Kentucky Camp             
Hydraulic Monitor Recovered!
By Mark Doumas

In mid-May 2012, I received a phone mail message from an eastside Tucson resident that wanted to return some "mining equipment" that he had removed from the Kentucky Gulch/Boston Gulch area over 30 years ago. When I returned his call to get a better description and arrange a pick-up time, he kept referring to it as a "large nozzle". This seemed to be too good to be true.... I just assumed he had a piece of the riveted pipeline.

Our Forest Service liaison, Chris Schrager, and I arranged to meet the donor and pick up the equipment a few days later. When we arrived at the donor’s home, we were astounded to find all the parts for a complete hydraulic monitor.... even the bolts for putting it together!

We are now working on a plan for how to best display the monitor. The current thinking is that we’ll reassemble it on a small slab of concrete near the Gold Processing Building. Since the Gold Processing Building will become our museum and visitor center, keeping the monitor nearby seems to make sense. This is an incredible addition to the Kentucky Camp experience and will certainly help interpret the unique hydraulic gold mining history.

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Open House/Monitor Unveiling
 The Coronado National Forest (with the support of Friends of Kentucky Camp) invites you to venture out to the eastern slope of the Santa Rita Mountains to see the unveiling of a historic hydraulic monitor.

The event will take place at Kentucky Camp, a turn-of-the-century restored mining and ranching site in the Santa Rita Mountains north of Sonoita. The public is invited to attend on Saturday, November 10, 2012, between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The event is free.

On August 24, 1904, the Arizona Daily Star reported: "During the past few weeks, the rainfall has been sufficient to enable [the Santa Rita Water and Mining Co in Boston Gulch] to operate their [gold mining] placer plants. They employ three shifts so that work is never stopped. They work three giant nozzles, which throw the water 100 feet and tear up the ground with splendid results."

In early 2012, one of these hydraulic monitors was donated to Kentucky Camp. Volunteers with Friends of Kentucky Camp have been working with the Coronado National Forest to reassemble the monitor and provide for its permanent display at the historic Kentucky Camp site.

In addition to the unveiling, activities will include site tours and a special walking tour to nearby Boston Gulch where portions of the historic water system and hydraulic workings are still visible. The tours highlight the need for water in order to get the gold.

Friends of Kentucky Camp fundraising merchandise will also be available for sale.
Bring a picnic lunch -- grills are available.
And remember, don’t forget your hat, sunblock, and water!
Update: Be prepared for cooler weather this weekend at Kentucky Camp.

   Upon arrival of the monitor, Mark checks it out.

   The display is coming together! We can always count on Chris for support.

   The display is finished! October 27, 2012

   Old photo of a monitor in action; probably in California.
More info at FaceBook.
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