(Tumco CA)
Previously named Hedges, Tumco Historic Townsite (an acronym of The United Mines Company), was a gold mining operation in the desert. It was located on Ogilby Rd, just a few miles north of the popular boondocking BLM area near American Girl Mine Rd.
Tumco Townsite Ruins
There’s not much left of the ghost town; a well hole, graveyard, crumbling walls and foundations, and rusting leaching vats. Situated in the Cargo Muchacho Mountains; so named for a couple of Mexican boys that hiked out of the mountains carrying pockets stuffed with gold nuggets.
Old water well
Rusted leaching vats
Gold mining was started by the natives, and continued by early Spanish settlers, and American prospectors. Silver and copper were also mined in the area. Now, it is mostly a stop for sightseers and campers at the adjacent BLM lands.
Tumco Protestant Graveyard
Evening light on Cargo Muchacho Mountains
I stayed for a few days, and was surprised with a visit by Marianne and Randy of the Frugal RV Travel blog. They were the first RVers I met on the road after getting my rig. The weather was sunny and very warm, and there was a good internet signal.
Camp: Tumco Site BLM boondock
Scene: Mountains, desert, ghost town
The area looks desolate to me, and I can’t imagine living there, but maybe that’s because I’m an “Eastern girl” at heart and would miss my trees and grass. If the western drought lasts much longer I’m going to missing trees and grass anyway!
Well, no one lives there now; it’s a ghost town. But, it was a very difficult place to live in it’s day.
Nice post. Sounds like an interesting place to spend a day. Sure beats here in central Ohio. We just had a whiteout! Love the evening shot on the mountains!
Thanks for the comment and the mention on the mountain pix.
Great photos. It was also very nice to spend some time together. Hope our paths will cross again.
Thanks M&R. I too hope we can meet down the road.