Archive Record
Images
Additional Images [2]
Metadata
Catalog number |
1997.2.2580 |
Object Name |
Newsletter |
Date |
1985 |
Description |
TITLE: Quicksilver County Park News SUBTITLE: Newsletter of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association Issue # 7 June 1985 WINTER AT QUICKSILVER PARK Winter is a quiet and special time at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Winter rains clear the air and panoramas of the bay take one's breath away. The once somber hills turn a youthful green and silver seas of fog surround Los Capitancillos Ridge. Winter is a time for reflection but for the quicksilver County Park Association it is also a busy time. Many projects are underway. Planning for the coming year now takes center stage. During the past year, the Association has made great strides in promoting the protection and enhancement of the historical, recreational, and natural resources of the park. Through our efforts, and with the cooperation of the Department of Parks and Recreation, plans are underway to reconstruct the old mine office at the Hacienda. The structure will serve as a Park Headquarters and as an interpretive center. The Association also has applied for State Grant movies to help restore the Rotary Furnace on Mine Hill. The second annual Pioneer's Day (October 13,1984) was a great success. A debt of gratitude is owed to the staff and management of the Casa Grande and the many dedicated folks from the Association and the community oœ New Almaden who helped plan and implement this memorable event. Many of these same people can also take credit for our Association's successful participation in the 5th annual New Almaden Days. The fruitful festivities in town were matched by successes along the trails of the park. Dutch Mapes donated some beautiful masonry picnic table tops, supervising ranger Ben Assenza supplied his expertise on the tractor and preparations are well underway for a picnic area at the Day Tunnel Site. Eagle Scout Steve Kelly refurbished an old but popular picnic area oft the Randol Trail. The New Almaden Community Club has continued to provide generous assistance in the maintainance of a caretaker's residence on the hill. They donated countless hours of labor, dollars, and materials to establish the residence. Ranger Ben Assenza spent innumerable hours bringing water and other amenities to the site. The caretaker program has proven to be a great asset in protecting the Mine Hill area. The folks who helped provide it have never beer: properly thanked- So Thanks Guys!; you're really special Planned projects for the New Year are as diverse and numerous as ones in the past. These projects are often fun, occasionally difficult but always rewarding. These projects also require input and we ask that all members try to be active members. Together we can make Quicksilver the "Jewel" of Santa Clara County Parks. If you want to know more about what you can do, just contact one of the Board Members. No other county park possesses the unique combination of recreational, historical, educational and natural resources found at Quicksilver. Because of your help we are well on our way. Let's strive to make 1985 an even better year. Kitty Monahan ASSOCIATION MEETING SCHEDULE The general meetings of the Association are usually held on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Each meeting features programs related to the various facets of Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Meetings are usually held at Club Almaden, 21350 Almaden Road, New Almaden. Due to busy winter schedules there will be no January meeting. Scheduled meetings for other months are listed below: -Date Program Feb.27 Developments in The Quicksilver Park 1) Mine Closures Project: Michael Cox 2) Reconstruction of the Mine Office as a Ranger Office and Interpretive Center: Larry Norris, Director of County Parks, 3) Mercury mining Museum Collection: Roberta Jamison. 4) Renovation of the Rotary Furnace Building: Kitty Monahan March 27 Development of the New Almaden Reduction Works A public forum on the proposed development of the Reduction Works Site in New Almaden. Interested persons are urged to attend and make suggestions as to types of facilities they would like to see for this primary entrance to the park. April 24 Quicksilver A repeat showing of the fascinating documentary film showing New Almaden and the mine operation in the early 1960's. Milton Lanyon will be our guest and talk about the writing of "Cinnabar Hills" and autograph your book. SPECIAL EVENTS May 18 Living History day at the San Jose Historical Museum A re-creation of San Jose on a day in May-, 1885. Costumes, horse and buggy rigs, quilters, wood carvers, honky took piano players, etc, will represent the area as it was 100 years ago. If you wish to participate telephone (408) 287- 2290. PARK TOURS TO START IN APRIL The Association is tentatively scheduling park tours to begin in April. In past years these tours have been very popular. The tours generally run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on selected weekends and include visits to the Hacienda, Englishtown, and Mexican Camp (normally off limits), and some major mining sites. This year the tour will also include a viewing of the recently restored San Cristobal Tunnel site. Tour guides are usually Association members, former miners, C.C.C. Camp members, and Naturalists. A tour guide manual is included. Several weeks prior to the start-up of the tours fliers will be mailed out----so keep your eyes open: GRANT PROPOSAL FOR THE ROTARY FURNACE ON MINE HILL In June of 1984, the voters of California, approved grant monies for Parks and Recreational purposes under Prop 18. One segment of this Proposition was titled "Non-Profit Grant". We took advantage of this section and wrote a grant proposal for the Rotary Furnace Building on Mine Hill. Sally O'Toole, who is on our advisory board, did the work of collecting all the information needed to complete the forms and see that everything was ready for deadline. We will know in Feb. if we received the grant. With this grant we can secure a portion of the area and thereby have it opened to the public. PROGRESS ON THE PROPOSED PARK OFFICE AND INTERPRETIVE CENTER The Santa Clara County Parks Department sent out 80 requests to architects for proposals for the rebuilding of the former mine office which was located in the furnace yard at New Almaden. On November 7th 25 firms attended a pre-proposal meeting at the site to receive further information on the project. Senior Civil Engineer Charles M. Rockwell from the Parks Department and Michael Cox and Roberta Jameson from our association met the architects to give them some further insight into the development. Interested firms sent proposals to the Parks Department by the November 30th deadline. A committee assigned by the Parks Department is interviewing the architects and reviewing their reports. This committee will make a decision as to which firm is best qualified to be awarded the contract. Our association is actively involved with the project and has given input toward the selection of an architect. Once the firm is selected and the association agrees that they are qualified, a public meeting will be held to discuss the project. The meeting should be in March. The Mine office will be reconstructed to serve as an interpretive center for the quicksilver Park as well as a park office. Currently the Parks Department, the Historical Heritage Commission and museum owner Connie Perham are conferring on the purchase of the New Almaden Museum collection. If purchased, the collection will be housed in the Mine Office. NEW ALMADEN MERCURY MINING MUSEUM CLOSES Constance Perham, owner and curator of the New Almaden Museum, retired in December of 1984 and officially closed the New Almaden Mercury Mining Museum. No one has done more than Constance and her museum to bring noteriety and recognition to one of California's greatest mines. During 42 years of dedicated service Constance has educated countless thousands of people through her museum and excellent displays. These displays have not only illustrated the history of New Almaden but have explained world mercury resources and mercury mining and processing techniques to old and young alike. The closure of the museum represents the closure of one of the Bay Area's greatest historical resources. Hopefully it is not a permanent loss. The County of Santa Clara has indicated its desire to purchase the museum collection and house it in the planned park office and interpretive center. In this way the museum can begin a new era of service and continue to educate, fascinate and entertain people from around the world. CHANGE IN STAFFING FOR QUICKSILVER PARK A recent tragedy in the ranks of the County Parks Department has brought some changes to the Quicksilver Park. Ranger Joaquin (Marty) Martines of Grant Park was stricken with a heart attack from which he did not recover. His many years of service at Grant Ranch and Mt. Madonna endeared him to both his peers and the public. His absence will be felt. Ranger Ed Tenaka was transferred from Calero and Almaden to Grant Ranch, a park at which he had previously served. Ranger Denis Besson was then transferred from Mt.Madonna to Almaden. He has had a great deal of experience at Anderson Lake, Uvas Canyon, Mt. Madonna and other parks. Much of his day is spent at the Quicksilver Park and he is an enthusiastic addition to the staff here. SECOND ANNUAL PIONEER'S DAY A GREAT SUCCESS The weather for the 2nd annual Pioneer's Day (October 13) was superb. Seventy-five pioneers gathered to tell their stories and visit the home of their past. Our Association has now compiled a list of over 100 pioneers and we have recorded their reminisences for an oral history. A trip to Mine Hill was especially meaningful for many of the pioneers as some had not been there for thirty years or more. We were especially delighted with the presence of Milton Lanyon, co-author of Cinnabar Hills The Quicksilver Days of New Almaden. Milton autographed our own copies and told stories of his days in New Almaden. The owner, manager and personnel at the Casa Grande were exceptionally good to us. They provided everything we needed to make the day a success They are earning themselves a bright spot in New Almaden's modern-day history. Dutch and Nancy Mapes were our able chefs. With the assistance of Ed Lewis they produced a memorable meal. Special thanks also to Remie Pantiga who served refreshments and wore out a pair of shoes running back and forth delivering the goods. TRAILS AND PICNIC AREAS A new trail link between the Mine Hill and Randol Trails has been completed. It is called the Providencia Trail. Thanks to Park's staff, especially Ben Assenza, we can now take a short cut through some of the beautiful flora of the park. An old picnic area on the Randol trail has been cleared and refurbished. The project was completed by Scout Steve Kelly who received his Eagle badge for the work. THE NEW ALMADEN MINE CLOSURE PROJECT Santa Clara County Department of Parks and Recreation has an ongoing construction project to abate mine hazards in the Quicksilver Park. In March, construction activities are tentatively scheduled to move into areas of the park not normally restricted. Inconveniences to park users will be quite minimal but everyone is asked to obey the posted restric-tions and not enter construction areas. During regular weekly working hours some vehicle traffic on trails should be anticipated and watched for. In all cases, old mine workings are off limits and should not be entered. These mine workings are hazardous and can harbor many hidden dangers for untrained persons. SPEAKERS BUREAU CHAIRPERSON NEEDED For the general meetings of our Association we try to schedule programs and speakers of interest that are related to Quicksilver Park. Coordinating these events requires planning and arrangements well in advance of the meetings. If you are willing to spend some time to help bring education and entertainment to your fellow members this could be the job for you: Contact Peggy Melbourne at (408)268-8331 if you are interested. ASSOCIATION NEEDS FUNDRAISING PLAN AND CHAIRPERSON Our Association is growing by leaps and bounds. The need for an active plan of fundraising is becoming more acute. We are looking for someone to help us develop and maintain a fundraising program. Fundraising today is no longer a "tin cup" enterprise. It requires knowing the needs of your organization and developing a program tailored to those needs. Methods can include direct mail, personal contacts, membership drives, corporate gifts and more. This association has made some pione-ering efforts but we need your help. On Wednesday January 30 a seminar for developing a fundraising plan for non-profits will be held at Foot-hill Community College. The Assosciation would like to pay the cost of this and other seminars to begin the training of our new Fundraising Chairperson. So whoever you are stand up and be recognized: DUES RENEWAL The goal of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association is to have Quicksilver County Park restored, maintained and patroled. During the past 24 months the association has reached some important landmarks and accomplished several objectives. Your membership dues and contributions have made this possible. Our members are historians, mining engineers, environmentalists, runners, hikers, horsemen, teachers, artists, and photographers. Their dues provide funds for printing, postage and miscellaneous expenses that occur throughout the year. They enable the association to develop interest in the park and encourage the County Parks department to direct their energies toward our common interest--New Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Community interest has been generated through this newsletter, tours of the park and public appearances by members of the association. Work has begun in the park to remove hazards that exist. The county parks department has been made aware of the demand of runners, horsemen, hikers and other interested parties to develop and maintain trails internal and external to the park boundaries. They have responded with technical assistance, equipment and personnel to repair damage to the trails. New trails have been established. While it may be true that much work needs to be done and that it is not being done as fast as we would like, the fact remains that the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association has inspired much if not all of the progress so far. The association has accomplished this through its dedication to the park and its members' generosity and support. The association has acquired non profit status. Uncounted hours were spent studying and preparing the necessary forms required by the state and federal government to fulfill their requirements. The association can now more effectively solicit contributions from the community at large. Your membership dues are renewable each calendar year with the exception that if you joined in October or later you are paid up for the following year. This means that if you haven't already done so your membership fee is now due. Help us toward our goal. We'll keep you informed in the newsletter. Send in your dues today. Help us help you to keep your park. Send $5 for a single membership, $10 for a family membership to: New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association (NAQCPA) PO Box 124 New Almaden, Ca 95042 Please use the enclosed application/renewal form. (Any additional amounts that you send will be appreciated) PARK RANGER OFFICE The Park Ranger office for Almaden Quicksilver County Park is located at Calero Reservoir County Park. The phone number is (408) 268-3883. NEW ALMADEN QUICKSILVER COUNTY PARK ASSOCIATION - PO. Box 124, New Almaden, CA 95042 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION / MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM Date: New membership: Membership renewal: Name: Street Address City:_ State: ZIP: Phone: (Area code: _) Membership dues enclosed: Individual membership ($5/year) $ Family membership ($10/year) Additional contribution Total amount enclosed $ Checks may be made payable to "Quicksilver Park Assn.". I am particularly interested in the following aspects of the Park: _ Hiking _ Running _ Horseback riding _ History and historical resources _ Nature observation Geology and mines Other (please specify): I would like to assist with: Trail development and maintenance Interpretive programs related to: _ Historical resources _ Natural resources, particularly: Construction of park facilities/stabilization or reconstruction of historical buildings _ Publicity _ Fund raising _ Newsletter and/or other publications _ A volunteer park patrol program _ Photography/slide show presentations Other (specify): |
People |
Monahan, Kitty Cox, Michael Melbourne, Peggy Assenza, Ben Lanyon, Milton Fox, Frances L. Jamison, Roberta Williams, James Bamburg, Bonnie Bamburg, Marvin Clement, Bob Besson, Dennis Rich, Chuck Kessler, Friedolin |
Cataloged by |
Meyer, Bob |