Gold and Turquoise
(side one)
First gold placer mining west of the Mississippi began with the discovery of the precious metal in the rugged Ortiz Mountains south of here in 1828, 21 years before the California gold rush. Since then, the district has produced more than 99,000 ounces of placer gold and gold is currently produced from lode deposits.
(side two)
The prominent hills to the east and to the left are the Cerrillos Hills, site of ancient turquoise mines worked by the Indians centuries before the arrival of the Spanish. The Cerrillos (“little hills”) are regarded as the oldest mining district in the United States, and New Mexico is a major turquoise producer. Elevation 6,200 feet.
Marker can be reached from Interstate 25 at milepost 269, 1.5 miles east of Waldo Canyon Road (County Route 57).
Courtesy hmdb.org
