1

Ore dump platform at the Silver King Mine.
1896
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

2

An aerial tramway linking the Silver King mine with Nelson had long been a dream to simplify the transportation of ore down Toad Mountain. This was finally realized when the last splice was made in the cable in October 1895. The Hallidie tramway was built by the California Wireworks Co. of San Francisco at a cost of $50,000.

3

View of Nelson and Tramway
January, 1896
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

4

Looking Down the Silver King Mine Tramway toward Nelson, B.C.
1896
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

5

The gravity-operated tramway consisted of a 9 mile cable supported by 123 towers extending over a distance of four and one half miles and rising 4,500 feet from the smelter site in Rosemont, Nelson, to the Silver King mine. 875 buckets each weighing 100 pounds were used to transport the ore. Seventeen men were required to operate the system which had a daily capacity of 10 tons.

6

Halfway Station Crew of the Silver King Mine Tramway.
1896
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

7

Upper Terminal of Tramway at the Silver King Mine.
1896
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

8

The clatter and clanging of the tramway resounded throughout Nelson day and night. Problems were encountered as the cable was replaced the following year. It also became necessary to divide the tramway into two sections because of the long stretch of unsupported cable over Giveout Creek.

9

View of Nelson, B.C. and Kootenay Lake from the Tramline MidStation
1984
Silver King Mine, Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

10

Ore Bucket hanging from a remnant of the Silver King Tramline
1984
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

11

Abandoned Ore Buckets from the Silver King Mine
1984
Silver King Mine, Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

12

Old Telephone Pole on the Tramline right of way to the Silver King Mine
1984
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

13

Grassy swath on path of the former Silver King Mine Tramline
1986
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C