The Story of Candelaria
Candelaria
c1930's
No Photoshop? No Problem! Someone (Hugh Shamberger?) wanted a panorama of Candelaria to help tell its story. So, he taped two photographs together and made his own! And from there we will learn the story of Candelaria!
The story of Candelaria begins in 1879 when the town was platted. However, a lack of water and a lack of mills played havoc with any real growth. Still, but the middle of 1880 the area had grown from 10 to 15 house to 50 or 60 houses. It was going to be a real “Banger” as the local newspaper prophesied. (Warning: It is reckless to take the word of any local paper talking about their mining camp!)
But Thompson and West in their 1881 “History of Nevada” confirm that the town had grown to 900 residents. The “Sutro Independent” reported that Candelaria was beginning to look like the early days of Sacramento.”
A truer account probably was given by the “Mining and Scientific Press” when they called Candelaria the roughest and most uncomfortable mining camp in Nevada. The went on to say that the town was already feeling the first depression. There were too many unemployed miners and penniless men. That was mainly due to the lack of water and mills. Bellville grew up a little distance away and was the milling site. Still most mines were simply claimed and exploration work was done since there were too many problems to overcome.
Where was the water? Where were the mills? Where was the transportation?
1882 answered all of these prayers. Water arrived in the town from the Pinschower Creek pipeline. Mills now could be built at Candelaria. The Carson & Colorado Railroad also arrived that year. The town immediately grew 1500 residents.
Yes, there should have been much rejoicing. Still according Shamberger and Couch & Carpenter the amount of ore process was better through 1889, but not earth shattering.
By 1900 there were only 160 residents. When the post office closed in 1939 there were only 16 people still living in Candelaria.
1. “The Story of Candelaria and its Neighbors: Columbus, Metallic City, Belleville, Marietta, Sodaville, and Coaldale” by Shamberger
But Thompson and West in their 1881 “History of Nevada” confirm that the town had grown to 900 residents. The “Sutro Independent” reported that Candelaria was beginning to look like the early days of Sacramento.”
A truer account probably was given by the “Mining and Scientific Press” when they called Candelaria the roughest and most uncomfortable mining camp in Nevada. The went on to say that the town was already feeling the first depression. There were too many unemployed miners and penniless men. That was mainly due to the lack of water and mills. Bellville grew up a little distance away and was the milling site. Still most mines were simply claimed and exploration work was done since there were too many problems to overcome.
Where was the water? Where were the mills? Where was the transportation?
1882 answered all of these prayers. Water arrived in the town from the Pinschower Creek pipeline. Mills now could be built at Candelaria. The Carson & Colorado Railroad also arrived that year. The town immediately grew 1500 residents.
Yes, there should have been much rejoicing. Still according Shamberger and Couch & Carpenter the amount of ore process was better through 1889, but not earth shattering.
By 1900 there were only 160 residents. When the post office closed in 1939 there were only 16 people still living in Candelaria.
1. “The Story of Candelaria and its Neighbors: Columbus, Metallic City, Belleville, Marietta, Sodaville, and Coaldale” by Shamberger