(Photo credit: Western Mining History)
Silver was discovered in the narrow canyon of Monitor Creek in 1857. Substantial mining and community development did not occur until the early 1860s.
Monitor was named after the Civil War ship, USS Monitor. The Monitor was the first ironclad warship and launched on January 30, 1862. It sank during a storm on December 31, 1862 off the coast of North Carolina. Sixteen of the forty-nine officers and crew were lost.
By 1864, the town of Monitor boasted 50 buildings including a variety of stores, a Wells Fargo Station, a telegraph line to Genoa and a newspaper, the Alpine Monitor. The town grew to contain boarding houses, restaurants and six saloons to serve thirsty miners. A post office was opened in 1866 and the town had 2000 residents in 1860s and 70s. Nicholas Piequet opened a brewery in 1868 and planted hops in the canyon. The hops were a variety from the Alsace region of France and can still be seen by the astute observer 152 years later, one of the few traces that remain of the town.
Monitor from a hillside overlooking the canyon
The first roads in the area were toll roads developed in the 1860s. Enterprising individuals developed roads in exchange for passage fees. The Monitor Toll Road connected the East Fork of the Carson River in the west to Antelope Valley at the eastern base of the Sierras. The toll road was also used by camels, transporting salt to mills in Virginia City.
Mining declined in the 1880s and residents drifted away to more lucrative opportunities. The post office closed in 1888.
In 1898 the town name was changed to Loope in honor of east coast investor Dr. Loope. Loope and his associates poured money into mining exploration and activity. The town and local mines revived and a post office reopened in 1898 under the name Loope.
Despite the influx of money and the name change, Loope sank as quickly as the USS Monitor. The town declined and the post office closed for the final time in 1908.
Brief revivals occurred in the 1900s and 1930s. The Zaca Mine, located in the canyon above Monitor, was worked as late as the the 1960s. It is estimated the Monitor-Mogul produced between $3-5 million in gold, silver and copper.
Little of Monitor remains. Driving past, one would never imagine 2000 people lived and worked such a narrow canyon. An observant visitor can spot mine tailings, foundations and glory holes.
Monitor can be combined into a scenic trip including Markleeville, Mt. Bullion, Mogul, Morningstar Mine and Monitor Pass. Settlers in the area must have had a thing for “M” words!
Visited 10-26-2020, 10-11-2020, 8-23-2020
References
- Claititage Press: History Clues in Monitor Canyon
- Mitchell, Roger. High Sierra SUV Trails, Volume 1, The East Side. Track and Trail Publications, 2002. Pages 81-85.
- Scenic 4: The Route-Points of Interest
- Western Mining History: Monitor-Mogul District
- Wikipedia: USS Monitor
John Henricksen says
Hi Tami…I came across your website while searching for information on the Zaca Mine at Monitor. I’ve been on a mine hunting kick for the past 3 years, spending much time around Virginia City, Smith Valley and Silver Mountain City. I’ve recently started to explore the Monitor/Mogul area. I am hoping you could tell me which mine it is that you feature on your page, with the open adit. I wasn’t sure if this one one of the Zaca adits?
Tami says
Do you mean the photo at the end of the article? That adit is on the other side of the canyon, across the street from Zaca Mine.
Anonymous says
Thank you for the response Tami. It must be one of the adits for the Globe or the Red Gap mine. I’ll be having a look this weekend!
Tami says
Please let me know what you find. Be careful in the area, my vet warned me he sees a lot of rattle snake bites from there.
John says
I found the adit in your photo. I laughed out loud when I saw how close to the road it was. I can’t believe I missed it previously! I scaled the river bank to peek inside and was disappointed that it only goes in about 8 feet. I also hiked up to the Red Gap mine. This one has potential. Just need to do a little clearing at the entrance
John says
I made it back to Monitor last weekend. When I saw the adit in your photo, I had a good laugh. It was so close to the road. I’m surprised I missed it on my previous visit. I was able to make my way up the side of the river bank and have a look. Sadly, it only went in about eight feet. I then hiked up the canyon to the Red Gap mine. The adit opening is only 12 inches high, so, this weekend I’ll do some cleanup at the opening, and we shall see what’s inside!
Tami says
It’s surprising how many times I drove last and never noticed it. I didn’t cross over after my vet warned me about rattlers in the area. I haven’t hiked into Red Gap. I need to explore that area more before snow flies again.
Sorry for the delay, I have been on vacation with limited internet.
Bonnie Jean Deach says
My GGGreat uncle was found buried up to his waist in snow by the sheriff of Markleeville. I have the letter from the sheriff to his father telling him that he was found dead and was buried. Long story but I thought you might find it interesting.
Tami says
I would love to see the letter and any information you have. I know someone who might have more information on your uncle. It would be nice to document his life.