Richinbar Mine

Richinbar Mine
Richinbar Mine - Photo from 1940 - Courtesy of Arizona Geologic Survey files

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Bradshaw Mountain Road




Here is a new song that I just wrote about the Bradshaw Mountain Road, in Yavapai County Arizona. The song tells the story of the hard rock miners who lived and worked in Middleton and Crown King during the boom-bust period of 1880-1930. Frank Murphy developed the railroad to transport ore from the mines in the area. The train was abandoned in 1926, after only 22 years of service. The existing Crown King road uses the old railroad right-of-way starting at the first switchback.

My connection with the area began in the 1980's when my family and I purchased a cabin in Crown King. Since that time I have tried to learn as much as possible about the mining era. I have been fortunate to know several people with direct knowledge of the early mining days. In addition, I enjoy hiking and 4-wheeling in the area. There is increasing amount of material being posted on the internet in recent years. Two of the most valuable sites are:
http://www.apcrp.org/index.htm - Arizona Pioneer and Cemetery Research Project
http://www.tigergold.com/ - Tiger Gold Company

I have developed an interest in song-writing over the past year. I enjoy combining my long-time interest in music, words, and the Arizona outdoors. Please let me know your thoughts about my music. I invite you to refer other interested people to my blog and You Tube songs.

5 comments:

  1. Great song! Had hoped to meet you at the Humbug doings this week-end, but we are booked to the max. Would like for you to stop in at our trail riding business coming or going if you have the time. We are just off the pavement on the Castle Hot Springs Road 1/2 mile from the north entrance to Lake Pleasant. You will see our sign on the left side of the road. Only thing out there. There is a chance that we could still make it up to Humbug if we can get someone to fill in for us, but probably not. This sort of thing happens almost every year to us, but we always manage to meet up w/Dave Burns and Neil DuShane somewhere along the way nevertheless! Anyhow, we are right on the way and would love to meet you.

    Rusty and Betty Ann Hastings
    Betty's Trail Rides
    R/B

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  2. Nice! Keep it up...and I'll be watching you on Leno or Letterman!

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  3. Seems idyllic!! I love the way your interests in music, history and the outdoor life in Arizona have come together...melded to form this blog. I'll be watching and listening with interest...fascinating stuff!

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  4. Bob, I really enjoyed playing guitars with you & Tony Nelson & hearing your original vocals. Let's do it again soon. Will post your blog link on Facebook if Lynda can tell me how to do it.

    Jim McCoy

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  5. i am a native born and raised her in az my husband knows the Bradshaw mountains like the back of his hand.. this song is the greatest song i have heard for the area i have grown to love

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