As a follow up if anyone cares...
Jason was kind enough to send me the original photo. THANKS!
I scanned/enlarged the image to study the mill building details. As others have posted, this is the mill that once stood at Vanadium (Newmire), Colorado along the RGS. Comparing the details to others in my collection of research data, I can date the photo to be between late 1914 to early 1916. Most likely in the 1915 timeframe. The skylights on the solution room are different than in a photo dated 1914 but match some 1916 photos. The dump shed that was built around 1916ish and shows in the 1922 Sanborn drawing that Dave Grandt posted doesn't exist yet. 1915 saw a significant change in the milling process so it was going through some more serious evolution at the time. Why the photo was taken at the time and from that unique vantage point, I have no clue.
In 1915, the mill was being run by the Primos Chemical Company. I not sure if it was still being leased from the Vanadium Alloys Co at this time or not. I haven't found evidence of when the mill was actually purchased. The lease began in 1909. It is documented that the Vanadium Corporation of America bought the mill from the Primos company in late 1919/early 1920.
FWIW. I've only found evidence that this mill processed roscoelite for it's vanadium values only. This is well documented at the Colorado School of Mines and other credible sources. The majority of the ore came by horse/wagon, truck and Holt tractor from mine(s) along Bear Creek. Some came from the Fall Creek/Sawpit area by truck or wagon. Some was brought by rail from Placerville (Paradox Valley Mines and some local). I haven't found much evidence, but the ore must have came from the Primos and Omega sidings in the late 19-teens too. Most ore came from company owned claims.
I hope you find that interesting...
Cheers!
Craig Symington
[
www.riograndesouthern.com]
