[Noel Freedman]

My grandfather and his brother founded the Royal Development mine in Trinity, WA in 1921. The powerhouse is still running fed by a stream. There is a year round caretaker on site. Driving directions on net. I have a lot of material of this subject. Interested? email me. Noel Freedman

[Backpacker Joe]

Thanks for the offer Noel. Welcome to the site.

[-lol-]

[Jake]

Yes, the old the powerhouse and mine is a sight to see for sure. The owners gave us a tour of both a few years ago. It is interesting that the buildings roofs are kept clear of snow by heat provided by power from the Pelton wheel, which is still in operation. In the mine, we stood at a point 10,000 feet from the portal at the old transformer station and were able to look back down the tunnel and still see a tiny point of light coming in. The tunnel is that straight for 10,000 feet. At that point, the tunnel turns slightly to the right and enters the area of the main workings, which are connected, to the St. Francis mine 600 vertical feet above by a series of raises and intermediate levels. Phil Woodhouse made a video of the mine and powerhouse that day. It was a lot of fun and very interesting to study the history of this remote mining camp and then visit. It was a very modern and comfortable camp for it’s time, with houses and cabins for the married folks and a couple very nice bunkhouses for the single men. It was said the only way to get a job there was if someone died. It was that good of a place to work and live.

[Jimbo]

2009 now and still waiting for info and pictures

[rforbes]

my great-grandfather bought the whole property back in 1948. It was basically my family's vacation home ever since then. We sold off most of the property except for an acre and one cabin about 20 years ago, i think? something like that. I still go up as many times as I can throughout the summer. -r

[Snowbrushy]

I hope you know just how lucky you are! I'm green with envy. I hate people like you.. (just kidding).

[Mine Explorer]

Video: https://www.facebook.com/northwestundergroundexplorations/

[Mine Explorer]

Specifically: https://www.facebook.com/northwestundergroundexplorations/videos/981566541989577/

[penny1942]

My sister and her 3 year old daughter were murdered at that mine on March 14, 1973. I have always been interested in the history of that area.

[salish]

Oh, I am so sorry about that. My family camped along Chickamin Creek from the mid-1960's until the mid-1970's, and I remember this very well. The rumor at the time was that it was the caretaker at the mine complex, but that was just a rumor. It creeped me out, though. My condolences to you and your family. Cliff

[penny1942]

[salish]

Now that brings it back for me, too. By that I mean your sister's husband being the killer. What a horrible thing for your family to have to go through. My father was a Seattle Police homicide detective so I have a small inkling of what families have to go through, from him. I think the mine has been on private property for many years and is actually owned by Trinity Conservancy group now. You can drive fairly close to the complex at the Phelps Creek campground. It's been a few years since I've been up there, however. The Trinity Conservancy website has a history link: http://trinityconservancy.org/history.html Take care, Cliff

[penny1942]

Cliff, Once again thanks for sharing what you know on the subject, and the link. I truly appreciate it. Kristi

[salish]

My pleasure.