07.04.2024 (13:41:33)
Victor, Colo. View Across Hills Southeast of the Town, Passed the Great Central Mining & Milling Company's Maggie Mine
Schedin & Lehman
This overview of Victor as seen from somewhere in South-East has been credited to several photographs, Schedin & Lehman is written on an Image seen at DPL, where also Julia Skolas has her name, but as this view is from after the 1899 fire which took out much of Victor, but before the head-frame of the Gold Coin was covered sometime in 1900/1901 timeframe, I can't see how she can have actually have taken this photo, so I think she bought it and the rights to it – and possible others – from the Schedin & Lehman company after she arrived at the District.
The usefulness of this image is really on the DPL view, as most of the mines are deep into the image and some of them are really not much to actually see anything other than knowing they are in this view in order to help place them in a mental map of the District/area.
* In the foreground left is the mine I've seen a close-up off from the other side, where it then was marked as "Great Central Mining & Milling Co.", and from other sources I have it linked as being named/known as the Maggie Mine.
* About middle bottom/top along the right-hand side is the top part of the Shaft-house of the Strong Mine, with the Victor High-School in front of it.
* About 2/5 down from top and about center left/right is the large smokestack of the Gold Coin mine, with the Head-frame at right of the smokestack – best seen on the DPL large image. This helps date the image except I don't know the date the head-frame was enclosed in the brick structure most common known as the Gold Coin mine.
* Above the smokestack of the Gold Coin, high up on Squaw Mtn. is a dump area seen, there is a small Shaft-house there, again I refer to the DPL as best view, that is the Nellie V. mine.
* About 1/4 in from right-hand side, and about 1/3 down from top, is the large Ajax Mine complex seen, with the big dump out over the hillside of Battle Mountain. Looking at the DPL view one can actually see they are extending the Ore-house towards right in this view.
* Just right of the Ajax is the upper shaft of the Dead Pine, located along the Golden Circle, they did as the Portland Mine did, they have a tunnel over the tracks of the Golden Circle narrow gauge line, except here it is made of wood, not steel as on the Portland property. Can't say it is on the view, I know it is there, seen as a dark spot between Ajax and Dead Pine, but it is too far away to be of any use at all.
* Further to the right, just left of the massive Portland dumps, where the hill curves, there lays the Granite Mine, seen with its Shaft-house and power house, smokestack and all, albeit at a to large distance to be of any good use for a model work, it helps in determining where in the area it was located.
* The Dillon Mine has actually two shafts seen in this view, again it is the DPL view that is really of any use to such image research, a slight distance left of the shaft-house of the Strong mine on the right-hand side, there is a small Head-frame and small hoist house seen on the hillside with a dump – that is located on the Dillon claim. Further up the hill, more hidden away due to distance and such, is the more commonly associated boxy type of Shaft-house of the Dillon seen where it lays just below the mainline of the M.T. climbing the hills towards the Portland mine area outside the view at right. Seen best on the DPL view at a 100% look, or try the 200% and go near right-hand corner, the only shaft-house in this area with lettering on the side of the structure.
* Again, the DPL is of help to locate the Ore-house of the Mary Cashen Mine, as it is poking up among the roofs of Victor structures, about halfway between the Strong and the Gold Coin mines.
* Also, on the DPL Image the Fortuna Mine is seen quite well in the 100% view, just where the word 'Skolas' is written about 2/5 up from bottom and about 1/3 in from right-hand side. Showing a small Head-Frame west of the Hoist & Power House, with what might have been the loo west of the head-frame or possible a shed for dynamite?
My Collection; From page 17 in the 1904 Annual Edition of the Colorado State Journal.

• Page 17; Colorado State Journal; 1904 Annual Edition - Published in 1904.
• Page 76; Program of Trans-Mississippi Commercial Congress - Cripple Creek, Colorado, July 16, 17, 18, 19, 1901 - Published in 1901.

• Denver Public Library: ⊞ Call Number: CHS.X7925
• My Website; Album Page View: ⊞ Books; Trans-Mississippi Commercial Congress 1901 [Pic 79]

I-01131
Photograph/Image [#174]
www.cripplecreekrailroads.com/01main/all_known_entities/pics_list-evry1_sort-newtop.php#17407.04.2024 (13:39:34)
Battle Mountain Mines From Southeast
Unknown
To me this view here is informative and nice. Sadly, the original image is quite faded, but I been able to work around most of that and got some details better visible. Dating this image is helped by lack of the Short Line grade into Victor from east; making this photographed from before latter half of 1901 as by November that year, some of what is seen in this image would have had to give way make room for the Short Line and new High Line grade. And being the original High Line trestle is seen near upper right on Battle Mountain, this view has been taken after December 1, 1897, as that is the date the rails and catenary was in place on the route to Victor. This gives a near 4-year span on when this image was photographed by someone unknown.
Against the sky at about 1/3 in from right-hand side is an earlier edition of the later more famous large Portland No.2 Shafthouse, only dumps are seen up there so the large orehouse often seen in images are yet to come, as those seems linked to the still to come Short Line branchline, also a late 1901 happening.
Further downhill the quite familiar shafthouse of the Portland No.1 Burns Shaft is seen, with 5-smokestacks, long orehouse, and various larger structures linked to that mine. Looking at high-resolution scans I see three large round watertanks linked to the Portland mines, and I see the Scranton shafthouse on the hillside above and to the right of the Portland No.1 shafthouse.
I also see the lower tunnel opening of the famous Golden Circle Steel Tunnel that was built to be covered by the Portland dump, an article in a journal named 'Engineering' was published September 17, 1898 talking about that tunnel and showing images that would suggest this image to be from after that time, taking us down to a 3-year span in the dating department.
To the left of the Portland No.1 dumps on the high-resolution scans I can pick out the upper Granite Mine structures, but at my 2400dpi scan I still can't say for sure if I see structures along a long dump on the hillside above the Granite, structures that if I read my maps, like the 1903ish topographic USGS one, is mostly on the Lowell lode claim, there seems to be some structures but to far away to tell for sure.
The Ajax mine is seen against the sky near upper left side of the image, with the north, or upper, shafthouse structures of the Dead Pine mine operations to the right of the Ajax, with what appears to be a string of boxcars parked on the 3-foot Golden Circle railroad just to the right of those structures.
Further downhill and to the left of the easy to spot old shafhouse of the Strong Mine a smaller headframe with hoisthouse to the right of it is seen, I often wonder about it, and this might be the location of the W. C. Dillon lode claim discovery shaft, but I have no good maps to tell me for certain as the only possible marking on the 1903ish topo-map is also close to the Strong lode sideline, but most likely it is just a shaft operation on the W. C. Dillon.
Strong Mine has been mentioned, it is the older tower-like easy to spot shafthouse, with its still standing today ore-house seen in front of and somewhat to the left of the shafthouse.
Going to the right from the Strong one passes the Stratton's Independence dump and what might still be some left-over structures of the original Discovery Shaft of the Independence lode claim, not easy to tell for certain.
Also not easy to tell for sure, but just to the lower left of the easy to spot orehouse of the Independence mine there is a small dump and some structures on that dump that fits with the location of the Discovery Shaft of the Washington lode claim, but the structure fail to fit the only known image of the Washington mine, so I can't compare views and verify through that.
Talking about the Stratton's Independence, that mine has three larger ore-houses spread out along the M.T. grade, and the large Shafthouse of the Independence No.2 is seen in the background left of the large Independence Orehouse and the huge belching smoke smokestack of the Independence.
The old Taylor-Brunton Sampler that was along the M.T. mainline below the Portland Mine is also seen near right-hand side of the image about halfway up from bottom right.
In addition to those mining-based structures, the roadbed of the Florence & Cripple Creek is seen here and there, with some boxcars parked alongside a longer structure just where the Golden Circle trackage has melted into the F. & C. C. tracks, possible a coal shed and storage area for many products, but to be gone later as it is not seen on the 1903ish topo-map.
There is a dump on the hillside below that before mention shed and boxcars string, about 1/3 up from bottom and 2/5 in from right-hand side, this I believe was around the Discovery Shaft, most likely on a secondary shaft south of it, on the Corrigan Chief lode claim, with what feels like some sort of mining structures type small mill below that again, being two structures at two levels being connected and having some smokestacks. This structure also does not seem to appear on the 1903ish topo-map so could have been gone by the time that map was prepared. For now, this would be one of many unknowns, unless it is the Robert McCools Foundry, that is shown on Sheet11 of the Victor 1900 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, as that fits the image somewhat well!
I did procure the colored version of this image, if that is what you see, as I think it is nicer. Source is gray-toned, or in common speech black & white. Used an online service and tweaked and worked with image to get what looks best to my eyes for the moment.
My Collection; Photographs.

• My Website: ⊞ Battle Mountain Mines From Southeast
• My Website; Cropped Photolink: ⊞ Battle Mountain Mines From Southeast [Enhanced; Colored]

P-04750
Photograph/Image [#544]
www.cripplecreekrailroads.com/01main/all_known_entities/pics_list-evry1_sort-newtop.php#54407.04.2024 (13:38:18)
Ajax Mine, Victor, Colorado.
Julia Skolas
This view near top of Battle Mountain show a scene around the Ajax Mine where part of the Ajax Mill is seen as a structure at far left, partly visible, then lot of various structures follows as eyes walk right on the image. The Ajax Mine is about 1/3 in from right hand side, having the Portland No. 1 at its right and the Portland No. 2 about middle top of image.
This been a popular view by Julia, as by last check of my database on July 1, 2022, I counted/know of 12 uses of this scene for various postcard editions/crops and postcard folders.
My Collection; Postcards.

• Postcard by unknown; seen post-stamped June 25, 1906 - Published in ????.

• My Website; Postcards Overview: ⊞ Ajax Mine, Victor, Colorado.

P-00207
Photograph/Image [#484]
www.cripplecreekrailroads.com/01main/all_known_entities/pics_list-evry1_sort-newtop.php#48421.11.2021 (16:00:57)
South Slope Battle Mountain, with the Granite, Lowell Dump, Anna Lee, Bob Tail & Portland Mines
Unknown
As a nearly identical photo appeared in a February/March 1896 publication, and copyrighted 1895, I assume this photo to been taken no later than sometime in 1895 as well.
This scene on Battle Mountain is an early one, from before the Golden Circle Railroad was built, and the area drastically changed look/character. In foreground left-hand side, almost middle up, is the headframe of the Granite mine, with the dump of the Lowell mine seen about the height of the headframe up the hill. Further up the hill and a little to the right, against the sky, is the Shaft-house, ore-house and dump of the Anna Lee mine. Further downhill to the right, still against the sky, is the Shaft-house, ore-house, dump of the Bob Tail mine, while in the background right is structures belonging to the Portland Mine – possible already the early Burns Shaft of the Portland.
I did procure the colored image; source had a gray-tone image, or in common speech black & white. Used an online service and tweaked and worked with image to get what looks best to my eyes at the moment.
My Collection; From page 16 in the 1903 New Year issue of Cripple Creek Times. I did procure the colored version of this image. Source was grayish, or in common speech black & white. Used an online service and tweaked and worked with image to get what looks best to my eyes at the moment.

• Page 16; The Cripple Creek Times; New Years 1903 - Published in 1903.

I-01957
Photograph/Image [#385]
www.cripplecreekrailroads.com/01main/all_known_entities/pics_list-evry1_sort-newtop.php#38529.05.2018 (10:50:21)
Granite Mine Ruins, Battle Mountain, Victor Colo.
Lehr ?
This is a view at what was left of the Granite Mine after the explosion January 8, 1911. Or possible some days/week after, not sure if the Head-frame is put up after wrecking of the original one, or if this was what was in use at time of the explosion that wrecked the Engine/Hoist House seen at left side.
The crib-wall seen in foreground is holding the ground back from the Golden Circle trackage that ran in the cut at the bottom. While behind the headframe is seen another railroad track, almost halfway down from the top on the right-hand side, this is the Short Line Ajax branch-line.
Dump at upper right I assume is part of the Portland No. 2 dumps, while the mine seen more to the left near top of image is at the moment of writing this [28.05.2018] a mystery mine to me, actually both, as there is one more even higher up…
My Collection; Postcards.

• My Website; Postcards Overview: ⊞ Granite Mine Ruins
• My Website; Cropped Postcard View: ⊞ Granite Mine Ruins [Enhanced, Straightened, Scaled Down From 1200dpi Scan]

P-03691
Photograph/Image [#311]
www.cripplecreekrailroads.com/01main/all_known_entities/pics_list-evry1_sort-newtop.php#31127.05.2018 (09:02:13)
Granite Mine Victor Colo
William H. Lehr [aka Bill Lehr]
Scene shows the smaller more 'modern' Granite Mine as it was looking at the time of the photo, with the dumps of the Portland No. 2 in upper left and the Lumber Work House of the Portland No. 1 seen about 1/3 down from top and center sideways, while the Head-Frame is seen near right-hand side. The old grade of the Golden Circle ran in the 'cut' seen in lower right quadrangle – having come out from the Steel Tunnel below the Portland No. 1 dumps, part of the crib-walls is still seen in this view.
There appears to still be track on the Short Line Ajax branch as well, seen below the Portland No. 2 dumps in upper left, track is seen about 1/3 down from top, from left-hand edge to about 2/5 into the view towards right, where it curves out of out view.
My Collection; Postcards.

• My Website; Postcards Overview: ⊞ Granite Mine Victor Colo
• My Website; Cropped Postcard View: ⊞ Granite Mine Victor Colo [enhanced]

P-03688
Photograph/Image [#309]
www.cripplecreekrailroads.com/01main/all_known_entities/pics_list-evry1_sort-newtop.php#30903.04.2018 (09:54:16)
#11-11; Victor, Colorado - "The City of Mines" (Early 1900's)
Tomer Jacob Hileman [1911]
This view of Victor is looking north from Straub Mountain area. Photographed in 1911 by the Hileman as the view is credited to. Being this is from a printed card in a small more modern postcard folder it is not the greatest quality, but one gets an idea of the town and the many mines in and around it. In addition, in this view they are marked out, even if there is at least one error in that marking.
* In upper left quadrangle is the Portland No. 1 & No. 2 marked out, but the location of the No. 2 shaft of the Portland is NOT where this image gives it! Portland No. 2 shaft is in this view above the No. 1 shaft, seen a little left of the center of this view sideways. No. 2 Shaft of Portland is seen against the sky with No. 1 just below it, with the huge dumps where No.1 is written. The Granite, original shaft, is located where this card has written the No.2 text.
* Just behind and left of the huge smokestack of the Gold Coin shaft, marked in this view as Granite, is the main shaft of the Dead Pine. The dump is much easier seen then the mine itself.
My Collection; Postcards/Postcard Album.

• Postcard; Unknown Publisher; titled Victor, Colorado - "The City of Mines" (Early 1900's) - Published in ????.

• My Website: ⊞ Postcards Overview; Victor, Colorado - "The City of Mines" (Early 1900's)

P-00307
Photograph/Image [#162]
www.cripplecreekrailroads.com/01main/all_known_entities/pics_list-evry1_sort-newtop.php#16203.04.2018 (09:40:47)
#11-9; Victor, Colorado - "The City Of Mines"
H. & H. Studio [Hileman & Hill] [1909]
This view of Victor is looking north from Straub Mountain area. Photographed in 1909 by the H. & H. Studio in Cripple Creek, it was taken by either Hileman or Hill, impossible to tell for sure as the view is credited to them both. Being this is from a printed card in a small more modern postcard folder it is not the greatest quality, but one gets an idea of the town and the many mines in and around it.
* Gold Coin, here marked as Granite Mine on the south facing ore-house, is seen about middle top/down and about 1/5 in from left-hand side.
* Just behind the huge smokestack of the Gold Coin is the main shaft of the Dead Pine, named Oliver Shaft for some reason. The dump is much easier seen then the mine itself.
* Straight up from the Gold Coin smokestack, in the distance; against the sky; sticking up from the hill, is the shaft-house of the American Eagle.
* The Ajax Mine is about 1/4 down from top left, about 1/6 on from left-hand side.
* Further to the right of the Ajax would been upper shaft of the Dead Pine, the Granite (original shaft/mine) – seen about 1/3 in from left-hand side – and the Burns (main) shaft of the Portland mines, with the Portland No. 2 seen just off to the right for the center of the upper quarter in this view.
* Towards the right-hand side is seen the Strong Mine, about half top/down and 2/3 in from the left-hand side.
* The Independence Mine is just right of the Strong mine, seen with its huge dumps and structures.
* The Vindicator Mine, shaft 1, is seen above the Independence mine, about 1/3 down from top.
My Collection; Postcards/Postcard Album.

• Postcard; Unknown Publisher; titled Victor, Colorado - "The City Of Mines" - Published in ????.

• My Website: ⊞ Postcards Overview; Victor, Colorado - "The City Of Mines"

P-00305
Photograph/Image [#160]
www.cripplecreekrailroads.com/01main/all_known_entities/pics_list-evry1_sort-newtop.php#16025.02.2017 (11:14:23)
Granite Mine & Battle Mountan Mines
Unknown [1895]
View of the Granite Mine front left, with the Golden Circle side spur passed its orehouse seen partly in lower right and the tramway to the dump where a miner is about to dump a mine ore car seen middle right-hand side. Where the crib-wall is seen on the left-hand side the mainline of the Golden Circle is climbing up towards other mines on Battle Mountain, but where it also is a side spur back to the Coal Shed seen just above the crib-wall. The Shaft house of the Granite is seen behind the coal shed.
Just behind the shaft house of the Granite mine, is the Shaft house of the Lowell mine – with a small smokestack near the peak of the roof. All this is on the left-hand side of the view. Behind those mines, more right and up on the hill a little, one can see the cut made by the M.T. railroad, and further up in the background, is seen three other shaft houses.
First, highest up, is the Shaft house of the Anna Lee Mine, with the Portland No. 2 Shaft House just right of it, with a Water-tank just below that mine to the right in this view.
Below the water-tank is a shed like structure that appears to match perfectly to a known structure on the Bob Tail mine, located just below the M.T. roadbed. What happen to the shaft house seen on other views of the Bob Tail I can't tell you about now [as per 08.01.2017].
The Shaft house furthest down the hill in this view I am not 100% certain about, but I think it is the shaft house known as the Independence No.2 mine. But it fits the look of that mine and location when compared to for instance DPL image X-62454.
DPL image X-62544.
Copyright restrictions applying to use or reproduction of this image available from the Western History and Genealogy Dept., Denver Public Library, at photosales@denverlibrary.org.

• Denver Public Library: ⊞ Call Number: X-62544

I-00367
Photograph/Image [#36]
www.cripplecreekrailroads.com/01main/all_known_entities/pics_list-evry1_sort-newtop.php#36

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