Wines Camp History

Our famous placer ground is 321 acres of private land that has history from the late 1860's. It was originally located in 1866 by Henry Wines. Our 330 acres has been a commercial operation since Henry was killed by his laborers in 1894.

Settling ponds still exist from the previous commercial venture that used a single bucket drag-line. The larger ponds were constructed to work the rest of the property with heavy equipment.

There are old sluice boxes, water shutes and other items around the property marking history. Included are remains of a 2nd old cabin as well.

During your visit, we tell in detail many documented stories from history dating back into the 1860's.

Our guided and outfitted gold mining trips are filled with much history about the property and many stories from the past 100 years. Since our trips are limited to 12 persons, we have the opportunity to share with everyone while touring the property many relics, mining evidence and stories from the past specific to what you see.

One very unique aspect of our property is it has always been held in private ownership since the homestead act of 1872 when deeded. Never has it been owned by a mining company. It is a pleasure and truly unique opportunity to be able to offer and share it with others who wish to enjoy the outdoors and mine for gold on the virgin ground remaining. Also while visiting,an true story is told about the earliest miner and how he was shot to death by one of his partners and his gold never found. After the old miners death, our property was worked by another private individual named Jones who worked it into the the 1920's. Jones died in the early 1930's.

In the 1950's there was a house built and lived in for the mining operations, but burned down in the late 50's. Another building still lays in a state of deteriation which may have been another cabin or work shed at one time since remains of a wood stove exist nearby. Through the 1950's and 60's the property was being worked commercially by two families who owned it, yet still only on a moderate scale.

Another CABIN was constructed in the 1960's, which we own and use today. In the 1980's the property again transferred ownership and a small 2 acre area commercially mined. This area had been worked at least 3 times previously, yet still produced many large nuggets over 1/2 oz. The settling ponds now existing were built over the top of 3 drag-line strips from that operation.

The miner who worked this period grew old and sold to yet another owner who did mostly testing. He verified sufficient gold values and invested better than $50,000 into dozer work and acquisition of the property. He was held up due to commitments on other properties and became financially stressed. He then sold to us.

An elderly lady neighbor who lives nearby still remembers when she was a child visiting the property when the sluice boxes were cleaned out. She remembers hands full of nuggets! This area she discribed to us hasn't been worked other than by us and our clients.

GATE: This water gate is hand made from timber on site. The gate and pond was used to store and control water running the hydraulic mining operations down the hill . This gate and pond are a short walk from the cabin.

LONGTOM: This old Longtom is a relic from the mid 1900's when a large volume of water was used to wash the hill side throught this structure and separate out the gold. This Longtom is a short walk from our cabin.

Come enjoy our Oregon Gold Trip and get away from the city life for a vacation you will never forget. Remember, we provide the meals, accommodations, heavy and light equipment, and if you put forth an honest effort you could easily return home with a very nice collection of gold. Make plans now for your trip. Once you have had the experience you will want to return each season. Re-live the old west, join us today. See the Trip Registration form for further information to book a trip.

FLUMES: These water flumes were used to direct water into the hydraulic pond. The hydraulic pond was used to store water for the mining operations.

BARREL: This barrel is a Trommel drum that was once turned on its axis while gravel and dirt with gold was processed throught it. The holes separated the larger material while a sluice box separated the heavy gold. Not shown is the sluice box once used.

This is the miner who worked the property at the turn of the century. This gentleman died in 1931.