Jib Mill

The Hope, Katy, and White Elephant mines behind this sign were once part of the most productive mining enterprises in the history of Basin. The Hope and Katy lodes produced $5,000,000 of ore between 1890 and 1910. On April 20, 1895, the Basin Times told of a particularly good strike that was made that spring. “The Hope mine has long been noted for the richness of its ores, but now it is noted for the quantity of solid gold. Upon the discovery of (a drift of exceptionally rich ore) Foreman Buckley summoned Manager Fletcher to the scene at once and the first piece that he picked up contained over $500 of pure gold. The surroundings fairly dazzled his eyes.” The Jib Mill was built in 1900 to efficiently process the ore. At one time more than 100 men were employed at the mill. The structure burned down in 1975.