Today we’re looking at remains of a silver, lead, zinc and gold mine on a rocky shelf almost at water level. While worked for decades, overall production in terms of volume were quite modest, but the ore nice and rich. This is Molly Hughes by the lake and we’re happy to show you around. We’ll chat a bit about history and drone on about other things (most likely).
Commercial mining in the Silvery Slocan of BC began early in the 1890s and in no time, the hills around were a beehive of activity. In every valley, high up precipitous peaks or way down by Slocan Lake, they came and many people made rich in the process. As a prolific mining district the party lasted many a night and only started trailing off after the 1920s.
Molly Hughes by the Lake (Ag-Pb-Zn-Au): a metal’s mine in a scenic setting. With Chris Doering & Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd).
Let’s thank “Dale” for helping make this and other posts at BIGDoer.com possible. Be like Dale…
Still, mining in the region continued into modern times and even today, there’s some taking place. Deposits of rich metallic minerals gave rise to many millionaires and a mine in the Slocan often came with license to print money. We’re not sure if those who ran the Molly Hughes became wealthy in any way, but given the lengthy time it operated suggests some money came of it.
The Molly Hughes began in the late 1890s and mining continued for just over four decades. Work was sporadic for the most part, with the most productive years, in terms of materials extracted, happening around 1910, the late 1920s and right at the end. Even then most years production could be counted in the tens of tonnes and rarely did it go triple digit. Some years it amounted to almost nothing or something close.
From a total of just over twenty five hundred tonnes extracted, came almost nine million five hundred thousand grams of silver, over twenty five thousand grams of gold, some eighteen thousand kilos of lead and a similar amount of zinc. In 2024 prices that would be worth almost a third of a billion dollars (Cad) and that’s nothing to balk at.
On the periodic tables silver – au, lead – pb, zinc – zn and finally gold – au.
Most of the value here came thanks to the silver component but recall this is the Silvery Slocan where it’s often unusually high in that regard. Early on only the Gold and Silver got recovered at the Molly Hughes and it wasn’t until later before they bothered with the rest. Lead and zinc were of lower value and a commodity metal where as the rest were worth much more per unit.
As is common in metallic mines, there’s a mix of ores with the dominate types here being galena (a lead ore that often contains silver – sometimes lots of silver), sphalerite (zinc) and pyrite (gold). Some copper ore is said to be present and together this is a pretty typical mix for mines in the Slocan.
After closing some sporadic mining is said to have been done by lessors but records are rather silent on how much ore they removed.
There were a number of workings on this property including a couple adits, shafts, open pits and trenches. Most were higher up the hill and the tunnel seen here is the newest on the property (sometime 1920s suggested). They used it to intercept an ore body in line with one worked higher up. This entry is still open and as is commonly seen, water flows from underground. A cool and refreshing breeze also exits. Some mine rails remain in place and loose pieces are stacked nearby.
The workings at this level comprise hundreds of metres of tunnels, a crosscut to the reach the ore and drifts heading off at right angles to exploit it. Stoping is mentioned and that’s where the orebody was so broad that mining leaves behind large rooms or voids.
We’re not sure the status of the upper workings, but there are houses up that way now, so there might be no evidence of them today. It would appear on maps that some might be close to a few back yards. We might have to knock on doors next time we’re in the area and check into it.
In more recent times a mining firm came in and re-examined the property, but nothing came it.
The lake-side shelf seen was the location of various mine structures housing machinery and the like. Old maps show a compressor building and what appears to be one for processing ore. A lot was going on (an old photo helps here) and to fit everything they had to extend the shelf out into the lake, via rock-filled cribbing. Its possible they used waste material from the mine for that purpose.
This made-made extension is gone and shows no real evidence of being here, but it does explain why the mine rails extend out past the shelf and dip into the lake.
Concrete pads mark the location of heavy machinery.
It would appear, again using the 1920s photo as reference, that ore got shipped out by lake boat, but mine records mention they used the railway, which was conveniently located just above the lake workings. Interestingly, trains through here also partly travelled by water along their journey back from where they came. On account of rugged terrain, this region had many rail barges and these were interesting operations (for example: Rosebery BC Then & Now).
Either way, shipping was no challenge and since the material got consigned to the nearby smelter in Trail BC, it didn’t have far to travel. That plant is still in business and quite the sight to see.
The old photo used to help compile this piece interestingly shows water levels as quite a bit lower than on our visit. It does appears they are prone to fluctuate and often by many metres. By the way, we did not know of that image when we originally visited the Molly Hughes and it only came to light during research. We know what you’re thinking – there’s a missed Then & Now opportunity! If we go back and we feel there’s some unfinished business in the area, we’ll work to make it happen.
We’re not sure who Molly Hughes was but maybe they were someone important to a person at the mine or maybe it’s just a made up name? Your guess is as good as ours.
There’s a cabin not far away but it’s unclear if it’s associated with the mine or from later. Still, a sign on the side reads: “Enjoy the view, respect the cabin – signed the Molly Hughes Mine 1892” (sic). It’s partly on stilts, thanks to the steep hillside and boarded up. It also appears to be maintained so it’s not in bad shape, at least exterior wise. The views out over the lake from the deck are exceptional.
We found the odd rock wall exploring the area above these workings and a number of drill holes were spotted as well. I’m sure there’s stuff we missed too but that’s how it goes.
On the hike back we’re presented with one final view of Slocan Lake (it’s huge, about 40km long, a couple wide and quite deep) and it’s stellar. This is a most satisfying end to the adventure and that we like. Let’s see – an historic mine, inspiring BC scenery, a nice hike in and together that makes us happy campers.
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Date of Adventure: May, 2023. Location(s): Silvery Slocan, BC. Article references and thanks: BC Ministry of Mines and Dale for being such a kind host.
**Beer Parlour Fridays!** Here's the bar staff at the Grand/Ben Franklin Hotel in Rimbey, Alberta, in a late 1940s or early 1950s photo. The same cooler door can be seen in our 2024 image. Not much has changed here at the Grand and many original beer parlour tables from the early days are still in use at the bar.
This photo is on display there and while several people have been identified over the years, the rest remain a mystery. Note the sign, "No case sales after 9:55 p.m."
The Camrest Motel, Camrose Alberta. It was spotted while scouting out the hotel next door for the Beer Parlour Project. Based on the exchange we're not yet sure our entourage will be heading to this town soon, but the list of places we'll be visiting is growing daily. The Beer Parlour Project is becoming a monster and it's a thrill ride! _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
**Beer Parlour Fridays!** the Champion Hotel tavern had been closed for a while when this photo from 2020 was captured (no rooms rented either). There was still a restaurant inside, but it seemed to have a lack of business due to the pandemic. This was early in the planning stages of the Beer Parlour Project and we hoped to include it in the "closed hotels" section, but the owners said no.
The building was being worked on last we heard, but we've not had any updates. Does anyone local care to chime in?
(Reposted) 9:31 pm in Burstall Saskatchewan from last summer. That's the town's former train station, down here at the sports fields. An auto club was having a big party in that tent back there and earlier invited us. What a surprise when the building came into view and we didn't know about it before. But then again we're pretty oblivious to a lot of things.😜
The building is from the 1920s and only survives because it was moved here.
Like what you see and want more? Make some NOISE! 👇 _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The Dvorak Family Plot in Morrissey BC. The bicycle belonged to Frank (1906-1990) and his as a kid. A plaque reads: "After being stored since 1929(?) the bike was reunited with its owner Frank Dvorak in 2018(?) by the Dvorak Family" (dates were hard to read).
Over the summer the Beer Parlour Project visited SE Saskatchewan. Every night we'd visit a hotel to document the buildings and people, then every day, we'd roam the countryside looking for places like this...
No sleep - go - go -go and it was heaven.
Like what you see and want more? Make some NOISE! 👇 _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Connie.
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