Chollar - Potosi, Hale & Norcross and the Savage Mines

— Comstock Historical Marker No.4 —

The Combination Shaft began in 1875 when the owners of the Chollar-Potosi, Hale & Corcross and the Savage mines combined their efforts to sink a shaft to explore the Comstock Lode at a greater depth. The Combination was the deepest shaft ever sunk on the Comstock, reaching a depth of 3,250 feet. Low grade ore was found at this level, but proved to be of little value. The Combination was plagued by flooding in the mid-1880's and the two Cornish pumps lifting over 5 million gallons of water a day could not handle the incoming water. Another problem was the stifling heat of 130 degrees due to geothermal forces that often doubled over miners with stomach cramps. The Combination became cost prohibitive and in October, 1886 the pumps were shut down. Within 36 hours water rose to the 2,400 foot level, filling the lower workings of the Chollor-Potosi, Hale & Norcross and the Savage mines. Assessments on the Combination eventually reached $7 million with virtually no return to the owners. It proved to be one of the more costlier ventures in the history of the Comstock.

You can see the remains of the site on the hill side south east of Virginia City to the left (east) of the truck route highway 341.

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Show me all markers in:  Virginia City, NV  |  Storey County  |  89440  |  Nevada  |  United States of America

The Fourth Ward School
Chollar Mine
Fourth Ward School
Engineering Marvels on the Comstock
Chollar - Potosi Mining Co.
Mackay Mansion
Mackay Mansion
Gould & Curry Offices
C. J. Prescott House
Hale & Norcross Mining Co.

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