Endangered Historic Mine & Mill

[Cecile]

Many of you on this board have been with us to the Log Cabin Mine/Big Ass Mine. It's naive to think that only the good people are going to be told about this place. They aren't selecting who they tell, the word is out - the Log Cabin Mine exists and it's common knowledge. There is a whole display case in the museum in Lee Vining devoted to it, and an entire photo album with original pictures from the 30's and 40's. The notice announcing the work party on the 25th was on an outside bulletin board and was the only thing on that board, right in a place where everyone can see it. For the past year it's been exposed by High Sierra SUV Trails Volume I The East Side by Roger Mitchelll - that alone told everybody. It's easily accesible by anyone going up the the Tioga Pass to Yosemite which is a high traffic area - there has been a sign right there at the dirt road that says Log Cabin Mine Road, since last year. We can't keep quiet any more in fear that the wrong people are going to find out - they already know. As fast as things are being boarded up someone comes up there and tears it down. We repaired a couple of boards,on a Tuesday, and they were torn down again by Sunday. It's more than a hole in a window by a rock - it's a completely broken window that anyone could crawl in, and it's not just that window, there are others that are broken. It's not just the vandals - it's the harsh winter weather - the area to the side where the tool bins are has been falling down for years - but is totally down now and the forest service and historical society had done some work on cleaning it up before we got up there that Tuesday - they were going to do more yesterday. But they need help doing it - they are going to need funds, they are going to need man power - and they need to know that there is enough interest in this for them to continue in efforts. There are also a lot of people around who worked up there in the 1930's that are still alive but aren't going to be around that much longer and someone needs to start gathering their histories. The apparent goal is for the place to be ready for tourists to come up in 2005 - well, that's just a year away, it's almost 2004 now. But they need to know that people are going to help them and support them, not just sit back and keep quiet about it because we are worried about the big secret being let out - the secret is no longer a secret. If we don't write letters to the forest service and historical society and they don't get enough support, there is real danger efforts won't continue and the place will be totally left to the vandals and lost forever because no one will care. But if we get the word out and do our part, even if it's from our computers, our e-mails and our own websites, there's a good chance as I said that a Friends of the Log Cabin Mine organization will form and save the place. I also think there's a chance that by voicing our opinion we may be able to persuade the powers that be to let select groups get inside the buildings for guided tours instead of being forced to stare in the plexiglass windows they plan to put up. I don't want to see this place turn into Bodie, but it's better than the alternative of nothing being done. We can't just sit back any more - we have to act.

Please go to my website for October and check out "Can We Save This Mine? You Can Make A Difference". I'm hoping you will help me inmy campaign to save this historic mine and mill. Thanks!!!!

Cecile
Well behaved women rarely make history-
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Real women shift into 4WD!

[Cecile]

Here's a sample of the letter I wrote to the Mono Basin Historical Society. If everyone would at least write a simple e-mail to them saying they would like to save this area saved, it would be helpful. I will keep everyone posted as time goes on.


To Mono Basin Historical Society attention: Don Banta

My husband and I are historical 4wd tour guides for Ecological 4-wheeling Adventures. We have been touring the Log Cabin Mine for the past three years or so. Upon our recent visit we saw the signs that you have posted that you have joined hands with the Inyo National Forest Service to help protect this important historical resource. Through the volunteer at the Mono Basin Historical Society, we were given Larry Ford's name, and he in turn gave us Don Banta's name.

I understand the importance of preservation efforts. I also understand that you will need help and support. I have posted an article on my online magazine www.explorehistoricalif.com that calls attention to your efforts and am asking that people contact you with their letters of support. I have deliberately been a bit vague about where the actual location of the Log Cabin Mine is to avoid being a catalyst for more vandalism up there than there already is. However, there are enough people out there that are interested in preserving historical sites such as this, that I am hoping I will reach them and they will in turn send you their letters of support.

I am here in Los Angeles most of the time, but do visit the Owens Valley and the Eastern Sierras regularly. My husband and I are Friends of Jawbone, Friends of Cerro Gordo, and would now be interested in knowing what we could do to help initiate a Friends of Log Cabin Mine or Save the Log Cabin Mine type organization.

I personally want to know what I can do from my home to ensure that your efforts to save the Log Cabin Mine, continue. Please let me know if there is any thing I else I can do, other than letting the word out through my website, on the various message boards. and through personal e-mails and letters to people who care about these sorts of places.


I am very interested in hearing from you.

Thank you.....

Cecile
Well behaved women rarely make history-
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Real women shift into 4WD!

[Cecile]

Here's the e-mail address: mbhs@qnet.com

Cecile
Well behaved women rarely make history-
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Real women shift into 4WD!

[Cecile]

All right - I just got a reply from Mono Basin Historical Society:



'Thank you for your great email. I will pass it on to Don Banta today if I
can catch up with him. We will try and mail you our news letter that is
coming out Jan . 2004 covering the history and what we are trying to do at
Log Cabin Mine.

In meantime as President of Mono Basin Historical Society I wish to thank
you for your interest and your help in preserving Log Cabin Mine. It will be
a long hard struggle, but we all want to save it as a historical site.

Norm De Chambeau
President Mono Basin Historical society
& Curator 'Old School House Museum' PO Box 31 Lee Vining Ca 93541'
_________________
Cecile

Cecile
Well behaved women rarely make history-
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Real women shift into 4WD!

[JackSilb]

Way to go.

Thanks,
-JACK


So much to see, so little time. Try using your 4WD tosee and do more.
Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly...
http://www.4wdtrips.net

[Cecile]

I am not going to share every letter of support I get, but the first one came in. The mine is also known as the Simpson Mine, as well as the Log Cabin Mine, or Big Ass Mine. Anyway, if you don't know what to write - here's a perfect example. And if you guys don't start reading this post, I'm may have to personally private message each and everyone of you. I know that you guys care about this stuff. Please please please write your letter of support!


To Whom It May Concern:

Please add our names to the list of parties interested in preserving the "Simpson" Mine. Many times I have wandered the mountains surrounding Lee Vining and Mono Lake discovering old remnants of our past history. These items have always been left for the next person to enjoy and wonder about. It seems only fitting that a mine like this be preserved and made available for others to wander near, enjoy and learn from.

We respectfully submit our support to preserve this mine and any artifacts that remain. We also hope that the Forest Service continues to take a preservation stance when it comes to our mining history, whether they occur on public lands within their jurisdiction or private lands which fall adjacent.

Sincerely,

Eric A. Mayer, Debra M. Cates and Lillian C. Cates (our 5 year old daughter whose wonder of these places is matched only by our own)

http://www.ghosttownphotography.com
_________________
Cecile
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Cecile
Well behaved women rarely make history-
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Real women shift into 4WD!

[BajaTaco]

Hi Cecile - I think your efforts are wonderful and will be successful.

I just read the gunfighter story and saw the antelope, and the other photos- too cool!!!

Don't forget to change the URL in your profile - it still points to your tripod site.


http://www.bajataco.com
Vibram or BFG - getting there on rubber and seeing it all!