Archive Record
Images
Additional Images [6]
Metadata
Catalog number |
1997.2.2595 |
Object Name |
Newsletter |
Date |
1990 |
Description |
TITLE: Quicksilver County Park News SUBTITLE: Newsletter of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association Issue # 23 Spring 1990 Newsletter of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association ISSUE 23 SPRING 1990 Toxic News Flash - More Meetings ...MOre Waste: On Wednesday October 25, 1989, the California Department of Health Services (DHS) called a meeting in New Almaden to discuss the findings of Dames and Moore's report on the Quicksilver Park soil mercury concentrations. Although many members of the community, NAQCPA, County, New Almaden Community Club, and State were in attendance, nothing of significance was discussed. The State explained that it had not been able to review Dames and Moore's report because it was received late, so it could not be specifically discussed. The State said it would call another meeting at a later date after reviewing the report. On March 6, 1990, the DHS, under the direction of Mr. Frank Gaunce, held another public meeting. Although about 7 State officials showed up, Frank did most of the talking or rather mumbling from the perspective of the audience. Mr. Doug Gaynor, director of County Parks and Recreation, did an admirable job of trying to get the State to specify what steps it wants to see taken next, and it's opinion of the perceived hazard. Naturally, the DHS was non-committal. The state discussed the Dames and Moore report and said it shows mercury exceeds the state requirements at many locations in the Park. These are the areas of the most intense mining activity. The State was alarmed that the mercury concentrations were found to be very high, a few maybe even high enough to be ore. Imagine finding mercury ore at a mercury mine - are you shocked? The DHS requirements are very unrealistic for a site such as a park. One fellow from the State agreed, saying the state regulations were adopted to guide whether or not garbage was hazardous and could be put in a dump. I guess we should haul New Almaden to the nearest garbage dump and see if it will be accepted. The report only gives mercury concentrations. It does not discuss the actual risks. The DHS told the County to proceed with the next phase - the risk assessment - even though it may want an additional million dollars of site study, according to a letter from Frank Gaunce to Doug Gaynor. When Mr. Gaynor pressed Frank Gaunce about specifically defining this additional work - or just about anything for that matter Frank would only say it was a matter for him and Doug to discuss behind closed doors and not at the meeting. We are very unhappy with the State's attitude and in particular, with Mr. Gaunce, who seems to be prolonging our agony because of his own ineptitude in understanding the nature of naturally occurring mercury and a mercury mine. We hope our members will send letters of protest to the state. The meeting ended with angry protests from all present. The State, however, can't believe we don't appreciate their efforts to save us from this creeping toxic menace. A menace which geologists say is about 1.6 million years old. Letters may be sent to: Mr. Frank Gaunce Dept. of Health Services Toxic Substance Control Program 2151 Berkeley Way, Annex 9 Berkley, CA 94704 Group Visits to New Almaden During February, we welcomed two groups of students to the museum. One group was a class from Hayward State University and the other was a class from Bay View School, Santa Cruz. The Hayward State class which toured the museum on February 1 was led by Dale Larson, professor in the geography department. The group consisted on 33 students, members of an environmental studies class. They were surprised to learn that mining activity, particularly of such magnitude as occurred in the New Almaden area, had been conducted so close to San Francisco and that relatively few people seemed to be aware of these operations. We discussed the environmental aspects of the process and its effects on the surrounding area. The Bay View School class consisted of fourth grade students who were studying California History. They were at the museum on February 21, and there were 43 visitors with the group. It was difficult for the children to picture conditions which existed in the early days of the mine: no metropolitan area, no nearby streets or freeways, no hardware stores for tools, no motor vehicles or machinery, and dim candlelight underground in the mine. All that is history close to home, and perhaps we are doing our part in relating the past to the present for our young people. Richard Wachs 1990 Trail Days Throughout the State of California on April 21, citizens will be working on connecting trails. In our own area, trails will be constructed from San Francisco to Santa Cruz and across Santa Clara County through Quicksilver Park toward the east foothills. our own project in the Quicksilver will be a connecting trail from the April tunnel to the Santa Isabel workings and out to the Randol Trail. This work will be mostly on old mining roads and will make another beautiful link from Mine Hill Trail to the Randol Trail, a distance of approximately 2 miles. Work will begin at 9:00 AM April 21 and finish at 12:00 noon followed by a picnic lunch at the Santa Isabel. The NAQCPA Association will provide the lunch if you provide your help and a piece of equipment for use that day. Time: 9:00 AM Sat April 21, 1990 till about 2:00 PM. Place: Reduction Works (Tobar parking lot) in Hacienda of New Almaden. Bring: Gloves and one of the following: hoe, shovel, rake, ax, pick, mattox, clippers, trimmers, etc. Please put your name on whatever you bring. Your Association has been actively engaged in Trail Days at the foot of Santa Teresa Park in conjunction with the Trail Center. This project will take the better part of one year as we work on Saturday or Sunday to connect trails from McKean Road to and through Santa Teresa Park to Calero Park and then to Quicksilver Park. If you can help the remaining dates scheduled are: Saturday April 1, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Saturday April 7, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (rain delay) April 14 and there will be a trail day on April 21 also. For those two dates (April 1 and 7) - bring lunch only. Meet at Fortini Road off of Mckean. For further details of all events call Kitty Monahan at 268-6541. Dates to Remember Sunday, April 8. Sierra club hike in park, open to other interested parties. Call 268-1729. Saturday, April 21, Trail Day at Quicksilver Park. Meet at 9 AM at Tobar's (Reduction Works). Bring gloves, long sleeve shirts, hat and useful tools. We will build a trail from the April Tunnel to the Santa Isabel. Lunch and beverage provided. Sunday April 29. Park tour for the Indian Princesses and other interested people. Call 268-1729. Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20. Living History Days at San Jose Historical Museum. Wednesday, June 13. Forum for Open Space at Community Club, New Almaden. Living History Days 1990 Imagine taking a walk back in time. There you are, strolling down the streets of turn-of-the-century San Jose while a parade of old-time characters passes before you: a high-wheeler silently glides by; a couple of boys in knickers run after a hoop; Dr. Sage hawks his cure-all medicine; the postmistress gossips with her neighbor in the old Coyote Post Office; soapy suds fly by as a house wife bends over a wash board; long-gowned ladies carry parasols to keep the sun off their faces; elegantly attired charros ride their prancing horses. This and so much more will be yours to enjoy when San Jose Historical Museum once again presents Living History Days on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20. And NAQCPA will be there, too, with a wagonload of items that miners and their wives might have brought to town. We hope to have women in long-skirts and bonnets and men in miners' clothes manning the display and telling visitors about our association, its accomplishments and what it hopes to accomplish in the future. And right there is where we need your help! We need you to volunteer to work a shift. Hopefully enough people will volunteer so that shifts will be short and there will be more time to enjoy all the many attractions at Living History Days. Please call the Almaden Quicksilver Museum (268-1729), leave your name and phone number, and you will be contacted regarding your shift time. Your help will be greatly appreciated. Remember Living History Days, May 19 and 20 from 10 AM Membership All of you wonderful, very necessary people please check the label on your "Newsletter." You will see a number in parenthesis. It shows you the year you last paid dues. We'd like each of you to be a member of the celebrated Club 90, so please send in your dues NOW. We need YOU because you are very important to us. No V we 0 C;/t" Newsletter Correction Upon reading the last issue of Quicksilver County Park News, I find several corrections necessary; such as: (The fifth paragraph starting with Connie Perham) did not celebrate her 89th birthday. I will be 82 on March 14th, was born March 14, 1908 in Oakland, California. My father, James Edward Healey, was an inventor. In 1907, he invented a softwater compound, which he sold to the mining company. From 1907 -1920, it was used to remove chemicals from the creek supplying soft water for crushing the Cinnabar to be treated, heated and distilled for Mercury. Mr. Sexton, the largest stock owner passed away in 1920. The Mining Company's property from the present Almaden Dam to McKean Road, had to be sold to pay off the mortgage to enable Mr. Sexton's family to own "Mine Hill". My late first husband and I operated the New Almaden Store for two years. We delivered groceries once a week to the Robert Weedons who in 1932 built and lived in the now fallen down house. Robert Weedon mined for Phillip (Jammie) Sahnader.(?) There hadn't been a house there before. On one of the delivery days, Frank and I delivered and visited with the Weedons (Frank was 18 months old). I heard a rattler, put Weedons' dog and Frank in the house, grabbed a loaded gun, shot, then realized the gun was empty, reached for the hatchet, and struck the snake, killing it. Some time later I separated the head and the tail from the body. That's the day Frank took his first steps. He was born August 12, 1938, but I've told the story so many times he knows it. The next two lines are incorrect: My personnel research informed me of the drilling blocks, so again he has remembered the story. I don't Know who wrote the article, but whoever it was became confused with the three of us "old gals" histories, but the truth must be told. Thank you Constance Perham. Quicksilver Display at California Mineral Exhibit The state of California's mineral collection was officially established in 1880 by a bill passed by the State Legislature. The collection was displayed at the Ferry Building in San Francisco from 1899 - 1983. Over the years the collection grew from 1,327 specimens to the present accumulation of almost 20,000 gem, mineral, rock, and fossil specimens. The collection was moved from the Ferry Building to Mariposa in 1983 where it was housed in the old jail until an appropriate building was constructed. After the building was built, the collection again became available for public viewing in May 1989. The facility is a rustic structure reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century stamp mill complete with headframe and an inclined ore haulage track. Minerals from not only California, but from almost every state and several countries are included in the collection. The museum building is divided into three galleries, each focusing on a special theme. The central portion shows the history and development of the collection. The east wing displays mineral and the uses of minerals. The west wing contains cases displaying mining and mineral development. A 200 foot mine tunnel is adjacent to the mineral gallery; in the tunnel various facets of mining activity are depicted. This tunnel exits to the mining wing which contains displays of mines, mining districts and mineral localities in the state of California. It is in the mining wing that the display case containing the exhibit of the quicksilver Mines at New Almaden is located. The exhibit features specimens of cinnabar and includes artifacts from the area as well as a description of New Almaden's contribution to the success of the gold rush. Richard Wachs Stiles Ranch Trail According to board member Sue Huggins, a new trail is in the making in Almaden Valley. Should you be the adventurous type, you'll probably be making tracks over to the end of Fortini Road sometime in the near future to check it out. Ground breaking for the new Stiles Ranch Trail began February 9th when a crew of over 70 volunteers donated 6 hours of time and a lot of energy to help make this trail happen. This 1.3 mile trail is being built on an easement donated by the IBM research center and is intended for use by equestrians, hikers, and cyclists. When completed the Stiles Ranch Trail will provide the long awaited link between Almaden Valley and Santa Teresa Park. The trail begins at the end of Fortini Road and heads easterly incurring numerous switchbacks as it ascends the Santa Teresa foothills. After passing through heavy brush, and over a couple of ridges, the trail descends into Santa Teresa Park. This project is the first in a series of proposed trails that, upon completion, will connect three county parks: quicksilver, Calero, and Santa Teresa. The new trails will also connect to the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Trail Centers and the Santa Clara County Parks department are the two organizations responsible for orgainzing this trail building project. Volunteers from the following local organizations were recruited: IBM, the Almaden Valley Community Association, the Quicksilver Endurance Riders and Equestrian Group, the Santa Clara County Horseman's Association, and the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association. Volunteers are still needed to help out on the remaining scheduled trail building days, so if you can help, remember these dates: Sunday April 1st and Saturday April 7th (raindate April 14th.) Meet at the end of Fortini Road at 9:00 AM. Bring your own water and lunch, wear long sleeved shirts and boots. Tools, gloves and refreshments are provided by the Trail Center. For further information please contact: Trail Center: Madeleine Von Laue (415)968-7065 Santa Clara County Parks: Mark Frederick (408)358-3741 |
People |
Gaynor, Doug Perham, Constance (Mrs. Kambish) Wachs, Richard Huggins, Sue |
Cataloged by |
Meyer, Bob |