French Henry mine

The French Henry mine is a gold and silver mine located on Baldy Mountain (Colfax County, New Mexico).[1] The mine was in operation intermittently from 1870 to 1937. Part of the Baldy Mining District, the mine has changed ownership many times[2] and is now owned by the Boy Scouts of America as a part of Philmont Scout Ranch.[3] The French Henry is no longer operational.

French Henry mine
Location
French Henry mine
LocationCimarron
StateNew Mexico
CountryUnited States
Coordinates36°38′24.5″N 105°11′29.5″W
History
Discovered1869
Opened1870
Closed1937
Owner
CompanyBoy Scouts of America

History

The French Henry mine was originally discovered in 1869 by a team led by Henry Buruel.[4] Mining operations were started in 1870 although they were stopped later that same year due to a lack of ability to process the ore.[4] In 1894 mining started again, this time under the Claude Mining and Milling company.[4] The new owners installed a 15 stamp Stamp mill along the South Ponil River with a 2700 foot Aerial tramway running down the French Henry ridge.[1][4]

The mine was acquired in 1963 by the Boy Scouts of America.[3]

Modern Use

The French Henry is now owned by Philmont Scout Ranch.[3] The mine is no longer operational.

Mill Site
French Henry mill ruins

The site of the mill(located at 36°38′09.5″N 105°11′05.1″W), down the ridge from the mine, is used as a Living history camp for Philmont's summer program.[5] The mill site has three standing log cabins, two were built while the mine was operational and one was added by Philmont. The oldest building now serves as a mining history museum while the other two buildings are used as living quarters for the summer program staff. Small amounts of gold can still be found in the South Ponil River at this site.

Mine
Plaque near the entrance of the French Henry mine
Collapsed cabin at the French Henry mine.

The actual mine is abandoned and access is restricted from both the public, and Philmont participants. A cabin at the mine is almost completely collapsed.

References
  1. "The ore deposits of New Mexico" (PDF). USGS: 99. 1910. doi:10.3133/pp68.
  2. Pettit, R.F. (1966). "History of mining in Colfax County, New Mexico" (PDF). New Mexico Geological Society 17th Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook: 72.
  3. "Philmont Scout Ranch a major economic, social player in northern New Mexico - Albuquerque Journal". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  4. Murphy, Lawrence R. (1965). "Boom and Bust on Baldy Mountain, New Mexico, 1864-1942". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. "Staff Camps". Philmont Scout Ranch. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
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