Providence, California, San Bernardino County: Nestled in the vast desert landscape of San Bernardino County, Providence once thrived as a bustling hub of mining activity. It now stands as a silent attestation to the fleeting nature of boomtowns. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: San Bernardino County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 35.0733° N, 115.6500° W
Elevation: Approximately 3,910 feet (1,190 meters)
Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone (PT)
Established: 1880s
Disestablished: Early 1900s
Comments: Providence emerged during the late 19th-century silver mining boom. The town’s existence was closely tied to the activities of the Bonanza King Mine, one of the richest silver mines in the area.
At its peak, Providence was home to several hundred residents and had amenities like a post office, saloons, and a school. Providence was a short-lived silver mining town in San Bernardino County, California Ghost Townlifornia, United States.
It existed between 1880 and 1886. In the spring of 1880, parties of prospectors from Ivanpah found rich silver ore along the steep slopes of the Providence Mountains. The richest property was the Bonanza King, soon sold to a pair of sharps—Wilson Waddingham and Thomas Ewing—who had just bilked investors in a mining-stock scheme in Colorado.
Remains: Providence’s site is now marked by the remnants of its mining operations, including dilapidated structures and the vestiges of the mine itself.
Some foundations and scattered artifacts can be found, but the harsh desert environment has reclaimed much of the area. Working 150 men, the two rapidly opened the Bonanza King and put up a 20-stamp mill.
A post office was established in mid-1882. Since Providence was a company camp, its business district remained limited to 2 general stores and 3 saloons. By then, the mine had produced $1.5 million in bullion.
Current Status: Providence is a ghost town, with no permanent residents. It is accessible to those interested in exploring California’s mining history, though visitors should be prepared for the remote and rugged terrain.
Remarks: Providence poignantly reminds us of the transient fortunes of mining towns. Its remains offer a glimpse into the past, attracting history enthusiasts and adventurers alike who seek to uncover the stories of the Old West.
The town’s remote location adds to its allure, providing a sense of solitude and reflection amidst the desert’s vast expanse. Waddingham and Ewing began to lay off workers for reasons that remain unclear.
The mill burned in mid-1885. A 5-stamp mill was built at the nearby Perseverance Mine in 1886, but the price of silver continued to slip, and the post office closed in 1892.
