EXPLORING an 1800s Gold Rush Mill Structure

by Miles and HikesYOUTUBEPosted on No Comments

El Alamo, a near-abandoned ghost town from the 1800s Gold Rush in Baja California, lies just nine miles off the Ensenada to San Felipe highway 3. Its story began in 1888 with the discovery of gold by prospectors Rafael López and Juan Antonio Melendez, leading to Baja California’s largest gold rush. Known as the Santa Clara fields at the time, the site saw an influx of miners in 1889, with some traveling from as far as San Diego. By May 1889, the bustling mining district boasted a population exceeding 1,600, complete with a newspaper, “The Alamo Nugget” and productive mines such as Princesa, Aurora, and Penelope. The 560-foot-deep Princesa mine shaft remains a testament to the town’s former glory.

By the mid-20th century, the population dwindled, particularly during World War II, but traces of its golden past endure. Visitors today can explore remnants of El Álamo’s history, including ruins of mines and a charming church with a bell tower. A smooth, graded road off Highway 3 at Km. 85.5 leads to this hauntingly beautiful ghost town. Stories of visible gold nuggets on the ground still persist, adding allure for modern adventurers.

Real del Castillo Viejo, another gold rush town: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mMHCeaDRTQ

EXACT GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Yxp7m72SEN9qk3yD8

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
00:26 – The House
01:15 – The Mill
03:49 – Strange Structures
05:24 – Pond
05:35 – Bathrooms?
05:57 – Huge Pool
06:27 – Machinery
06:50 – Barbecue
07:29 – Treasures
08:13 – Mine Shaft
08:19 – The Bigger Mill
08:38 – Abandoned House
09:55 – Outro

Text Credits: https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/el_alamo

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[Ep. 7 of 8] BAJA ROADTRIP: POZO ALEMAN, a fascinating 1800’s Gold Rush GHOST TOWN

by Miles and HikesBAJA CALIFORNIA SUR, YOUTUBEPosted on No Comments

Join us on our epic month long Baja California roadtrip.
Join us on an epic exploration of El Pozo Alemán, or “German Well,” a historic and true 1800s gold rush ghost town in Baja California Sur, founded in the early 1890s during the gold mining boom near Calmalli. Once a thriving mining camp with settlers from across the region and the U.S., it gradually faded as gold deposits ran out, leaving behind remnants of adobe homes, underground dwellings, and a historic cemetery. Now owned by the Villavicencio family, this site offers a fascinating glimpse into Baja’s mining history. Visitors exploring the area will be fascinated by its heritage while taking in its eerie yet captivating atmosphere.

Want to see more Baja roadtrip videos?: https://tinyurl.com/bajaroadtrips

EXACT GOOGLE MAPS LOCATION:
Pozo Aleman: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6UCg3oJAYgsJwS3n8
El Arco: https://maps.app.goo.gl/s83SaMtmCcP95LtJ8

Chapters:
00:00 – Pozo Aleman
09:01 – The Cemetary
10:26 – El Arco’s Church
11:47 – Rusted Gold Mining Machinery
14:15 – Outro

My copyright free music is from EPIDEMIC SOUND
For a 30-day FREE trial: https://share.epidemicsound.com/41vf3j