Confidence Mine
Discovered in 1853, Confidence Mine became one of California’s richest gold mines. It was developed by the pioneer stage owner and pony express man Ben Holladay. An incline shaft of 1,000’ was sunk and off that a 2,000’ horizontal shaft hit the best paydirt. At it’s climax the mine employed a 40 stamp mill. It’s ore averaged better than $20 per ton. Total take of the mine was conservatively place at $3,500,000 and some say it was more like $5,000,000. The mine supported the town of Confidence which included a Hotel, Dance Hall, Saloon, General Store, Butcher Shop, Post Office and School. Nearby the mine were the Mary Ellen, Independence, Little Jessie and Playboy, all good producers of high quality ore.
Marker is at the intersection of Sonora Pass Highway (State Highway 108) and Confidence Road, on the left when traveling east on Sonora Pass Highway.
Courtesy hmdb.org
