THE HOLDEN MINE
The Holden Mine site is located in the
remote Railroad Creek Valley on the eastern slope of the North Cascades
in the Lake Chelan area of Washington State, an area which is frequently
referred to as the "Switzerland of America." From discovery to production
and beyond, this is the story of a mining camp that would not become a
ghost town.
My family
moved to Holden in 1937, I attended grade school in the two-room school
house, and graduated with an 8th grade class of eight in 1944. The company
offered summer employment to all employee's children over age 16, and my
job was "slinging hash" in the Mess Hall where meals were served to 150
hungry miners. I moved from Holden a few years before the mine closed,
have attended two reunions, and publish an occasional newsletter which
is mailed to 400 "Holdenites" and serves to keep a scattered community
in touch. Growing up in this unique community, where neighbors were like
family, gave me cherished memories.
Thanks to Nigel Adams, Ph.D., who researched and wrote an extensive account
of the development of the Holden Mine (The Holden Mine: Discovery to Production
1896-1938) as part of his work toward a doctoral degree in history at the
University of Washington. Nigel grew up in Holden and was a major force
in organizing "Miner Reunions" after the mine closed. Nigel was working
on a second book about the production years at Holden; unfortunately, he
died in 1990 before the book was completed.
Patty (Haddon) Tappan patty1@qwest.net