Cool Underground Tunnel and Nanaimo's Old Mine Shafts

[GR74]

Well I'm really glad that the outcome of this thread is "hey, what mine should I explore first". I should have seen this coming, I don't know why I even bothered. Thanks guys, I 'm finished here.

[BigMac]

Well I'm really glad that the outcome of this thread is "hey, what mine should I explore first". I should have seen this coming, I don't know why I even bothered. Thanks guys, I 'm finished here.

This is getting really strange, again!

[Steamer_1949]

This is getting really strange, again!

Again, you say! Oh, dear.
Anyway, there seemed to be some interest in those evaporating photos and the Western Fuel Company. I am pretty sure the abandoned rails in the photos are an unused siding at Stockett. The rails and ties are too new to be remnants from Western Fuel. Here is a map to turn the clock back a bit! It indicates that the Western Fuel Railway heading to the Harewood and Douglas mines passed underneath the E&N.

[Steamer_1949]

I was looking for the aerial tramline that serviced the Harewood Mines but don't see it. I have heard it was still erect in the 1950s. Where did it come through town to reach the wharves?

This photo shows Protection Island in the distance. Keeping in mind that the tramline went down Albert Street, perhaps you can estimate the point of intersection with the beach. It would be interesting to know how and where it unloaded those buckets at the wharves.

[km111]

Well I'm really glad that the outcome of this thread is "hey, what mine should I explore first". I should have seen this coming, I don't know why I even bothered. Thanks guys, I 'm finished here.

I did not want to offend anyone. I think this thread is great!!!!! We are interested in the history of mining in Nanaimo and have talked about exploring a couple years ago, but with young children it held us back. Like I said before, I did not mean to offend anyone, just looking for some help.

[Peter Roosen]

This seems to be at the highest point of the tramline.

[Peter Roosen]

I did not want to offend anyone. I think this thread is great!!!!! We are interested in the history of mining in Nanaimo and have talked about exploring a couple years ago, but with young children it held us back. Like I said before, I did not mean to offend anyone, just looking for some help.

You might start by following the tramline from the waterfront near the foot of Albert Street up to the Harewood Mine. About 5 miles?

[BigMac]

I did not want to offend anyone. I think this thread is great!!!!! We are interested in the history of mining in Nanaimo and have talked about exploring a couple years ago, but with young children it held us back. Like I said before, I did not mean to offend anyone, just looking for some help.

I think someone here figures the mines are strictly for him to explore. I think it is inevitable, with this post being so large, that other people may be curious, and want to check them out also. Just be aware of the GREAT DANGER if you enter these mines!!

[Flugel Horn]

Every June, we have a bit of an upset in this thread.
- last year at this time, someone from the City dared to ask a simple question....

[Peter Roosen]

I did not want to offend anyone. I think this thread is great!!!!! We are interested in the history of mining in Nanaimo and have talked about exploring a couple years ago, but with young children it held us back. Like I said before, I did not mean to offend anyone, just looking for some help.

Another thought. Anybody have information on the mine shaft that is tied into the basement of Johnson's Hardware and runs under the street and Queen's Hotel. The hardware store closed a few years ago and I miss going in there from time to time. That little woodstove in the front corner gave the place some character (and cheap heat) right to the end. I've heard a story that when the Queen's caught fire one year, the fire department had to go into the hardware store basement to check on the dynamite stores because the cases of explosives were (I am told) kept in the part of the basement under the hotel. Anyone got pics of this basement?