Groom Mine

USA / Nevada / Indian Springs /
 lead production / processing, silver mine
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The Conception Mines were the first worked in that area, in about 1871. The name "Groom" appeared in the early 1870s as a result of an English financing of the Conception Mines by the "Groome Lead Mines Limited." The area contained mostly low grade ores of silver and lead - no gold. Other claims in the vicinity of the Conception included the Willow, Maria, and White Lake (sometimes referred to in these records as Whitelake).

Jonas Brown Osborne** and his partners acquired the claims at Groom and patented them in 1876. Osborne's son, Thomas J., acquired these interests in the 1890s. In June, 1916 these claims were incorporated as the Groom Nevada Lead Mines Company and as the Groom Southend Mining Company. As records in this collection indicate, Osborne worked the mines yearly to maintain his claims according to federal mining law. Reports by mining engineers gave enough promise of possible discoveries to maintain interest over a long period of time. The property was leased to several operators, including L.L. Patrick and Tom McCormack but after Osborne's death in 1918 the lessees withdrew and the mine was closed. Operations resumed in 1922 and ore was shipped from 1922 through 1924. The mine was purchased by the Sheahan brothers in 1937 and its workings rehabilitated until 1942. Production resumed after World War II but closed permanently in the early 1950s.

The Sheahan family operated the mine into the 1950s. Work was frequently interrupted during that time by nearby atomic testing. The Sheahans continued to work the property intermittently. Although the family still owns the mine, the mine is not active.

The Queho Posse Chapter of E Clampus Vitus erected a plaque in honor of the Groom Mining District in Rachel, NV on 20 Apr 2008. A more in-depth write up on the mining district can be found in the Queho Posse link below.

**This is the same Jonas B. (not D.) Osborne who acquired mines in the Resting Springs mining district such as the Noonday, Gunsight, Balance, and War Eagle. Some of his other mining involvements included the Eberhard in White Pine County, Danby salt mines, and Ord Mountain mines.

www.groommine.com
westernmininghistory.com/mine_detail/10072154
dewey.library.unr.edu/xtf/view?docId=ead/99-19-ead.xml
beta.worldcat.org/archivegrid/collection/data/927310123
thelandpatents.com/owners/577677
thediggings.com/mines/usgs10246411
thediggings.com/mines/usgs10072154
books.google.com/books?id=a8UC-W50fYkC
data.nbmg.unr.edu/Public/MiningDistricts/2240/22400043....
www.oac.cdlib.org/search?style=oac4;titlesAZ=j;idT=UCb1...
www.quehoposse.org/groomplaque.html
www.reviewjournal.com/news/military/family-rejects-air-...
www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=25741518
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_Clampus_Vitus
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   37°20'46"N   115°46'6"W

Comments

  • I think the info of the Sheahan family are incorrect. I know they made it onto 60 Minutes where they tried to sue the govt, but lost on the grounds of national security. But I don't think the govt actually seized the mine. They fought but I don't think either side got exactly what they wanted. Weird because the patriarch at the time, Pat Sheahan was director of Aviation for Clark County, a pretty big time job, and him and his family were certainly not a security risk as the govt made them to be. The govt did some pretty janky stuff to them, like putting a guard and guard shack on their road. Bombing their working buildings on an oopsie basis. Of the three buildings there, only the house was left standing.
  • There's a difference between it being incorrect, and you thinking it's incorrect. I can't remember where I found that tidbit (usually pretty good at posting my source info, though sometimes I get sidetracked and forget), though. Any links to info you know about would be appreciated.
  • DarinR is right. The land wasn't exactly seized. The Sheahan's still own it but the mill is inoperable. The Sheahan's must notify the Government of when and how long they plan to visit Groom. More than one building is left standing.
  • there is alot of high grade ore ,and the mine was paid for gold numerous times.the mine has always bean active,just on the limited acess the govt. gives them.
  • according to the geologicalsurvey there is over a billion dollers in minerals.the question is,why did the govt let them stay? i bet the govt. did some really unjust things to this family that they dont want to get out.so they let them visit ,waiting until the time that all the witnesses are gone ,thus changing history.in my opinion,the govt. owes this family alot for depribing them there right to mine,or live at the property even though there have bean no security risk or leaks by this family since the base was built.yet they pay the taxes on the property and always have.at what point is a leader going to stand and say no?
  • the mine is in great shape kept up by the family and was never sized by the government, although they have tried many times. darinR is completely correct in the fact they have done many crappy things to a family trying to make a living like everyone else. and for the record we let them know when we are going to our property as a courtesy not a requirement of the government!
  • Yes The true history is trying to be deleted. My Grandfather was a wealthy man from that mine. Paid cash for his house in Vegas with plenty of money left over.All I can say is we were used for nuclear science projects,which never ends,then shot at(i was hiding in the cellar with my Grandma one time)by jets and finally our mill was blown up by a missle with an oxidizer. Why do we hold on? Because we ARE good Americans who are willing to die for our Constitution. You know, the one no-one seems to care about anymore
  • If the mine has NOT produced in over 5 years, its useless. either start up the mine or clear the way let it be used for something more than just land... at least government is giving 5.2mil for it... it would cost that much to get that mine started up and producing an time is a commodity.
  • GOOD LUCK...BUT IF NOT USED..MAYBE THAT OFFER IS GOOD !!
  • A land patent is known in law as "letters patent", and usually issues to the original grantee and to their heirs and assigns FOREVER. The patent stands as supreme title to the land because it attests that all evidence of title existent before its issue date was reviewed by the sovereign authority under which it was sealed and was so sealed as irrefutable; thus, at law the land patent itself so becomes the title to the land defined within its four corners. A land patent is permanent and cannot be changed by the government after its issuance except in case of fraud, clerical error, or failure to pay the initial administrative fees. A statute of limitations applies. The Air Force thinks they can condemn the property - based on conditions that THEY created (nuclear wasteland). This would theoretically (more like magically) pave the way for them to apply eminent domain. Not going to happen. I have an idea. Give the Sheahan's $5.2 million in 1951 inflation adjusted dollars instead - since that's when the trouble started. That would be $124,981,212.10. Look the IRS will end up with $60,000,000 of it - Nevada maybe $6,000,000. Everyone would be happy.
  • Foxtrot Alpha over on Gawker media published a great report on both sides of this site and the land owners. foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-unlikely-struggle-of-the-family-whose-neighbor-is-a-1741346156
  • people don't always want to give up their land for money. it's a sentimental and personal thing and to simply give up something for the sake of the government wanting it? yeah, not so much. sometimes personal things matter more
  • if the family owned it before the air force moved in......it belongs to the family all that stuff stays in the family until given up...and apparently they are not willing to give it up just yet
  • Show all comments
This article was last modified 8 years ago