Tramway part of state’s only functioning stamp mill

The historic Golden Reef Stamp Mill tramway features cabled ore carts that carry rock for crushing to the only operational stamp mill in Arizona.

However, for more than a century, the tramway laid dormant on the side of a mountain where it was to come to life in Cave Creek's Mining District. A team of professionals has spent the last five years bringing it back.

According to Golden Reef 10-stamp mill expert Charlie Connell, the stamp mill system, which operated during the early 1870s, was discovered on the far side of Continental Mountain, 5 miles from Cave Creek Museum. The stamp mill and tramway were in disarray, so a decision was made in 2009 to remove the parts and rebuild the ore-crushing equipment.

"I noticed one of the towers off in the distance and asked (the former owners) about them," Connell said. "She told me the towers on her property had pretty much fallen down and rotted badly and the only items left were the towers’ steel parts and cables."

If used, the tramway would have made the process faster.

Mill experts said it would have been easier to build the original stamp mill closer to the mine. However, the closest water to run the mill was 2,000 feet so it was easier to put the mill there and build a tramway to access the ore. The tramway also made it faster to get the ore over the rough terrain, narrow paths and closer to the main access road. The six towers’ function was to string the tramway together. However, when team members arrived to remove them, one had collapsed, and it was determined that the others would have to be reconstructed in Cave Creek.

"A group of dedicated community members came together to rebuild the stamp mill so the public could enjoy this rich piece of mining history," said Pete Peterson, one of the tramway operators at the museum.

"It took half a decade to reconstruct the tramway and stamp mill which today provide the public with a look back in time at our early mining history. The tramway system at Cave Creek Museum's Arizona Gold Mining Experience represents tenacity, a love of history and a physical record of how mining was performed more than 150 years ago."

While at the museum, visitors also will experience the Golden Reef Stamp Mill, Arizona's only fully operational ten-stamp ore crushing mill. The 10, 1,000-pound stamps slam down in synchronized motion to pound ore removed from the mine into fine gravel. Guests will also experience gold panning and blacksmithing during their visit.

The outdoor demonstrations are open to the public from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays May 13 and May 27. Admission is $15 for adults and children under 12 are free. Reservations are required by visiting cavecreekmuseum.org. These are the final two demonstrations for the season.

Visitors, who should plan on coming early, can check in at 9 a.m. Culture passes are not accepted for this event. Groups and home school groups are requested to contact the museum office to schedule for special arrangements on another date.

The 52-year-old museum's mission is to preserve the artifacts of the prehistory, history, culture and legacy of the Cave Creek Mining District and the Cave Creek/Carefree foothills area through education, research and interpretive exhibits.

The Cave Creek Museum is at 6140 E. Skyline Drive. For more information, call 480-488-2764.

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