Echoes
at Dawn Mine
By Jake Brouwer
One Sunday afternoon while skimming through newspaper clippings about
the Mt. Lowe area, I came across an interview a reporter had with a conductor of the
scenic railroad. The conductor, from memory, proceeded to recite his spiel and so the
reporter wrote it down.
A part that particularly caught my attention went like this; "We
have now passed around the Cape of Good Hope and are entering Millard Canyon. Just ahead
is the longest stretch of straight track on this section of the trip. It is 225 feet long.
Millard Canyon below you now is a beautifully wooded canyon with a small stream at the
bottom. Below us in the canyon at this point is the Dawn Mine, an early-day gold mining
venture. Several of the tunnels still remain but are boarded up and used as part of
Pasadenas water supply system."
Well, now that opened my eyes. A gold mine in Millard
Canyon, imagine that. Once upon a time I prospected around Randsburg, the Cajon Summit and
the East Fork
of the San Gabriel River, moving on only to research more about our Mt. Lowe Railroad. Now
the railroad seemed to be bringing me back to my golden beginnings.
The Dawn Mine District is located in the southern part of the San
Gabriel Mountains, which separate the Southern California basin on the south from the
Mojave Desert on
the north. Its boundaries are Eaton Canyon on the East, Bear Canyon on the North, Arroyo
Seco on the West, and to the south of Altadena. The entire district covered roughly
sixteen square miles and is some of the most rugged terrain in the region. The area
reached its current elevations by several stages of uplifts since the late Pliocene
time. In the southern extremities of the San Gabriels the elevations range from one
thousand to two thousand feet, while in the northern end the height of 6152 feet is
reached at San Gabriel Peak.
The Dawn Mine District was compromised of
four mines, Saucer Canyon Mine, Dawn mine, Eagle Lutch Mine and Upper Dawn Mine. The first
three of these mines were all located on the same vein, the main ore body being about two
miles long. Saucer Canyon Mine being the first along the vein in the small tributary of
Millard Canyon. Here the surface shows the appearance of a hematite in quartz vein, dark
brown to red in color 100 feet in width. The brave miner that operated this claim had his
cabin suspended in the air by steel cables which held it against the face of a sheer rock
wall. The auriferous vein of the Eagle Lutch Mine is at the upper end of the first ravine
to the west of Las Flores Canyon. It is believed to be a branch of the main vein that
heads in a southwesterly direction from just above the Dawn Mine. The Upper Dawn Mine is
located on the south side of the trail from Dawn Mine to Switzer-land, about one and
one-half miles north of the Dawn Mine.
The main mine of the district was the Dawn Mine. Dawn is deep in the
folds of Millard canyon whose walls rise 1000 to 1500 feet. Access was gained to the area
by way of Millard Canyon Trail or from above by means of the Scenic Mt. Lowe Railroad.
From Millard Canyon it is a pleasant two and one half-mile trip.
This prospect is said to have been found by a Spaniard, though I would
venture to guess it was known earlier by the Gabrielino Indians of the area. The first
owner of record was Bradford Peck. Peck had come from the Randsburg Mines where he was
partners with a man named Ehrenfeld, whose daughter Peck was quite fond of. Her name was
Dawn and hence the Dawn Mine was named. Peck operated the mine for a number of years with
limited success. Although a minor gold rush of sorts was occurring in the area the
booming explosions of men blasting their way through granite while creating the Mt. Lowe
railway bed overshadowed the mining ventures.
On July 10 1902 an experienced miner from Australia, Michael T. Ryan
purchased the Dawn Mine. Ryan extended the tunnels further into the mountain and actually
ran a profitable venture for a time. Ryan built a narrow trail that switched back numerous
times up the steep walls of Millard Canyon to where it met the Alpine division of the
narrow gauge railroad. Ryans two faithful and sure-footed burros were appropriately
named Jack and Jill. Once having traversed the precipitous trail the mules had their load
of ore transferred to a railroad car where it was eventually brought down to Echo Mt. and
then lowered again by way of the great incline to Rubio Canyon and finally brought to
market. Assays at the time put the sulfide ore of the major vein at $25.-27.00 a ton while
the limonite ore from a lessor ore ran $13-17.00 per ton.
The Pacific Electric Railroad, owners of the Scenic Mt. Lowe
Railroad, built a station stop at the top of the trail and called it Dawn Station. For a
time the trolley would stop at Dawn Station and the adventurous tourists riding the rails
would tramp down to the lower reaches of the canyon to visit the workings of the gold
mine. This became a problem for the railway as the arduous trek back up caused numerous
delays. Im told that someone had a phony gold mine built just a ways down the trail
to avoid future delays.
By 1927, according to the Report of the State Mineralogist the Dawn mine
was idle. Perhaps Ryan was ill, as it was two quick years later that Michael T. Ryan died.
Ryans widow let several miners work the claims until 1933.
At that time Ryans wife leased the mine to a group
headed by L. L. Hunter, H. L. Comstock, and L. L. Hilton. The group invested large sums of
money boring new tunnels
into the mountainside bring the total workings to a distance of 1200 feet. In 1935 after
an extremely wet season washed out some of the Mt. Lowe Railroads track, the Hunter group
built a small mill site one-half mile downstream from the mine. At the mill there was a
grizzly with one inch openings; elevator to small bin, two vibrating screens, 20 and 30
mesh; oversized to combined crusher and rolls, followed by one sand and one slime table.
It took four men to work the mill site.
The Hunter group developed and sunk a wince 55 feet on the vein 3-4 feet
wide. The ore values in this wince are said to be $20-30.00 per ton. A raise was also put
in to connect with an upper tunnel where the vein is said to reach five feet in width and
contain better values. One year the team hit a kidney pocket, which yielded $3400.00.
Although values were better and occasional good pockets brought prolonged dreams of
riches, the teams small profits went to larger losses. Building the mill and other
expenses simply ate up all hope of making a profit.
By the time the Mt. Lowe Railroad made its
last run in December of 1937 new trails were built for hauling the ore out and at one time
a couple of Model T Fords were even
used. Just below the mine entrance lying in the streambed half buried in the gravels
lies an engine probably used for this purpose.
The demands of World War II cut off much of the powder and other
essentials needed for mining and operations were brought to an end.
A wooden door was placed across the opening of the mine tunnel but it
has failed to keep out impetuous explorers of the dark and damp hazard. In 1954 the
sheriff at the time, Pete Sutton, made an inspection of the mine and recommended that the
openings either be dynamited closed or the openings be closed in by steel doors set in
concrete. The owner at the time a C. H. Finlayson of Hawaii
was contacted in regards to the matter but we can assume to no end as the mine lies
unprotected to this day.
This writer strongly suggests that you stay out of this mine. It
is dangerous and not for the faint of heart. The exploration of mines should be set aside
for the professional and not taken lightly. Hiking to the Dawn Mine is another matter. It
is a beautiful trek to a historic site that can easily be done in half a day. Read further
on in this issue to HIKING MT. LOWE TRAILS. Also check out the segment about MINE DANGERS.
Adventure
Pass
Starting June 16th visitors using the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and
San Bernardino Nation Forests will be required to purchase a National Forest Adventure
Pass. The fee is $5.00 for a daily pass and $30.00 for an annual pass.
The pass is for visitors that park on forest lands for the purpose of
recreational use. You are not required to have the pass if you are just traveling through
the National Forest. The pass needs to be clearly displayed in the front window of your
vehicle. There is a handy cut-out in the pass so it can be easily hung from your rear view
mirror.
Although we already pay taxes to support the National Forest system
apparently there is not enough to pay for the maintaining and repairs of recreational
facilities, or resource and habitat protection. The Forest Service says, the money will be
used for "more and cleaner restrooms, better trails, higher- quality natural
environment and more frequent trash removal."
The fine for not displaying your National Forest Adventure
Pass may result in a fine of $100.00.in accordance with 36 CFR 261.15.
The day my group went up to Dawn Mine we had our pass but others at the
Chaney Trail gate were not so fortunate and were ticketed. If you are not sure what to do,
call the Forest Service for information. Angeles Forest call 818-574-5200.
Dont have your day ruined because you failed to have a pass.
The
Trail to Dawn Mine
By Jake Brouwer
The hike to Dawn Mine is a great half day adventure taking
you two and one-half miles into the depths of Millard
Canyon.
From Lake St. or Fair Oaks go north to Loma Alta Drive in Altadena. Turn
left to Chaney Trail Drive and then turn right up into the foothills. Park in a designated
spot just outside the Sunset Ridge fire road. Be sure you have your Adventure Pass
prominently displayed in your vehicle.
Hike up the fire road to a
marker denoting the Sunset Ridge Trail which youll take, dropping you down into the
canyon. This first part of the trip is quite easy and gives you some nice views of the
canyon. You will pass above Millard Falls often hearing the echoes of children yelling and
dogs
barking as they frolic in the pool beneath the falls. Off to your left youll see
Saucer Canyon. In the spring the area is easily spotted by a thin silvery stream of a
waterfall in the distance.
Soon youll reach a junction in the trail and you will want to bear
left and down to the stream. Along the way youll pass by the long time cabin of Mr.
Ed Nohr.
Once you reach the streambed you can put your trail finding skills to
work. The old trail crisscrosses the stream in numerous places often causing you to wonder
if youre on the right track. Just keep following the stream as it climbs higher into
the canyon. The flora and fauna along the way add nicely to the mental challenges of
selecting just the right boulders to hop upon as you work your way further up.
If there is any
doubt that you are on on the right track your suspicions are quickly relieved by the site
of mining equipment showing up here and there, rusted and banged up beyond any repair.
Soon youll pass an area with cabin size boulders and then
its just a short distance before you come to the scene of the old mill site. This is
a fun area to explore. You can see all sorts of foundations and metal artifacts and little
side trails leading to who knows where. It is only a half mile more to the mine.
Up on your left
youll be greeted by a large piece of machinery that is mounted to the rock wall just
outside the entrance to the Dawn Mine.
This is a great spot to just stop and have a light snack. It is shady
here as is most of Millard Canyon and the bugs seem to be minimal. There are lots of
things to explore other than the mine and as Ill say many times in this issue,
"I recommend you stay out of the mine."
The mine floor is covered with water making it difficult to know what
you are crossing. The floor is also covered with rotten, water logged beams. Just a short
distance inside is a deep water filled shaft. As you shine you light inside the tunnel and
see two eyes peering back, perhaps it is time to head back.
Above the entrance of the Dawn Mine forty feet or so is another tunnel
accessible only by scaling the sheer rock face on a toe-hold trail first to the right and
then back to the left. At the end of the trail is about a five foot reach to the entrance
of the tunnel overlooking the drop straight down to the front of the mine and inside not
five feet away is a shaft fifty feet down. talk about being in-between a rock and a hard
place. Best to stay away.
Just across the streambed are trails leading up to what was the home of
Mr. Ryan. Actually there are trails everywhere and half the fun of coming up here is
exploring where they go.
One of course is the trail that Ryans mules, Jack and Jill, used to haul
ore up to the Mt. Lowe Railroad, on the way to market. You could hike up to the top of
this trail and then down the fire road which is the old rail bed for the railroad, and end
up back where you started otherwise just head back down the canyon the way you came.
Mine
Safety
By Jake Brouwer
1. The first rule of mine safety is, DO NOT ENTER. No
kidding, I know you probably just hiked
miles to get there, but is it worth your life or limb just to see a cold, damp,
rock-walled tunnel? If you absolutely must go in then do so in pairs and leave someone at
the entrance to go for help. Go with a professional if you can.
2. Mines can be the home to many creatures that you may not want to meet
under any circumstances, let alone in the darkness with one route of escape. To name just
a few, Black
widow spiders, scorpions,
raccoons, bears, and the not so friendly rattlesnake.
Snakes are a particular hazard in shallow shafts and shafts with near-surface work levels.
3. A mineshaft can be very deceptive.
Because there is little or no light in the hole most people do not hesitate to peer over
the edge and look in. Normally with a feeling of height the reaction is to
"pullback" but with shafts and the lack of light, the height is not so evident.
The fall into a shaft however can be just as lethal as falling off a sheer cliff.
4. The timber in old mines is usually decayed. Often it has the appearance of a perfectly
good piece of wood when actually it could be crushed with just the squeeze of the hand.
Timber is often loose and will fall at the slightest touch. Quite often a well timbered
mine will give you a false sense of security as these timbers also are probably rotten.
Ladders often have rungs missing and any weight at all can cause them to fall apart.
5. Winces are sunk in the floor of the tunnel and are usually boarded
over. If these boards are decayed it is a perfect trap waiting for an unwary victim.
6. Many mines have standing water in them or small steams flowing out of
them. It is impossible to see the bottom making it a great danger that you could fall into
a wince or other deep hole. Water often lies at the bottom of shafts making you a possible
drowning victim.
7. Many abandoned mine shafts and tunnels contain explosives left behind
by careless workers. Explosives should never be handled by anyone not thoroughly familiar
with them. Even old time miners wont handle them, as they are extremely volatile.
8. Cave-ins can happen any time. Small disturbances or vibrations caused
by walking or speaking can cause a cave-in
. Rock is often decomposed and the timbers rotten leaving the shaft or tunnel primed for
just the right conditions to cave-in.
9. Carbon
monoxide and carbon dioxide often collect in low area of the mine and along the floor
in horizontal workings. Motion in the air caused by walking in can often stir up these
gases and cause them to mix with the good air making it a lethal combination.
As I said in #1, it is always best to stay out of mines as well as
caves and water tunnels. If by chance you find your self in a predicament in the Altadena
area try to reach 911 or Altadena
Mountain Rescue.
Web
Site
Triple A Internet Masters (www.aaaim.com) and
Land-Sea Discovery Group (jakelsdg@earthlink.net)
are proud to announce the latest update to the Echo Mtn.
Echoes website, the internet magazine of Southern California history, Thaddeus Lowe,
and his scenic mountain railroad. The web address is http://www.aaaim.com/echo.
This new release features more and larger pictures, new fonts and
colors, and a new design layout.
In addition to some swell midi ragtime music the site also now includes
a search service, subscribe service, website links and more.
Personally my favorites are the color pictures, and the some really
interesting links to key words in each article taking the reader on to new discoveries
across the world wide web.
I hope you enjoy our site.JB
A Journey Into Millard Canyon
Flora, Fauna, and
Survival Skills
By Christopher
Nyerges
My first introduction to Millard
Canyon was the magnificent waterfall. You drive up Chaney Trail, and then down the
road to the campsite. A relatively short hike under the oaks and bays gets you to the base of the waterfall, a favorite spot for
families and picnickers in summer. I like it, but I always avoid it in summer and on
weekends because whenever a spot gets too popular, the trash and diapers increase, and
there tend to be radios playing the current junk music.
I prefer behind the waterfall, up towards the Dawn Mine. To get there,
you park your car at the T-intersection at the top of Chaney Trail, and walk up the road
for a quarter-mile or so until you come to the dirt trail off to your left. This is a
pleasant trail, planted with rosemary
at the entrance, and lined with such native plants as wild cherry, elderberries, oak
trees, yerba santa, and yucca. Yellow mustard flowers are common, and I enjoy picking the
flowers and nibbling the broccoli-flavor flowers as I walk. The yerba santa was used back
in the old days as medicine, and you can pinch off a bit of the leaf and chew on it as you
walk. The flavor may seem strange at first but you get used to it.
At least three soap plants can be found along this trail leading down to
the stream. Yucca, of course, is somewhat common. When you read the tales of the native
peoples of the Southwest, you always hear about using yucca roots for soap. But, to just
wash your hands, please dont ever dig up an entire yucca plant. Its not even
practical. But you can snip off one lower leaf, shred it into fibers, wet it and agitate
between the hands, and youve got a wonderful, thick soap. Soap root or amole is also
found on the hillsides here and there, but youd probably need to have someone point
it out. It is a large underground bulb with wavy leaves that you see in the spring. During
most of the year, there is little to tell you that the bulbs are down there. This is
possibly one of the best wild soap sources I have ever tried. The crushed bulb is mixed
with water and agitated between the hands. You get a thick rich soap good for shampoo,
washing your filthy clothes, or cleaning the dog. (Hear that, Cassius? Time for a bath!
Woof, woof!)
And there is also the mountain lilac bush, conspicuous in the spring by
its white or purple flowers.
You can collect either the flowers or the sticky fruits, add some water, rub them between
your hands, and get a mildly aromatic natural soap.
As you continue down this dirt trail,
youll see lots of bay trees. Their leaves are richly aromatic and can be used to
make a good tea or to flavor your spaghetti sauce. Even the nuts which fall from the trees
in the fall can be collected and eaten (once roasted or boiled -- they are bitter raw).
Eventually, youll pass Mr. Nohrs cabin. The story I have
heard over the years is that he hauled all the building supplies in to the site on a
wheelbarrow. Nohr was somewhere in the canyon during the massive floods
of 1938, and reported that there were boulders as big as houses coming down the canyon and
that the noise was "beyond description." Wow! I was born too late for all that
excitement -- but, as they say, history repeats itself.
Hiking upstream in Millard is a pleasant experience. The river bottom is
mostly lined with tall alders, interspersed with oaks, sycamores, and bay. The trail
meanders back and forth across the stream, and gets steeper a half-mile or so below the
Dawn Mine.
As for the mine, its dangerous, and I suggest you stay out!
Man-made mines are notorious for cave-ins, for lacking oxygen, and for trapping people who
explore unprepared. A friend from Glendale, Charles Feibush, reported to me his discovery
of the Dawn Mine. He and his buddy were all excited, and they climbed up and explored
inside with their tiny penlight. After a while -- Charles thinks he was somewhere near the
vertical shaft inside the mine -- he looked up and shined his light and saw two eyes at
about his eye level staring back. Charles said, "Christopher, you wouldnt
believe how quickly we got out of that cave!" After thinking about it, he realized he
was probably staring at a mountain lion, and he was darn lucky it didnt attack,
since a mountain lion is known to attack things that run from it. Anyway, Charles got home
safe but shaken.
So, what should you always carry with you in the event you get lost or
hurt?
Carry at least a good knife, a magnesium fire
starter, and some twine. Those are the basics and can be used for countless tasks. A
water container and first aid kit are also good things to carry. And though I typically
drink right out of Millard Canyon, its not a bad idea to have some means to purify
water. Why? Well, even if the water tests free
of various bacteria and other critters, I can recall the time I encountered a dead deer
right in the stream. It was pretty well decomposed by the time I saw it, and I dont
think I would have felt too well that evening had I drunk downstream of the deer. (Gasp!).
Boiling water is the easiest way to purify it, but if you dont want to take the time
or if a fire is unsafe, you should either carry an iodine crystal kit, or carry any of the
water purification pumps that you can buy at Sport Chalet stores.
And while youre at Sport Chalet, consider getting a copy of John
Robinsons "Trails of the Angeles," the best book on the trails in our
local mountains.
Nyerges is the author of Guide to Wild Foods, available
locally at O Happy Days in Altadena, Vromans bookstore in Pasadena, and at all Sport
Chalet stores. He has been leading outdoor classes since 1974, and the schedule is
available from School of Self-Reliance, Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 90041, or on-line at http://home.earthlink.net/~nyerges/.
Collectors Corner
So you thought you had to keep your eyes wide open before while hunting
for those elusive Mt. Lowe collectibles.
In just the past few months this collector has been made aware of
another area to watch for. Pins and buttons! Though a bit hard on the eyes sometimes all
it takes is asking, "Do you have any Mt. Lowe pins or buttons?
While on vacation in central California I managed to find this gem
buried in a glass in Chowchilla for the nifty price of $3.50. Ive since been offered
$25.00 but it will not leave the home Ive made for it. In the center is a squirrel
and around the outside it says, "Ye Alpine Tavern, Mt. Lowe, California.
The next button
shown belongs to Michael Patris. Its a pretty rare find of a button showing the
triangle Mt. Lowe Railroad design. The button is silver in color and is currently on
display at the Glendora Library in case number four.
Pacific
Electric buttons are out there for the hardy Mt. Lowe collector to add to his growing
side collection of PE stuff. Michael found this large one and a number of small ones to
add to his growing collection.
Depths OF Dawn
By Jake Brouwer
Our hand held lights flickered against the
cool walls of the tunnel as we traversed the first fifteen feet of Dawn Mine
in a crouched position. With the low stony roof and watery floor one is constantly forced
to be aware of their position. We proceeded with a slow and shambling pace into the damp
darkness towards what appeared to be an island. Two ancient square beams grew from the
mound of soil that made the island and though these beams stopped around waist level, I
imagine they at one time provided some means of support in the tunneling process.
The tunnel roof opened up above us, a shaft climbing to the height of
over fifty feet, and going, who knew where. It was a wormhole
of sorts to another world in these underground possessions. On the right of our position
another tunnel veered off in a northerly direction. In the entry to this branch the floor
again appeared to be water logged and though not plainly perceptible at first, it had the
look of peril in the greatest degree. With lamp in hand I maneuvered two steps closer
towards this watery entrance. My lamp finally reached its mark, fully engulfing the water
filled manhole that lay before me. The site of this watery grave jerked my feet to such an
abrupt halt, that I almost went head over heels into this great abyss.
My fearless friends foreseeing
my potential predicament grabbed onto my jacket and jerked me back a step. A gesture I was
most beholden for as we peered on bent knees into the drenched depths of what was later
found to be fifty-five feet deep. My friends and I backed up onto the safety of the island
and then pressed onward into another tunnel that led off to the west. This tunnel
proceeded in for a distance of one hundred fifty feet or so, with numerous side passages
of lesser extent to explore.
Deep in the folds of this subterranean domain when the wet walls bluntly
came to an end, my friends and I pondered the fate of those with no lamp to light there
way and so extinguished all sources of our luminance. In the black nothingness around us
the only sounds we were to hear were the echoes of water droplets hitting the occasional
puddle on the tunnel floor and the sporadic clearing of ones throat when one feels the
insecurities of this black netherworld.
Lamps again lit we headed back to the island and one last look into the
murky depths of the water filled shaft. Looking out towards the tunnel entrance, a glad
and yellow sunshine was striving to gain admittance and so we raced across the waterlogged
planks that lined the floor to give it a full and proper greeting. Once fully in its
presence, we stretched and strutted in its warmth, til we had our fill and then sat
in the shade of the giant oaks to snack and reflect upon our visit to the depths of Dawn
Mine.
News
of our readers
Dear friend Michael Patris was
interviewed for the May 1997 issue of Collector, a publication for the
Southern California Collectors Association. The subject of the interview was
Michaels Mt Lowe collection, which you can take it from me, is mighty impressive.
The article delves into Mt. Lowe history and prices for various Mt. Lowe memorabilia.
Congratulations Michael! And, as if that were not enough, Michael also was asked to speak
on Mt. Lowe collectibles at the Collectors Conference held the end of May
1997.
At the June R & N Postcard Show in Pasadena, I ran
into Mike Post, Paul Rippens, Troy Sette, and writer John
Robinson, all on the hunt for their subject of the day, most being of course, Mt.
Lowe. Troy was having a rough time finding cards depicting Rubio Canyons waterfalls, which
he is not only researching, but climbing also! John Robinson is searching for an early
card showing the powerhouse on Echo pre 1905. I was lucky enough to find a nifty little
brochure that gave schedules for the Mt. Lowe Pony Trail Trip on one side
and the Picture Rock Mule Train trip on the other. Collectors Value
on this piece $8.00-15.00. Of course finding it in Pasadena I paid more than that!
July 5, 1997. The editor finally got technical support friend Kevin
Lerma to go on a hike with a few others of the Land - Sea Discovery Group.
We did the Dawn Mine hike and all faired quite well cept for Juan Torres
who somehow got a case of poison oak
on his buttocks.
July 12, 1997 five volunteers went up to Inspiration Point to assist in
clearing away some brush. Upon our arrival we were told the job was handled already, so we
went over to the Mt. Lowe Campgrounds. Once there Brian, Jim and Kent
repaired a hasp for a Forest Service locker which some fool had broken into. Bob
Wilde and myself explored the area where the cottages once were. While there a
group of scouts
from Arcadia arrived and it was amazing to see the energy these kids had after hiking in
three miles.
July 26,1997 I went to the Orange County Postcard show and scored big. I
found two Alpine Tavern menus, a Tavern business card, and a wonderful booklet propagating
the wonders of Mt. Lowe. John Robinson was there also with friends Paul
and Willis. John finally found his Echo Mt. Powerhouse postcard and for
only $5.00!
Thanks to Michael De Ghetto of Alpine Division Scale
Models for sending in a copy of the Reporter a Fedco publication. Reporter Carla Kallen
did a nice article on the Mt. Lowe railroad for their July issue.
Special thanks to my wife Susan Brouwer for all of her
assistance while we prepared for the large display at the Glendora Library.
The display was a large project that needed lots of TLC. Risers had to be made and placed
just right, placards written, printed and cut, photos enlarged, and all through the
creative process and set up Susan was right there with me. Thanks! Also dear friend and
collector Michael Patris contributed some major pieces to the display and
was there to help out on set up day. When it was all said and done we stepped back and
gave it two thumbs up. Thanks Michael!
Mt. Lowe Display News
A display of historical photographs, postcards, memorabilia, books and
artifacts depicting the Scenic Mt. Lowe Railroad took place at the Glendora
Public Library, 140 S. Glendora Ave. Glendora,
Ca. 91740. The library is open 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 10:00
a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Thursday through Saturday. The collection was on display the entire month
of September 1997.
This extensive display of Mt.
Lowe Railway items is from the personal collection of Jake Brouwer,
editor of Echo Mtn. Echoes, a newsletter for aficionados of the historic site, and other
contributions from members of the Scenic Mt. Lowe Railroad Historical Committee.
Mt Lowe tee shirts are available from Paul Ayers at the
price of $12.95. Write to Paul Ayers 1680 Las Flores Dr. Glendale, Ca. 91207.
Mtn. Marketplace
MOUNTAIN MARKETPLACE CLASSIFIED ADS are 25 cents per
word, $5.00 minimum. Name address, and telephone number must appear in all ads. Payment
must accompany your order. Send ad copy 2 weeks prior to mailing date posted in editorial
plan. Ads placed are subject to the availability of space and at the discretion of
Land-Sea Discovery Group.
PHOTOS WANTED. Researcher and writer wants photos of
life around the San Gabriel Mountain area especially Mt. Lowe and The East Fork. Will buy
or pay for use. Contact Jake Brouwer Land~Sea Discovery Group, PO Box 401904,
Hesperia, Ca. 92340. 760-949-4676
WANTED: Any Mt. Lowe, Alpine Tavern, or Echo Mountain
souvenirs, photos, collectibles or memorabilia. Michael Patris 818-570-0560 Eves.
BACK ISSUES AVAILABLE. Xerox copies of Vol. 1, number 1
or 2 = $1.00 each. Xerox copies of Vol. 1, numbers 3 or 4 = $2.00 each. Vol. 2 numbers 1
and 2 $3.00 each. Extra copies of current issues are $3.00 each. Land~Sea Discovery
Group, PO Box 401904, Hesperia, Ca. 92340.
BOOKS FOR SALE. The following list are books offered by
Land-Sea Discovery Group. All prices as of this printing include shipping and handling.
Insurance is extra. Send payment to Land~Sea Discovery Group, PO Box 401904,
Hesperia, Ca. 92340.
Mt. Lowe the Railway in the Clouds By
Charles Seims, 234pg, hardback, $47.95
Professor T.S.C. Lowe And His Mountain Railway
By Maria Schell Burden. 72 pg., paperback. $6.00
Angels Flight By Walt Wheellock, 47 pg., paperback.
$6.00
The Mount Wilson Story By John W. Robinson, 35pg,
paperback. $3.00
Trails of the Angeles By John W. Robinson 232
pg., paperback, map. $12.95
San Bernardino Mountain Trails By John W. Robinson, 258
pg., paperback $11.00
Mountain Bicycling In the San Gabriels By Robert Immler,
122pg, paperback, $9.00
Mountain Bicycling Around Los Angeles By Robert Immler,
126pg, paperback $9.00
The San Gabriels By John W. Robinson,
310pg, hardback, $34.95
The San Bernardinos By John W. Robinson, 256pg,
hardback, $32.95
To Mt. Lowe With Love Video VHS format, running time 32
minutes. Includes shipping $34.95
Mt Lowe, The Railway in the Clouds. Video tape VHS
format with a running time of 44 minutes. By Charles Seims. Price includes shipping,
$34.95
MINING BOOKS FOR SALE. The following lists are books
offered by Land-Sea Discovery Group. All prices as of this printing include shipping and
handling. Insurance is extra. Send payment to Land~Sea Discovery Group, PO Box
401904, Hesperia, Ca. 92340.
Mines of the San
Gabriels By John W. Robinson, 72 pg., Paperback, $4.50
Mines of the East fork By John W. Robinson 70pg.,
Paperback, $4.50
Mines of the San Bernardinos By John W. Robinson, 71pg.,
Paperback, $4.50
Mines of the Mojave By Ron and Peggy Miller, 71pg.,
Paperback, $4.50
Mines of the High Desert By Ronald Miller, 71pg.,
Paperback, $4.50
Mines of Julian By Helen Ellsberg, 71pg. Paperback,
$4.50
Mines of Death Valley By L. Burr Belden, 71pg.,
Paperback, $4.50
Mines of the Eastern Sierra By Mary DeDecker, 72pg.,
Paperback, $4.50
GOLD! Gold! By Joseph F. Petralia, 143pg., Paperback,
$9.95
STERLING SILVER SOUVENIR SPOONS. Thats right, we
are offering these three spoons as described. #1. Stem features
California scenes. Bowl features the Great Mt. Lowe Incline. $60.00 #2.
Stem features the Incline up to top where San Gabriel Mission is
featured. The bowl says Los Angeles in script of the period. $50.00 #3. Stem has initials
and the date 1905. Bowl features the Great Mt. Lowe Incline. $60.00 To
reserve by e-mail jakelsdg@earthlink.net Send
check or money order with $3.00 postage to: Land~Sea Discovery Group, PO Box
401904, Hesperia, Ca. 92340.
WRITERS WANTED: Echoes is looking for writers to do feature, short, and
department articles about the Mt. Lowe area and surrounding San Gabriel Valley and
Mountains. For writers guidelines contact Land~Sea Discovery Group, PO Box 401904,
Hesperia, Ca. 92340. Include SASE. Or e-mail jakelsdg@earthlink.net
This issue
blasts us with echoes from Millard Canyons Dawn Mine. You ask, "What has that
to do with the Mt. Lowe Railroad?" Did you know the railroad was used to haul ore to
market from the mine? The railroad also had a station stop called Dawn Station and it was
used in the conductors spiel as they rounded the curves of the Alpine division. Read
on in this issue to hear a bit of the Dawn Mines history, how to get there hiking,
and some clips on mine dangers and one adventurers trip to the mine.
Many interesting and
beautiful places are above us in the San Gabriel Mountains and as the pages of our paper
turn, we hope to present to you stories and articles that will please you.
As this issue winds to an
end I find myself buried in a new project. The Land-Sea Discovery Group will present a
display of Mt. Lowe and Thaddeus Lowe material at the Glendora Public Library the entire
month of September. This is our first time at such a large display of our collection.
Im sure that youll enjoy seeing things youve never seen before regarding
our beloved railroad.
Our winter issue will
offer up some great snow scenes of Alpine, Echo, and plain ol wintertime fun on the
mountain.
til
next time, Jake
Land-Sea Discovery Group Contact Information
Postal address:
Land~Sea Discovery Group
PO Box 401904
Hesperia, Ca. 92340
Electronic Mail:
Sales: jakelsdg@earthlink.net
General Information: jakelsdg@earthlink.net
Webmaster: Echowebmaster@aaaim.com
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Last modified: July 10, 1997
No part of this paper may be reproduced in any form
without written permission from: Jake Brouwer
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