For more information, visit the Almaden Quicksilver County Park website or call the park office at 408-268-3883 or the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum at408-323-1107. The Park is located in the 447 square kilometer watershed of the Guadalupe River, which drains the south central portion of the Santa Clara Valley into South San Francisco Bay via Alviso Slough. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Preservation Action Council of San Jose (see historic inventory, Almaden Avenue, S. ) Under his able direction, the mine boomed; New Almaden produced more quicksilver in 1865 than the fabled Almaden in Spain, the world's greatest mercury mine. After the turn of the 20th century, the mines and surrounding property changed hands many times as the population dwindled. When New Almaden resident Richard Bertram Barrett was 13 years old in 1898, his left arm was shot off in a hunting accident. Mercury, also known as quicksilver, was produced at the New Almaden mines beginning in 1846, making it California’s first mining operation. Quicksilver: The Complete History of Santa Clara County's New Almaden Mine [Schneider, Jimmie] on Amazon.com. During the next 15 years, the campus around the mines grew to three different camps comprised of 700 buildings that housed 1,800 residents. Virtual Tour of Quicksilver History Loop. The information and pictures below are out of date. Its grounds include the Guadalupe Reservoir and features sweeping views of San Jose. Almaden Quicksilver County Park Links More Almaden Quicksilver Park Info. This video is unavailable. The New Almaden Mine produced mercury beginning in 1845, making it California’s oldest mining operation. The county parks director envisioned a historic park where visitors could experience the mining past and also enjoy the biodiversity of the natural setting. The park's New Almaden Mines were in operation from 1847 to 1976. Almaden Quicksilver occupies the site of the first mining enterprise in California (check out the historical marker across the street from the Hacienda Trailhead entrance). David Crimp, Leda Patmore, C. Michael Hogan, Harry Seidman and Vivian Paparigian, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department, Casa Grande Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, Almaden Quicksilver County Park Official Website, Geocities userpage with park history and many pictures, Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Almaden_Quicksilver_County_Park&oldid=995637090, County Parks in Santa Clara County, California, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, biological impacts upon habitat by park users, water quality impacts to creeks draining the watershed, visual and drainage impacts of road improvements, This page was last edited on 22 December 2020, at 02:43. Laborfest Tribute to the Museum and Park staff at New Almaden Quicksilver Mine site in Santa Clara County, California. The area was mined until 1976, when the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors purchased the property for a County Park, saving it from development. Relics of the mine still stand at the park. Almadén (Spanish pronunciation: ) is a town and municipality in the Spanish province of Ciudad Real, within the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha.The town is located at 4° 49' W and 38° 46' N and is 589 meters above sea level. Packing a hunting gun was common in … Mining operations in New Almaden first began in 1845 under the claim of Mexican Cavalry Officer Captain Andres Castillero. With more than 4,000 acres, the park attracts hikers and outdoor lovers of all kinds. The towering Sierra Azul range is to the west, with some 14,000 acres of parkland in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve . 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