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Headlines October, 2007 Statue celebrates gold mining history
Headlines October, 2007 Statue celebrates gold mining history
Statue celebrates gold mining history
Tuesday 30th 2007f October, 2007
A statue of a gold panner has been unveiled in Jacksonville, Oregon, to celebrate the town's history of gold mining, according to the Mail Tribune newspaper.
The sculpture stands on rocks taken from Jackson Creek, where real-life miners once panned for gold, explained project initiator Tony Hess.
"I know [the smaller stones] were all touched by a gold miner at some point," he told the southern Oregon newspaper.
Residents in the town have nicknamed the gold panner Jimmy after two mule packers – James Poole and James Cluggage – who accidentally discovered gold in the creek bed when they set up camp next to it in 1852.
According to the Bigham Knoll historic site, the discovery became known as one of the largest in the state's history, with the two men spending several days panning for placer gold at Jackson Creek immediately following their discovery.
The statue, which was funded by grants from various associations, including the National Park Service and the US Bank, is located near the entrance to the Jacksonville Library, which recently reopened following a six-month closure.
The sculpture stands on rocks taken from Jackson Creek, where real-life miners once panned for gold, explained project initiator Tony Hess.
"I know [the smaller stones] were all touched by a gold miner at some point," he told the southern Oregon newspaper.
Residents in the town have nicknamed the gold panner Jimmy after two mule packers – James Poole and James Cluggage – who accidentally discovered gold in the creek bed when they set up camp next to it in 1852.
According to the Bigham Knoll historic site, the discovery became known as one of the largest in the state's history, with the two men spending several days panning for placer gold at Jackson Creek immediately following their discovery.
The statue, which was funded by grants from various associations, including the National Park Service and the US Bank, is located near the entrance to the Jacksonville Library, which recently reopened following a six-month closure.
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