1800's Stamp Mill
Used to crush mineral-bearing rock. The rock was crushed by the four white structures jumping up and down then hauled by wagon to be refined.Power to activate ...
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Used to crush mineral-bearing rock. The rock was crushed by the four white structures jumping up and down then hauled by wagon to be refined.Power to activate the crushers came from a steam engine whose belt was attached around the large wheel at the lower right.
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May, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken at the Superstition Mountain museum five or six miles from Apache Junction, Arizona. AJ is about 30 miles east of Phoenix.Time
Probably the middle of the afternoon.Lighting
No. Typical Arizona day, bright and hot.Equipment
Canon Ti3 with an 18-55mm lens.Inspiration
While Hollywood depicts the West as badguys shooting each other, robbers holding up stage coaches, the real West was comprised of people trying to make a life for themselves. Throughout the West, mining was carried on for gold and silver. Gold found in streams was panned. In hard surfaces, laborers of all nationalities used picks and shovels to creat Glory Holes. Others drove tunnels deep inside mountains. The stamp mills, generally powered by water or steam engines, made processing the gold in hard rock into nuggets and bars easier. The mills while new to the West had been used for centuries. This old 20 stamp mill was brought from Bland NX. Volunteers camped and worked for thirty days to bring it to Arizona and yes, it works. Who could not collect a photo so rich in history.Editing
Little. Just enough to bring out its personality.In my camera bag
At that time a CanonTi3 and 18-55mm Canon lens.Lots of upgrade since then.Feedback
Read and research local history. Talk to local 'old' residents. For example, while photographing around Tombstone, Ariz. we got a tip from an old guy that turned out to be the highlight on the journey. So, get off the beaten path. You'll never know what's around the corner.
