Ashford Mill
Early in 1907, Harold Ashford found claims owned by the Keys Gold Mining Co., and after learning that required assessment work had not been done, relocated them and began his own development. It was almost two years before the Keys Co. discovered this, and in 1910 they took Ashford to court - and lost. Ashford continued to work the mines with his brothers until 1914, when they leased to B.W. & Ross McCausland. The McCauslands began heavy development, driving a new tunnel and completing $125,000 worth of improvements. A new 40-ton mill was built about 4½ miles below the mine in 1915, and some $100,000 was taken out. It was quickly realized, however, that the mine was not rich enough to sustain operation and the mill was shut down in September 1915. The McCauslands decided not to pay their lease for the year, and though taken to court by the Ashfords, never made the payment. The mine was idle until 1926, and was thereafter intermittently worked by lessees until about 1941. The mill was never reopened, and its remnants were called by the Inyo Register "conspicuous monuments to disappointment". Ruins of the mill stand today, a popular point of interest due to its easy access. Worthy of note are the thickness of the remaining walls; it is said that the McCauslands accidently received a double shipment of concrete and, rather than incur the cost of returning it, used it to construct the office with extra-thick walls.
