", I thought to myself but luck was with me. In the nick of time Dennis Beeson arrived and deftly unlocked the gate. A big sigh of relief at this point! Patience and goodwill were shown by all those in the parking lot while they waited for the buses to make their long slow trip up and down the hill. Eventually all were on their way and as I was climbing into my friend's truck to bring up the rear I noticed a head among the cars. A few silent expletives about tardy people got me over to the head which turned out to be two people from SJSU's Channel 54 with all their equipment and hoping to cover the event. Super! They had never been to New Almaden and had gotten lost several till's. I apologized for my thoughts and told them to follow us up. There I noticed a man in a blue jacket walking down the road and looking our way. I decided not to let exasperation get the best of me-- we were already one hour late so a few more delays wouldn't matter--and asked if he was planning to go up the hill. As he was telling me that he certainly was going to participate, I recognized Father Nojia. Luck was with me again, I think. The speakers at the dedication were exceptional--not one thought he was more important than the others so the speeches were short, to the point and so interesting. When it came time for lunch, Norm Pope decided not to go up to the picnic area because it was too difficult. A group of strapping young men was standing nearby talking to Clyde Arbuckle so I asked them for some help with getting Norm and the wheelchair up the hill. Almost before the words were out of my mouth, "the boys", including Clyde, whisked Norm up the hill and got him seated at a table. I could go on recalling happy memories. Instead some quotes from comments made after the event seem to summarize the day best: Our family had a wonderful time that day.. "Another memory to add to past ones of New Almaden experiences...", "My dad will fondly remember his 75th birthday and all the wonderful people...", "your combined enthusiasms are contagious...", "Your group surely knows how to put on a good party...", "It took me back to my days at Club Almaden...", "Such nice people and such a good meal...", ..your lovely and good and filling lunch...", "The grand function...", "What magnificent country!" Virginia Hammerness PARK TOURS START IN APRIL The New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association will offer tours of Quicksilver Park again this coming spring and summer. We made many new friends and members last year with the tours. The tours were very well attended. This is an invitation for more of you to become involved with this particularly enjoyable activity of the Association. The tours are great fun and very interesting. We need people to help in the following areas: transporting visitors in your trucks, explaining about wildlife in the park, giving historical talks about the history of Englishtown, Spanishtown and the Hacienda. The tours are given approximately every two weeks on Saturdays. They are from 9:00 am until about 4:00 pm (sometimes our guests want to stay and chat). These tours are some of the most enjoyable Saturdays you could spend. The Park is great and the guests are always fascinated and impressed by our guides. If you are unable to volunteer your Saturdays you could join us on one for a tour. Contact Kitty, our tour guide extraordinare, at 268-6541 to volunteer or register for a tour. AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE! What's 60 million years old and going strong? That grinning possum of course! Most pouched animals live in the land down under but the 'possum is our one representative of the marsupials. He's been around since the dinosaurs roamed the earth---he's still here, and he's doing better all the time. Once found only in the South, the 'possum now can be found even in parts of Canada. Between 1905 and 1910, captive animals escaped in Los Angeles and Santa Clara and now virtually every part of the Golden State has 'possums. The success of the opossum lies in his lack of specialization. Almost anything is on his dietary list. Food can be found on the ground or in the tree tops. The forest, farmland or city make a suitable home. Only the driest deserts and the coldest Northern areas limit his distribution. Baby 'possums certainly do not look like a success story in the making. Born only 13 days after conception and only about the size of a bumblebee, they have no developed eyes or ears and only bumps for hind legs. On top of this they have to reach their mother's pouch on their own. Most females have about 12 feeding stations within their pouch but they may give birth to as many as 18 young. Those young that reach a milk gland clamp on for the duration. With the 'possum, late arrivals miss out entirely and their life is very short. At a month of age the survivors may peek out of the pouch but are still too young to come out. By two months the little 'possums are mouse size. Some have been lost due to accidents or a short milk supply. They now frequently go for rides on mother's back. At three months, despite being only rat-size, they head off to fend for themselves. Like all 'possums they wander all over. Often they use a different den or sleeping place almost every day. Night is their usual feeding time and that is when they are most often encountered. Little 'possums are killed and eaten by a great variety of predators. When frightened they may go into a state of shock. Some timed their "playing 'possum'so surprises an enemy that escape becomes possible when an attacker becomes inattentive to the "dead" 'possum. Although this strange animal readily shows its 50 teeth, it does not bite and is almost defenseless. It is obvious from the number killed on our local roads that there is apparently a large population of the unusual creatures about. Opossums have lived in the quicksilver Park for years now. They usually wander the trails after dark when visitors have left. Don't be upset if they come down to dine from your garbage can some evening. After 60 million rough years they deserve a night on the town. Bob Clement REASONS TO RUN I look forward to running in Quicksilver Park. It's a quiet place. A place to go when a person wants to spend time away from the sounds of the city. The park provides an opportunity to get a little mental relaxation. Trails wander through the trees and offer glimpses of the animals in their native habitat. Each season is special, offering a slightly different background throughout the year. Summer is a time to have fun. A11 the trails are open and provide 28 miles for a runner to work out and still stay within the park boundaries. The days are warm but mornings are cool so a good time to begin a workout is early in the day finishing by 9 or 10 o'clock. The evening light permits running 'till 8:00 o'clocK or later. In the fall the days become shorter and don't allow as much selection of running times but those who can schedule their time are justly rewarded. The deer become bold and small herds can be seen from the trails. It isn't uncommon to see the bucks defending their harems. Many of them have good size antlers and seem quite capable of handling their responsibilities. Winter is fast approaching and all of the trails won't be passable. Fortunately mine hill trail drains quickly and can be used a couple of days after a heavy rain. It's a long steep trail but some walking breaks thrown in here and there will let a runner make it to the trough at the top of the hill. It can get very cold so carrying a windbreaker on a cool day is advisable. Though the days are short now, they will soon be getting longer after the first of the year. The warm spring rains will come and the park will come to life. The grass will become green. Fresh smells, wildflowers and the emergence of the animals will lighten the heart and make everyone aware of the life within and around themselves. Gentle breezes will dry out the trails and make them passable. Soon the season of renewal will be upon us: Dick Forst A WALK THROUGH THE QUICKSILVER We as residents of Santa Clara County, I believe, are very fortunate in having access to many beautiful County and State parks especially the Almaden Quicksilver County Park. How many counties in the United States can boast of having as many? As a member of the Sierra Club and Santa Cruz Mountain Trails Association, I have hiked in most of the parks in our county and in adjacent counties. Although each have scenic attractions, Almaden has them in abundance. The variety of views of the mountain ranges including closeups of Loma Prieta and Mt. Umunhum, together with panoramic views of the Santa Clara valley are unforgettable. In addition, the historic background of the quicksilver mines in New Almaden is of special interest to me since it was my introduction to California and where I lived my first two years. I arrived January 16, 1936 as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps at the camp on top of the hill on the site of what had been Englishtown during the mining days. Acting as one of the volunteer docents for the Almaden Tours this past summer (conducted by the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association), I have witnessed the intense interest and enthusiasm of many people for the region's attractions; scenic, historic, flora and fauna and geologic. As a hiker I have led several groups along some of its many beautiful hiking trails. For the horseman there are also excellent horse trails. Each time I have been in the park I have met other hikers, riders and joggers, which means it is obviously being used and appreciated. Since the people I have encountered have expressed positive interest, every effort should be made to make :rare people aware of this area. The best method to acquaint them is to encourage them to take one of the next seasonal tours. I wonder how many county residents have lived their entire lives, from birth to death, without enjoying the experience of any of our county parks or even realizing they exist. Freidolin Kessler MINE CLOSURES The New Almaden mine closure project is scheduled to terminate before the Christmas season. During this project nearly 80 closures of dangerous mine openings were accomplished. Completion of the closures represents a significant reduction in public liability exposure for the park system. During a construction period of about 1 year the County expended about $260,000 to accomplish these closures. This is a significantly smaller sum than expended by other agencies to close a comparable number of openings. The County should be praised for undertaking this project before any serious accidents of record occurred. We consider the cost of the project to be negligible against the value of the many lives which may have been saved by the work. In addition to sealing dangerous mine openings, the project has also resulted in the preservation of the Buena Vista Shaft foundation, Harry Tunnel, San Cristibal Tunnel, and Victoria Shaft for future generations of park enthusiasts. Another by-product of the project was the repair of several trails which were dangerous during wet weather particularly the Mine Hill trail landslide near Englishtown and the Provindencia Mine trail. The Department of Parks and Recreation wishes to thank park users for their support and patience during the project and regrets any inconvenience which may have occurred. This work has made Quicksilver a better and safer park for us all. Mike Cox VOLUNTEER MOUNTED PATROL We are in the process of organizing a volunteer horse patrol in New Almaden Quicksilver Park. Volunteers will provide information to park visitors concerning trail conditions, directions, general park information, rules and regulations, natural history, and related subjects. They will assist in fire detection and reporting, searching for lost persons, trail maintenance, reporting illegal camping and trespass, and other resource management activities as required. Those interested in more information please call: Sandie Holden (997-1948) or Kitty Monahan (268-6541). MUQUIS AND TOMMYKNOCKERS--GREMLINS OF THE MINE When foreign miners came to New Almaden they brought their legends with them. Along with their legends came peculiar little underground demons. Muquis (moo-kees) are devilish little fellows who cause all kinds of trouble in Latin American mines. Tommyknockers are little mischief-makers who cause all kinds of trouble in Cornish mines. These demons are stealthy little gremlins that live deep underground. They are rarely seen and then only in the darkest loneliest recesses of the mine but their handy-work is always obvious. Legend has it that these gremlins resent the intrusion of surface dwellers who come to steal their ore. They vent their anger with all kinds of dirty tricks. Cutting hoist ropes, pulling down timbers, stealing tools, and flooding workings are just a few tricks of the Muquis and "Knockers". Despite their rather rude behavior, most of these little demons would not injure miners directly unless ridiculed or cursed. All of these gremlins seem to have a similar appearance whether Cornish or Latin. They are usually no more than 4 feet tall, have a greenish complexion, long pointy ears, black hair, horns, and a long goatee. The Moquis and Tommyknockers at New Almaden are much more content now that the miners are gone but they will occasionally come to the surface to scare people and hopefully keep them away. They seem to surface only on dark, overcast nights. As their wispy, grotesque forms slip in and out of the shadows they delight in shrieking and playing the same dirty tricks they do underground. If you ever see one of these creatures you had best run away for where there is one there are many. Many a miner has disappeared on a dark stormy night, never to be seen again. Mike Cox Many thanks to Mr. Larry Norris who supported the Quicksilver Park Association an all its endeavors. We appreciate your continuous effort on behalf of the Quicksilver Park. |
People |
Norris, Larry Perham, Constance (Mrs. Kambish) Coletto, Henry Cox, Michael Kambish, Frank A. Rich, Chuck Besson, Dennis Nojia, (Father) Pope, Norman Arbuckle, Clyde Hammerness, Virginia Giannini Clement, Bob Monahan, Kitty Forst, Dick Kessler, Friedolin Holden, Sandie |
Cataloged by |
Meyer, Bob |
Collection |
Perham 2 |