Star Mine Ruins (Hecla) at Burke, an Idaho Ghost Town - near Wallace, Idaho
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- čas přidán 16. 11. 2016
- Star Mine Ruins (Hecla) at Burke, an Idaho Ghost Town - near Wallace, Idaho.
Silver, lead and zinc were the precious metals extracted from the Star mine, owned by the Hecla Mining Company. The mine opened in the 1890’s but fire destroyed all above-ground structures in 1923. The brick and concrete structures you see today were built in the 1920’s after the devastating fire.
The 8,100 foot deep Star Mine was the deepest mine in North America. It closed in 1982 but saw brief activity in the 1990’s. In 2011 Hecla Mining Company studied re-opening the mine due to rising silver prices.
This video is dedicated to the memory of my good friend Ted Sproles who passed away unexpectedly in February, 2016. Ted asked me to shoot these scenes for his CZcams channel / auggiedogproduction Ted, may you smile on us through your viewfinder in heaven!
This sequence was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Drone and edited with Adobe Premier Pro.
Music is “"March of the Mind" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
I worked at the star from 73 to 82. Bill Anderson was the mine super and Ray Kaniguard was the mine foreman. I started on 7500 as a days pay hand, then went to track repair with Herb Sheeley. For the last 5 years there I operated the Main Line Diesel Locomotive with John Truen, Roger Hoven and Bruce Vanbrooke. I left the area in 83. This is the first time I have seen the Star since then and I have to say it is heart breaking to see it in such ruin. The mine was working on level 8300 when they closed her down. The deepest mine in the U.S.
Derek, thanks so much for your "first person" comments. Yes, it is hard to see ruins of something so dear and close to you. Miners put their heart and souls into their work to feed their families. I have tremendous amount of respect for those who work underground. I guess this is why I capture so many mining ghost towns; as a tribute to those who supplied metals that grew our economy. Thanks again for your comments, although it was heartbreaking for you to view this video. Just remember all the good times after a hard days work. Dave in western Montana.
Hey this is a longshot and I dont know if you are active, but I am doing some research on a horror novel that I would love to base on this location. I would love to get your experiences of working in the mine and what it looked like deep down.
Sorry for the delay in my response. I found working in the mine was not much different than working in a warehouse at night. The walls of the drifts are solid quartz. with lead, zinc and silver mixed in, so no chance of cave-ins, like you would see on the old westerns. 1 Man was killed in the 10 years I worked there, from an air blast. That's when the pressure on the rock becomes so high at the point of drilling, that the rock face just explodes. They had geo sensors through out the mine to detect these anomalies, but they missed this one. So, no ghosts. Just a great place to work.
@@Xenomorphism this place is creepy
Fantastic vid, I used to spend a lot of time in that area in the 80's. Incredible history above and underneath those mountains.
It's been a few years for me now, around 1980-81 but i did visit the area of Wallace, Kellogg and other little towns ... Very nice old history over there in that part of the country i really enjoyed it.. Did get to go visit two old ghost towns and both were over 5,000' i remember, did this on horse back .. One even had a dance hall that still stood..
You did a great job from the air , i really like that what a excellent way to put the ghost town together, from the air.. That's what i call photography...
Norman, many thanks again for your comments. It is always fun to get out and explore, capture, edit and share. I normally like to capture ghost towns with tripod shots intermixed with aerial views. This video was all aerial since the mine was in a restricted area. I tend to use music instead of narration to enhance the viewers experience. So much information is available on the internet nowadays that people can research a site online for the details. Thanks again for watching and commenting on my videos. I do appreciate it. Dave.
Yes this is what drones are so good for and you can film so much in such a short time and you can still do tripod shots from it as well without having to move around.
@@davidegg22 View from the air is pretty neat and adds a whole new perspective to it !!
Awhile back a couple old timers did several ghost towns which was the first time I see that done , it was impressive!
I want to explore all of these places so badly!
Too many fun places to see, so little time! Just keep plugging away on your bucket list! Dave.
I remember stopping here 4 years ago with 3 friends on a 10,000 miles road trip across the states in 3 weeks. This place stuck with me. We only explored, im against stealing or destroying whats not mine. Thanks for the video sir.
Grant, thanks for posting your comment. That must have been a great trip, especially with friends. So much to see and do in only 3 weeks time! Those trips are what memories are made of! Thanks again! Dave in Montana.
@@davidegg22 thanks for the response Sir. Your Absolutely right, it was something i will never forget. Grant from Napa,ca
Great music. "March of the Mind" So scary, creepy, and cool. I love the intrusive discordant notes - the Devil's cord in effect.
Thanks for commenting David. I felt the music helped set the scene, so to say. Thanks again. Dave.
My grandfather Robert Talley worked many years in the Star Silver mine after returning from the war in Korea. He was an incredible man. I think I'll go back into Burke before long and visit some sites I saw as a child
Great! Thanks for sharing some of your family history. After you return please comment on what you see/remember as a kid. That would be interesting. Dave in western Montana.
There a substation a few miles past the mine, rumors are there are military bunkers underneath it?
Have lingered in Wallace and Burke many times. Drove back road from Murray. Such fascinating history! Very interesting music on this video. Seems to catch the mood nicely.
Thanks! The road from Murry to Burke is a slow cruise but nice in the summertime. The area is full of history if one spends the time to look for it. Thanks again. Dave in western Mt.
Just Perfect, I worked there in 91 as the Star-Phoenix mine.
Thanks for your comment and adding a personal touch to this video. Dave.
I wish you would have taken pictures underground there. I would love to see that. I have alot respect for you miners! It's becoming a lost art form the work you guys did
@@CHESTURCH The Galena and the Lucky Friday are still running up there, and the Bunker Hill and the Sunshine are both "zombie" mines - not shipping ore, but far from dead. We've also got a few guys down here in NM who mine the old way. I'm proud to play a part in that.
Another great video. Beautiful. Blessings
Many thanks! Dave.
Another master piece by the master.
You are too kind! It was a great day capturing this video with Ted. We were standing in the shadows by the corner of the largest concrete building. Thanks again! Dave.
Thanks for sharing your story and time with Ted. I still miss him.
Great vedio and comments especially by @MollydogRadar. I plan on visiting Burke the next time I'm in Wallace.. Great pictures of Burke back in the day in RAILROADS THROUGH THE COEUR d'ALENES, By John V. Wood
Sounds great! I will be exploring this area again next week. Thanks for watching and commenting. Dave in western Montana.
Thanks for the great video, very nice. A lot of mining history there.
Ron
Thanks! I was a bit nervous flying over this site because I knew recovery of my drone would be next to impossible if a problem arose (and the new drone was only 3 days old)! Dave.
I went up there last year and it still looked the exact same as this video. I haven't had a chance this year to make it up there but I would love to. Thanks for posting this video of this amazing ghost town. So many north idahoans don't even know it exists. By the way, I love the piano music
Awesome comment Tyler. Its always fun to explore and "discover" new places that, in some cases, are close to home! One doesn't need to travel thousands of miles to go exploring! Thanks again for viewing and for your comment. I appreciate it. Dave in Missoula.
I live about half an hour from here. It's all being torn down now😭.
@@user-vn9xe5gw8s Is it really?
@@davynczepkowski4103 Sadly, yes😢. We ride our side by sides through there on our way to Montana. Last fall half of it was already gone! Sad, I take tourists there all the time. Will be missed.
Love it
Awesome! Thanks for viewing and commenting. Dave.
I just flew my drone in that same spot. What a cool town, so much mine history there.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I just saw your video and it was great! Good music and edits. This was one of the first flights with this P3A so I was a bit cautious (I had a P1 w/GoPro before). Besides, the wind was howling down the canyon and I didn't want to scratch my new quad! Thanks again for viewing. I will sub your channel. Dave in Missoula.
Good call on being cautious with your drone, those shaft mines can have guide wires coming off the shaft towers that are hard to see with a drone. I worked as a mining electrician at the Lucky Friday mine in Wallace for a while then left do to a strike. Glad to be out but a part of me misses it. Keep up the good work with the videos I enjoy watching them. sup👍
my uncle Bill died there in 1952 ... 54TH ANNUAL REPORT MINING INDUSTRY OF IDAHO FOR 1952 I have read George Ringel's affidavit and I agree with his statement as to the manner in which the accident apparently occurred. John Sherwood. Before Maye Burnes, Notary for the State of Idaho at Osburn, March 28, 1952. [[ check this date ]] Bill Mayo, married, stope miner, age 30. Bill Mayo was contracting a shrinkage stope no. 32-34 on the 1700 level and had brought the stope from the sill up to the present point some 12 floors. On the day of the accident he and his partner were engaged in drilling the back, one working towards either end of the stope. About noon the deceased's partner could hear Mr. Mayo's machine running as if it had no steel in it. Although the deceased's partner was only fifty feet or so away, he could see no light, so went to investigate. Mr. Mayo was found practically covered by an immense slab of ore that had fallen from the back. Death was instantaneous, of course, as he was badly crushed. Although it is not customary to shrink at the Star mine, it is done in those areas where they consider the ground to be good enough to permit it. The ground in this stpe seemed to be in very good condition. In fact this cut was the first that had been taken for a considerable time as the men had running a raise to the next level. In spite of this fact there were no signs where any pieces of the back had been dislodged in drilling, and the entire slope was at the end of the stope, next to the raise and measured 6x4x2 feet He was drilling the tenth hole in the slab when it let loose. This is indeed an unusual case of sloughing. It can be explained by the fact that a small slip encircled at least half of the perimeter of the slab. Lossened by the drilling, it finally gave way, and in all probability, without any warning Mr. Mayo was an experienced miner, had inspected the back very carefully before commencing to drill it, but due to the unusual formation, everything seemed safe. He had helped his partner rem ove a stuck steel just five minutes before it happened. Ted Bush, Deputy Inspector of Mines STATEMENT: Bill mayo and myself were working in the 32-34 stope above 1700 level drilling the back in the shrinkage stope. I was working near 34 raise and Bill Mayo was working near 32 raise, both drilling. I was about 50 feet from Bill. I was attracted by Bill's machine running wild and when I looked over there I could see no light. I went over to his place of work and could not see him but saw a large slab of ore about three feet thick and six feet by eight feet the other way. I looked under the slab and could see part of Bill's back and his hand under it. I immediately put lagging under the slab and wedged it to take the weight from him as much as possible and ran to the station and called the 4000 level for help. I got Andy Kannegaard on the telephone and told him to send a basket to 32 raise. I then went back into the stope and began putting more blocking under the slab to get Bill out from under it. Andy Kannegaard and Bob Russell came with the stretcher and helped to remove the body from under the slab. The bak had previously been tested to see if it was safe and Bill apparently was drilling the last of six holes which remained to be drilled in the slab when the accident occurred THOMAS C. MCEVOY BURKE, IDAHO June 12, 1952 STATEMENT: Tom McEvoy called the 4000 station about 12:00 o'clock and asked for a basket at 32 raise on the 1450 level. Bob Russell and myself took the basket up to the level, along with Jesse Taylor. I went with Jesse Taylor to 32 raise with the basket. Russell waited at the 1450 shaft station for Jim Couper, another cager. Taylor and I put the basket in the can at 32 raise and I followed the basket down the raise while Taylor ran the hoist. When I arrived at the scene of the accident, Tom Evoy was working on the slab and I helped him. Russell arrived shortly afterwards and also helped to raise the slab and dig under to free the body. The body was removed by about 1:30 pm and taken immediately to the 1450 level to pick up some men. ANDY KANNEGAARD STATEMENT: While in the 1450 no. 8-10 stope shortly after noon on June 12, the motorman on the 1450 level, Elmer Sunell, came to tell me that Bill Mayo had been injured in No. 32 raise. When I arrived at the No. 32-34 slope I found that a slab had fallen out of the back and had completely covered Bill Mayo. Tom McEvoy and Andy Kannegaard were trying to remove the slab. We sent for a track jack and when we finally were able to free Mayo from underneath the slab we found he was dead. The body was sent to the surface approximately 1:30 pm. The back had been tested that morning and nothing was warning while Mayo was drilling. RICHARD BRATTON STATEMENT: A call came in to the 4000 station for a basket at 32 raise on the 1450 level about 12:00 o'clock. Andy Dannegaard and I took the basket up to the station, along with Jesse Taylor. Taylor and Andy took the basket to the raise
Great history lesson! Thanks for the family tie to the mine. Tough times. I, and others, will enjoy the read. Thanks again! Dave.
Thank you for posting that. Reading that greatens the respect i have for the miners who dared to go underground in those days
I hate shrink stoping. Dangerous, expensive work - I'd much rather longhole it and muck out with a remote-control machine.
R.I.P Bill
Thanks for sharing 🙏
Beautifully shown, forgot you were flying.
Too funny (the flying part!) The craft was new (this video was captured Sept 2015) and it was windy, so no close-up shots taken. I see you have been flying a lot! Keep up the fine videos on your channel! I enjoy all of them! Dave.
davidegg22
Thank you, I enjoy the content on your channel as well.
You can count on me to leave funny comments or serious ones if need be.
Have a good weekend David
I didn't know it was completely abandoned now, there were still people there when I first mined north of Wallace on Eagle creek.
When did you mine eagle creek? I grew up hunting that area. We used to take murray peak around to the end of eagle creek down to tributary creek. Now they have east fork eagle creek all destroyed and impassible
Footage was wonderful but the story or information would be much more captivating!
Agreed, but more information is available on the internet than I could possibly fit within my videos. Besides, my narrating sucks! Trust me on this one! Thanks again for commenting! Dave.
So I happened upon this looking for Gem, Idaho. I traced my great grandfather to this area in Ancestry after he left his family in the Boston just before 1910. He was always a secret, the family just said he was dead until a cousin revealed the truth about 20 years ago. Amazed I found him. Was a miner in Gem, buried in Wallace. One of my bucket list items is to get out there and find his burial plot (on a mountain with other miners).
Kelsey, thanks for viewing and commenting. You may enjoy this video of Wallace: czcams.com/video/Zp4aIN_iMtw/video.html I also have a video of the Wallace cemetery (the older side) where your Grandfather may be buried. I have not posted this video on CZcams. Thanks again for sharing your connection with the area. Dave in western Montana.
Hi dave, this is probably a longshot but I am building a virtual tour of Burke, and was wondering if I was able to use some of the footage from the video?
Yes you may use some of this footage. Please give credit to this channel and post a link to your new video in these comments. Thanks for,asking. Dave.
@@davidegg22 is there an email that I could reach you at?
@@brendenhines503 I do not post my email address on CZcams comments but if you post your email address I will respond to you in email form. Thanks for asking. Dave.
Brenden Hines, Did you ever complete this virtual tour? I would love to see it and use it for a potential university project!
I have another question for you
People just get up and go like that and why don’t they stay in these towns. I sure they can make a go at it or bring it back to life. If people stayed there they could make it a different place and I am sure they can Farm and also have ranchers there I mean instead of pulling up stakes and fleeing because some company decided not to be there anymore couldn’t someone start another company or something
Thank You 🙏 Sincerely Running Bear 🐻 here on the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina on the Tennessee border of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park
Running Bear, thanks for your questions. Typically (at least in the west) these old mining companies extract the precious metals and then declare bankruptcy leaving a legacy of hazardous materials behind. The state (or the Federal government) steps in and spends millions of dollars to stabilize the sites. This is very costly proposition. If you are a miner and loose your job, you move to another location with active mines. Some areas around the west have been successful after mining operations (think Sun Valley, ID and other exclusive areas). Everyone needs to be responsible when working the land for any endeavor. New restrictive laws are created every year but 100-150 years ago it was quite a lawless west and taxpayers are still paying for the cleanup. Thanks again for asking! Dave.
I am writing a book about abandoned places in Idaho. Would it be possible to get your permission to include some drone screenshots of this video in the book? You would get credit for the photos.
Howard, thanks for asking for permission. You do have my permission to use any stills taken from this video. Please credit my CZcams channel. Many thanks for asking and please send me a link with the name of your new book. I appreciate it. Dave in Missoula.
@@davidegg22 Thank you! I really appreciate it. This is a long-term project so the book will probably not be published until 2024. You will get credit for the screenshots, and I will mail a copy of the book to you when it gets published.
@@howardfrisk5331Awesome, many thanks. I plan on returning to Burke this summer so additional aerial may be available. Dave.
Cool man, I don't think the roof worked though.
Thanks Ed! Once the roof goes, the building is bound to collapse. Thanks for watching!
Is hair the same as roofs? Once the hair goes there goes the body? :)