Ever since I was a child I’ve been interested in gold mines. Not just gold mines, but the culture surrounding them. The history, the people, the towns.
As such, I’m a sucker for a gold mine tour. No matter how many times I’ve gone deep into a dark mountain cave, I want to go again.
Here are a three of my favorite gold mine tours and towns I’ve visited.
1. Barkerville, BC, Canada
I visited here when I was quite young and what has always stood out to me was the man known as the Hanging Judge. Creepy! When you’re a kid and your imagination can picture the man sitting behind the bench. I also panned for gold—still have my little container! And ate fudge. I’m sure other fun things happened, but these are the strongest in my mind.
Although gold rush towns boomed all over the west in the 1800s, Barkerville is unique, with over 100 heritage structures still standing on the spot that they were built. In addition, there are two historic cemeteries and 187 000 precious objects and photographs in the museum collection.
2. Rossland, BC, Canada
To me, this was the ultimate in gold mine tours. From the stalactites to the drills and the time clock, you could imagine working in the damp darkness. Unfortunately, a few years ago they closed down the tour due to straggling teens who got left behind (!) and caused the museum to reconsider liability issues.
Still, the museum is top-notch. (Though the website is outdated as of this writing.) There are outside displays for the larger mining equipment, as well as a rock specimen display, complete with glow-in-the-dark rocks. What I like most about the museum is that it includes the life of the townspeople through displays showing their education, stores, post office, etc.
If you are traveling in BC, make sure this stop is on your list.
3. Bisbee, AZ
Okay, this one is primarily a copper mine. But you get to ride the little train through the mine! Dressed in hard hats and bright yellow slickers, you even get your own light. The town itself boasts a haunted hotel.
Do you have a favorite gold mine town? Have you ever taken a tour?
As a lover of history, those sound like awesome tours to take. My favorite ride at Kennywood in Pittsburgh was always The Gold Rusher, set inside a darkened, haunted mine. I was so upset when I found out it was closed a number of years back.
The Gold Rusher sounds fantastic. Too bad it closed.