The Hunter Mining District covers the west slope of the Egan Range south of the Cherry Creek Mountains. After the great excitement of the rush to White Pine, prospectors spread out in search of new prospects. William Armstrong and Chris Delker discovered ores that assayed high in silver and lead and a small camp was built on the west flank of the Egan Range in 1871. The Horton, Tiger, Nebraska and Arizona claims were the earliest discoveries, but no production was reported. (As with other mining districts, the reader must remember that
reported is the key word! That does not mean there was no production!) Quartzite soon proved to be the prevailing formation. After working the mines for a number of years, the property was sold to George Kennedy, a prominent merchant in Cherry Creek. Recognizing the value of the ore in the district, Kennedy built a smelter. By May of 1877, the lure of riches was pulling miners from other districts. The
Ward Semi-Weekly Reflex noted on Thursday, May 24, 1877 that Hunter was attracting a considerable amount of attention and that quite a number of miners from Ward had lit out for Hunter. Of more concern than the loss of the miners was the defection of a number of female “missionaries” who answered the call to Hunter.
June 19, 1877 a post-office was officially designated at Hunter. The mines were working at full capacity and soon the signs of prosperity attracted businesses. Among them were George Stokle, a lodging house, James Henry, a saloon, Alex McDonald, a blacksmith shop, and Blanchard, a store. During the short time the smelter was in operation over $500,000 worth of bullion was produced. Hunter enjoyed the distinction of being the only district in the county at that time that paid a bullion tax.
The post-office remained in operation until February 19, 1878. Mining continued until 1884. The demonitization of silver had its effect on Hunter as well as silver mines in the county. Operations ceased, and a mass exodus soon left the camp abandoned. Buildings were either moved or left to decay.
After 1884, the mines lay idle with the howl of a coyote the only sign of life in that vicinity. George Kennedy, who owned most of the mines in Hunter, died and his mining interests fell to his heirs. April 1906, Robert Neill of Spokane Washington became interested in the minerals at Hunter. He secured an option on a group of twelve claims from Mrs. Samuel Hagans, a daughter of the late George Kennedy. Mr. Neill convinced a group of Spokane business and mining men of the opportunities that Hunter offered and a company known as the Nevada Copper Company was organized with Spokane capital. Vulcan Mining, Smelting & Refining Company bought the 18 patented claims in this district in 1907. In 1913, this company under the direction of H. Ornauer was reopening the main working on the Vulcan and Copperhead Split ore bodies.
During the 1920’s, a bootlegger operated a still at Hunter - but Hunter is dry today! During the 1950’s, a few people were living there and there was sporadic mining. Uranium was discovered in the district in 1957. Some microscopic Fluorspar was identified in a faulted area in limestone and volcanic rocks. Now accommodations are really lacking. Only smelter ruins and remnants of buildings remain. A solitary dugout cabin stands a lonely vigil in the camp.
