The first discovery of gold was made by finding free gold after heavy rains in the road bed crossing an outcrop.

The piece of land (100 acres), containing this outcrop was bought by a local man, who started sinking on what is now known as No. 1 shaft to a depth of 60 feet.

He later sold to an English corporation, who at once started extensive development, erected a ten-stamp mill and in this way worked the property for about three years, during which time they expended about $75,000 in development, extracted 15,267 tons of ore, which produced 10,943 ounces of gold, having a value of $86,519.00.

Their ten-stamp mill was then enlarged to thirty stamps, and their mining plant extended in keeping therewith, during the next three years they expended about $55,000 on development, extracted 41,518 tons of ore, which produced 10,943 ounces of gold, having a value of $202,782.00, or a total value recovered during six years' development of $289,301.00.