Humbug! The Historical Archaeology of Placer Mining on Humbug Creek in Central Arizona

In June 1986 the Bureau of Reclamation awarded Dames & Moore a contract for historical archaeological studies as part of the mitigation program for the Regulatory Storage Division (Plan 6) of the Central Arizona Project. While investigating dam construction camps along the Agua Fria River near Lake Pleasant, we discovered remnants of a late nineteenth century hydraulic mining complex along Humbug Creek. The southern portion of this complex is within the flood pool of the New Waddell Dam. This study focuses on the historical and archaeological evidence of the Yavapai Mining and Irrigation Company's operations along Humbug Creek in 1890-1891 and the circa 1915-1915 mining by the New State Hydraulic Company. Chapter 1 describes the project location, general research goals, and research methods. Chapter 2 discusses the technology and financing of gold placer mining in the American West. Chapter 3 presents results of the historical research. Chapter 4 details the archaeological evidence of the 1890s hydraulic mining operations including Camp Hattersley, the two dams, the ditch and tunnel system, a lime kiln, and several small camps along·Humbug Creek. The archaeological evidence of the more modest 1912-1915 mining operation is also described. Chapter 5 discusses other business ventures pursued by Daniel Keating and evaluates his entrepreneurial career within the historical context of the period.