For more than a century before its downfall in the early 1970s,
the town of New Idria was the centerpiece for economic stability in
San Benito County. The mercury mine, which was founded in 1854 when
the mine’s claim was filed by four prospectors, was one of North
America’s largest mercury mines and later during World War I it was
the largest supplier of mercury to the U.S. Department of
Defense.
For more than a century before its downfall in the early 1970s, the town of New Idria was the centerpiece for economic stability in San Benito County.
The mercury mine, which was founded in 1854 when four prospectors filed the mine’s claim, was one of North America’s largest mercury mines and later during World War I it was the largest supplier of mercury to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Despite being in such a remote area, the mine in the southeastern portion of the county was one of many mines that helped drive commerce in San Benito County, said Ray Iddings of Three Rocks Research. In the last few years, Iddings had been trying to restore the area for historic purposes.
“It was an area of commerce,” he said. “South County was larger than North County at the time because of commerce.”
That was long before last week’s fire in the New Idria area that burned down about half of the abandoned town’s buildings.
The mine in the southern portion of the Panoche Valley, nearly 65 miles south of Hollister, has been abandoned for nearly 40 years but still attracts visitors to its historic ghost town.
During its years of production, the mine’s population grew and eventually reached into the thousands of people. The town included homes, shops, a church, a post office and a school – all of which stayed in business until the mine’s closure in 1972.
Some of the past residents still visit the town regularly, including the last mining supervisor Mark Ward.
Ward’s wife, Shirley, said that Ward and his son visited constantly cleaning up damage and helping to keep the area clean.
Said another former resident Mary Bruce: “This is home.”
See the full story in the Free Lance on Tuesday.
