Found something interesting on a prospectin trip...

[dhermann1]

This is straight out of an old cowboy movie. In fact, I'm certain that I recall Hopalong Cassidy having a major shootout with some desperados right in this little camp.

 

[1*Cool*Kitten]

Just out of morbid curiosity..........

This place wouldn't happen to have an old stone fireplace would it? with what looks like either a "swing arm" for the kettle or the pot or a hole where it once was does it? Fairly nice stone mantle?
JUST saying!!!

 

[FinalVestige79]

No swing arm on the fire place and no mantel either...it was just a plain fire stone masonry fireplace.

 

[Atterbury Dodd]

This is straight out of an old cowboy movie.

Or Treasure of Sierra Madre?

 

[Brooksie]

I was going to mention that this place kind of reminds me of the grouping of houses in the movie: There Will Be Blood.

Brooksie

 

[TM]

Nice cabin! Imagine all the work that went into making those rock walls.

I wish Mojave Jack were around to comment on this, he's really familiar with the high desert. But he hasn't posted in quite a while.

With a little research you should find a lot of information about the mine. Mine claims had to be registered, and mines were regulated. So probably the County Planning Department would have something. Also check the local historical society.

As far as buying it, you might be buying a very expensive hazardous waste problem. You mentioned you found cyanide. Cyanide and mercury were used in gold mining and that can contaminate a site. This may well be while the former owner abandoned the site. Any present or future owner will be saddled with the expense of cleaning up the site. So be careful!

Also, it's really hard to secure property in a remote location. If there are neighbors, get to know them. And if one seems trustworthy, offer to pay them something to keep an eye on your house. It'll be well worth it.

Tony

 

[thunderw21]

Like I said, though, not directly--if you keep things on the down-low and don't let anyone see that you're upgrading, might make a good place to stash supplies and bug-out to in case of another Watts/Rodney King/Other Civil Unrest scenario.

I like your thinking.

 

[Diamondback]

I like your thinking.

Yeah, sometimes it's more secure to not attract attention and "fly below the radar" than to construct a massive fortified compound where friend and foe alike know it's there.

The more attention your retreat attracts from the living, the more they will in turn attract from the undead or other such threats...