Before the Plaza fountain we know today was constructed in 1910, the Plaza had a “Mineral Fountain,” (pictured above.) Along its outside boundary were a number of what the Weekly Arizona Journal-Miner described as “peculiar red rock[s]…about which there has been much speculation as to what [they are].”
“The rock is peculiar in that it is susceptible of a good polish and it contains practically no grit," the paper continued, and is very soft, as it can be whittled with a knife like a piece of chalk. When the fountain was being built this rock attracted general attention from all who saw it, but no one seemed able to classify it.”
Then in April, 1903, two investigators identified the source of these peculiar rocks, not too far from Prescott. They gathered samples to take to several different assayers and what they found was a great surprise to everyone.
It turned out that the rocks held a metal never before seen in Yavapai County. They contained 20% aluminum! The owner of the property was immediately offered $10,000, but refused it, demanding $100,000 instead. (In today’s money, the offer would be nearly $358,000 with the owner holding out for $3.58 million.)
Now that aluminum deposits were confirmed in the area, miners began looking for it nearby. One mine that contained “copper, gold, and silver [as] the leading metals [with] aluminum, asbestos, and iron,” was just north of Yeager canyon," the Journal-Miner explained. This mine was owned by George Floyd and this ore was smelted in Humboldt.
ALSO ENJOY: Plaza Gazebo: A Fixture Since 1895
The early history of the gazebo on Prescott (AZ) downtown Plaza. First used as a bandstand, it became the focal point of many community events.
Another area where aluminum was found was in the Copper Basin District. Two mines, named “Satisfaction,” and the “Sink to Rise,” both included aluminum ore and were owned by business real estate man Ed Block. Gold in these mines averaged between a quarter ounce to three-quarters of an ounce per ton. “The ground is located on the southwest side of Copper Basin, twelve miles from [downtown Prescott,]” the paper reported.
By July 1908, the Sink to Rise mineshaft was 90 feet deep, and proved to be the better of the two mines. It produced up to an ounce of gold per ton, and, in today’s money, up to $3500 in aluminum. The ore was described as “chalky, and peculiarly white” with “iron sulphide disseminated through it,” as well as flakey gold. Being the only ore of [this] character in these parts,” it attracted many miners each week. “All who examine [it] pronounce it the most peculiar mineral deposit they have seen in the Territory.” The “pay streak may be termed of freaky make up, in a mineralogical sense, and it is doubtful if there is a more perplexing mining proposition in existence in this Territory.”
Strangely, the chalky part of the ore readily disintegrated when placed in water, leaving the metal. “The aluminum deposits lie in slabs,” the newspaper explained, “and some chunks weigh hundreds of pounds, [while] others a few pounds only. It is pronounced [as] one of the most unusual of mining claims in its formation and ore values yet discovered in this county, baffling all in making any determination and perplexing the owner as to what he has or what he can anticipate with depth.”
While many are knowledgable of gold, silver and copper deposits in Yavapai County, fewer are aware of the large aluminum deposits that were easily in reach of Prescott.
The story of a group of squatters who tried to take ownership of Prescott, AZ's public Plaza in 1867.
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SOURCES:
Weekly Journal-Miner, 4/29/1903; Pg. 2, Col. 3.
Weekly Journal-Miner, 12/27/1905; Pg. 6, Col. 2.
Weekly Journal-Miner, 3/11/1908; Pg. 2, Col. 6.
Weekly Journal-Miner, 7/1/1908; Pg. 7, Col. 1.
Weekly Journal-Miner, 6/30/1909; Pg. 5, Col. 4.
Weekly Journal-Miner, 2/2/1910; Pg. 5, Col. 4.
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