Established
in 1937
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Artifacts clue to I.V. visit
by Spanish explorers 200 years agoBy ROGER BRANDT
Special to IVNIn the early history of Illinois Valley, three artifacts were discovered by miners that appear to give evidence of possible Spanish exploration in the region, possibly in the 1780s.
This exploration may have taken place more than 50 years before the Hudson Bay Co. came to the area in 1825, and more than 70 years before the Illinois Valley gold rush of 1851.
The first evidence of early explorers was really more of a casual observation than an artifact. This happened in 1852, just one year after the first gold had been discovered in Illinois Valley.
A group of prospectors found an old trench, and they were certain that it had been used for some sort of mining operation. Based on the amount of weathering, they speculated that the trench had been made a long time ago, possibly as much as a hundred years.
Some time later, and in the same area as where the old trench was found, a worn and corroded crucifix was washed from the gravels into a sluice box. The miners who found the artifact felt that this gave a possible clue to who may have dug the old ditch.
Fifty years later, in 1902, a small pendent similar to those worn by Franciscan friars was found in the same area. And a decade after this discovery, a Spanish coin dated 1784 was found.
There was some speculation that the date on the coin provides a rough date of when the Spanish may have been in this area. However, there is no historical data to support this.
The crucifix, pendant, and coin were displayed at the Grants Pass “Courier” office in July 1916. No mention was made that gives a clue as to where they might be located now. No photos of the artifacts could be located for this article.
The artifacts were found at the Logan Mine, which was later sold to a man who renamed it the Esterly Mine. These pits have since filled in with water to create small ponds identified on local maps as the Esterly Lakes.
To see the general area where these artifacts were found, drive south out of Cave Junction on Hwy. 199 and immediately after crossing the first bridge, turn left on Rockydale Road. Drive to the end of this road and look for the lakes on your right just prior to the intersection with Waldo Road.
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