Dates

• Existence: 1893 - 1909

Parallel Names

• Bamberger DeLamar Mining Company
• DeLamar Nevada Gold Mining Company

Biography

The Delamar Mining Company (1893-1909) was a gold mining company located in Delamar, Lincoln County, Nevada.

In 1889, the original gold site was discovered by miner John E. Ferguson, his wife Olivia, and Joseph Sharp. In 1892, the site and the surrounding area became a new mining district called the Monkey Wrench. In 1893, Joseph De Lamar purchased several claims in the district, including the site discovered by Ferguson. He renamed the nearby town of Ferguson to Delamar and established the Delamar Mining Company.

Due to the arid desert of Nevada, the town initially had little access to water and ran the mill and mine dry. Their first separation approach involved the use of chlorination; in 1895 this was substituted by a cyaniding process. Since the gold was found in quartzite, these dry processes released silica dust, causing many fatal cases of silicosis when miners breathed in this contaminated air. The town gained the nickname “The Widow Maker” as a result.

At its peak in 1897, the town had about 3000 occupants and boasted a number of attractions, including a theater, school, and multiple stores. In May 1900, the town was almost completely destroyed by an accidental fire, destroying over $60,000 worth of property. Rebuilding began almost immediately after the incident, although it was never fully completed.

In 1901, Joseph De Lamar sold the company to a new syndicate, which included Simon Bamberger and W. S. Godbe. They renamed the company to the Bamberger DeLamar Mining Company and continued processes, including introducing wet milling techniques and building a new 400-ton mill in 1902. The mine produced $25 million in gold and its town was the third richest district in 1906. At the height of production, the mine was the leading producer of gold in the state. In 1909, the largest mine was closed and the company’s equipment was sold. The town was fully abandoned in 1914. The area experienced a small revival in the 1930s due to more gold sightings, led primarily by the Caliente Cyaniding Company, but was again eventually abandoned.

Citation:

Wikipedia, June 16, 2023. (Delamar, town established in the Monkey Wrench mining district; town nicknamed “The Widow Maker” due to fatal silicosis from silica dust)

Western Mining History, via WWW. (1897 town had 3000 occupants, included a theater, school, multiple stores; 1900 fire nearly destroyed town, rebuilding never fully finished; 1902 400 ton mill built; 1906 town was the third richest district; 1909 town abandoned, mine closed and equipment sold; 1932 Delamar brief revival, eventually abandoned again, produced over $25 million in gold, leading producer of gold in the state)

Library of Congress Chronicling America, via WWW (1902 new owners W.S. Godbe and Simon Bamberger renamed company to Bamberger DeLamar Mining Company, introduced wet milling and built 400 ton mill; 1937 Caliente Cyaniding Company installed equipment at Delamar)

Milford Wilkinson Letter and Map, 1950 pg. 1-2 (First separation approach involved use of chlorination; 1895 this process substituted for a cyaniding process; dry milling process used initially)

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