National Register of Historic Places

Great Sierra Mine Historic Site

Lee Vining, Tuolumne County, California
Listed
May 23, 1978
Type
District
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
78000382

About this property

The Great Sierra Mine Historic Site, also known as Dana Village, preserves the site of the largest mining operation in what would later become Yosemite National Park in California. The Great Sierra Mining Company established Dana Village as the support facility for the operations of the Sheepherder Lode, reputed for a rich silver vein. The mine was located on Tioga Hill on the crest and eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. The Sheepherder Lode was discovered in 1860, and rediscovered by shepherd Thomas Brusky Jr., who staked a number of claims in the area. In 1881 all of the claims were bought out by the Great Sierra Consolidated Silver Mining Company and established the company town of Dana. Due to the c. 11,000 feet (3,400 m) altitude the town was soon relocated to the bottom of the hill at Bennettville. After an adit was driven 1784 feet into the side of the hill at an expenditure of $300,000, operations were closed down in 1884. They resumed with modern equipment in 1933, but did not find the Sheepherder Lode, and operations ceased for good. Today, five stone cabins, a powder house and a blacksmith shop remain. The shafts have collapsed or have been filled in. National Register of Historic Places listings in Tuolumne County, California Media related to Great Sierra Mine Historic Site at Wikimedia Commons

Location

Lee Vining, Tuolumne County, California
37.92750, -119.26913

Categories

INDUSTRYARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Nearby Historic Sites

Tioga Pass Entrance Station
Industrial
1.3 mi
Tuolumne Meadows Ranger Stations and Comfort Stations
Industrial
6 mi
Soda Springs Cabin
Industrial
6.3 mi
Parsons Memorial Lodge
Industrial
6.3 mi
McCauley Cabin
Industrial
6.4 mi

Questions about this property

When was Great Sierra Mine Historic Site listed on the National Register?

Great Sierra Mine Historic Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 23, 1978.

What type of historic resource is Great Sierra Mine Historic Site?

Great Sierra Mine Historic Site is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Great Sierra Mine Historic Site?

The period of significance for Great Sierra Mine Historic Site is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Great Sierra Mine Historic Site?

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