One of the most impressive sights along your journey underground is the "glory hole", a vast space (65 feet high, 90 feet wide) where a particularly rich vein of gold is being mined. There is a flurry of activity, with all kinds of hammering, drilling, sawing of timbers, and moving mine cars full of ore.
You won't see this fellow in the ride anymore! Chinese workmen were certainly involved in mining back in the Gold Rush days, but this figure probably offended more than a few people over the years. Bud Hurlbut, designer and builder of the Calico Mine Train, can be partially seen in the cab of the train!
Different postcard, same scene...
I've always loved the thought of underground lakes, rivers and waterfalls! Maybe you would find tiny blind fish in the water. This waterfall is no mere trickle; the roar of the water was exciting, and the spray was welcome on a hot day.
Once more, from a different angle!
We're not done yet! More postcards from the Mine Train are coming.
You won't see this fellow in the ride anymore! Chinese workmen were certainly involved in mining back in the Gold Rush days, but this figure probably offended more than a few people over the years. Bud Hurlbut, designer and builder of the Calico Mine Train, can be partially seen in the cab of the train!
Different postcard, same scene...
I've always loved the thought of underground lakes, rivers and waterfalls! Maybe you would find tiny blind fish in the water. This waterfall is no mere trickle; the roar of the water was exciting, and the spray was welcome on a hot day.
Once more, from a different angle!
We're not done yet! More postcards from the Mine Train are coming.
Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteThe Mine Ride building is incredible. It really transported me. It's real dark in there and feels like you're underground. The reveals of the Glory Hole on different levels are brilliantly crafted, it felt practically bottomless.
They removed the Chinaman from the elevator? I remember seeing him. How is erasing the Chinese workers from the scene less offensive? Color me confused...
The amounts of water were / are really impressive as the Maj says. I'd look into the water for sightless fish.
And those trains! Love 'em.
What a gem Knotts has in that ride.
Cedar Fair better leave this attraction alone!
ReplyDeleteBoy o boy, do I love these.
ReplyDeleteThank you Major. Pictures you could never get back then, and now, thanks to PC loonies, you can't get now either.
There are to this day, in bars in Virginia City, the preserved signs on the wall saying "No Chinese and No Irish". Both groups figured largely in the labor forces in the mines and railroads of the Old West, and were mistreated in their turn by those in charge.
My Irish family are not clamoring to have those signs removed.
That's just history, folks. Of course we are better than that now, that's why it's called the future.
Denying that history happened just runs down the contribution of those people who lived through it.
JG
Never seen these! So great...
ReplyDeleteThe Chinese that became Americans have a prominent place in the history of mining and railroading in California, removing them and their contribution from view is the real insult!
ReplyDeleteThese Mine train pictures are awesome. The Mine train and Log flume are the reasons to go to Knott's, unless you ask my kids, then the reason is the Silver Bullet!
ReplyDeletegreat scenes.....
ReplyDeletethe waterfall in the first picture looks like a ghost image, like a lady's dress and you cant see the ghost wearing it...too cool!!
Hands down, my favorite attraction at Knotts. I love everything about this ride. Thanks so much for a peak at these incredible postcards, Major!
ReplyDelete