Adventures in California History

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The Hogsback Mine near Foresthill

Photo: Placer County Museums

The Hogsback Mine on the Foresthill Divide was owned by the French “Compagnie des Mines d'Or du Forest Hill Divide," with headquarters, Paris, France. The following is from the Placer County Historical Society, “the regular force of men employed consists of 15 miners working 8 hours per day; 2 engineers, working 12 hours per day; 2 drivers, working 12 hours per day; two blacksmiths, working 10 hours per day; one timberman, working 10 hours per day, divided into three shifts, and working two 3 ½ -inch Ingersoll Eclipse drills on columns”.

This mine commenced work on April, 28th, 1888. here we read more from the Placer County Historical Society paper, “PROGRESS FOR A WFEK 48.7 FEET. 12 men, 7 days (84 days), at $3 $252.00 3 men, 7 days (21 days). at $3.25 68.25 1 man, 7 days (7 days), at $3.50 24.50 114 lbs. safety niter powder No. 2, at 13c. per lb. 20 52 350 feet triple taped fuse, at 72 c. per 100 feet 2 52 50 lbs. chemical wax candles, 14 oz , at 13c. per lb 6 62 2 boxes XXX blasting caps, at 80c. per box 1.60 224 feet lumber, at $22.50 per M 5.04 1040 lbs. steel rails (16 lb) (195 ft.) at 4c. per lb.. 41.80 Bolts and fish-plates, at 50e, per pair 4.00 Car oil .15 40 bushels charcoal, at 20e. per bushel 8.00 Wear and tear, etc 1.00 Total cost $435.80 Cost per foot $8.94 Not a timber was used in this ground, and it is still standing without any.”

Google Earth view of the mine and surrounding topography.