The Keystone Mine was also known as the Jones Keystone Mine. I do not remember why.. Flake told me how the town behind his house flourished during the early 1900’s and how they took the ore out of the mine by a shaft/open top mine. They found gold and precious gems there. The top of the mountain is open and there are side ways shafts and some shafts that go straight down as well. Flake told me of lost dogs and other animals that were unlucky to fall into the holes .
It was a rather large operation from the looks of things. They had a smelter and or something to separate the ore with. There is still a vat out of cement and rock as well as pillars for a foundation for some type of machinery.
When I finally had the nerve and time to ride on past Flake’s home I went down a hill and crossed a small creek. On the other side as I went up the hill there were areas of extreme over growth of vines and such. Much to my surprise I found remains of old building now fallen in with chimneys out of rock and brick along with pillars and steps out of the same. Come places the roofs were visible but on the ground. There were a few buildings standing maybe three, but too scary to try to go inside. In all I would guess maybe 20 structures.
From the town you kept climbing towards a fork in the road. At this point staying straight you could see the cobble stone road alot and if you turned left past the vat it took you to the top of the mountain. Clearly much work had been done here.
Now the timber has been cut and it is mighty rough getting into this area for the brush, briers and such have took over. You can still follow and see the cobble stone road and where the town stood is nothing but rubble and a few scattered piles of stuff mostly metal. One old tree was standing near where a building had stood that I remember the last time I was back there. In the spring there are still a few daffodils that bloom a testament to some woman that lived and loved and had a home there.
All but lost now to history…It lives in my mind because one old man shared with a young girl his memories.
Kay
