September 15, 2005

Longtime Almaden resident “Smitty” Smithson presents Kitty Monahan with a photograph mural of the quicksilver mine.

Close-up of the mural shows views of the old mine. Many of the buildings are now gone and there are only photographs to record the history of the Almaden Mine. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Uncovered treasure: mining display finds a home

Warfield “Smitty” Smithson presents New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association President Kitty Monahan with a photographic display of the mine. The find was made when Rev. V. Warwick James and “Smitty” were organizing the garage at St. Anthony’s Church on McKean Road. “I’m glad it’s going to have a home,” said Father James. The presentation consists of reproductions of photos taken of the old quicksilver mine from 1878 through 1886. Included is a letter from mining manager Bulmore Monahan accepting the piece for use at the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum.

—By Jeanne Carbone Lewis