Thistle Creek Dredge Location: A Brief History of the Abandoned Mining Equipment

The Thistle Creek Dredge Location, situated on Queenstake property in Clear Creek, has a rich history that dates back to the early days of mining in the area. The dredge, which was once used to extract gold from the creek gravel, had been abandoned for many years before being purchased by Queenstake Mining Company in 1979.

The dredge's story begins with its original owners, the Lerner brothers, who bought it from a local seller for $35,000. However, the machine had already seen better days and was in disrepair. The Lerners, who now work for Queenstake, recall finding buckets scattered throughout the area, some of which were filled with trees growing out of them. Many of the 72 buckets used to scoop up pay dirt had been removed, a feat that required significant effort given their weight of 700 pounds each.

The dredge's pontoons, which allowed it to float on water, had also become clogged with silt. When Queenstake purchased the machine, many of its original brass fittings were missing, windows were broken, and machinery was damaged. Despite its condition, the company saw potential in reviving the dredge for use in their operations.

The gold deposit beneath Thistle Creek presented a unique challenge for mining companies, as it was underwater and would have been difficult and expensive to extract using traditional methods like bulldozers. The dredge, however, was already on site, making it an attractive option for Queenstake.

The decision to purchase the dredge was also influenced by the rising gold prices in 1979, which sparked a second Gold Rush and made dredge mining profitable once again. By the mid-1960s, all the dredges in the district had shut down due to rising costs outpacing gold prices. The Thistle Creek Dredge Location is now part of Queenstake's operations, offering a glimpse into the region's rich mining history.

Overall, the story of the Thistle Creek Dredge Location serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our industrial heritage and the potential for innovation in even the most abandoned of places.

Thistle creek dredge location