1

Visitors standing at the entrance to a tunnel at the Silver King Mine.
1896
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

2

Closeup of Employees on the Bunkhouse Porch and Steps, Silver King Mine.
1896
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

3

The exciting tales of gold and silver rushes tend to disregard the realities of miners' lives. Miners lived in isolated camps facing the dangers of the wilderness. Underground working conditions were dangerous and many men died from lung diseases, dynamite explosions and rock falls.

4

Stopeing Ore possibly at Silver King Mine
1890
Silver King Mine, Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

5

Initially all mine work was carried out by hand. Ore was obtained by drilling holes in the rock face, using a hammer and drill steel, inserting dynamite in the holes and blasting the ore free. Ore was loaded into ore carts using picks and shovels and driven out of the mine along narrow gauge track.

6

Log Boarding House at the Silver King Mine
1890
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

7

Miner's Acetylene Lamp attached to Canvas Cap
1900

8

Miners wore heavy wool clothes called 'diggers'. There was no protective clothing - no hard hats or safety glasses in those days. The only available light was provided by the traditional miners' candles which were worn in their hats.

9

Miner's Hard Hat with Hanger for Acetylene Lamp
1900

10

Miners at the Silver King Bunkhouse
1890
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

11

Checking the Steam Compressor at the Silver King Mine.
1896
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

12

Power drills were first used at the Silver King in 1894 and were powered by huge air compressors. Early drills were nicknamed 'The Widow-maker' - dust and rock particles accumulated in the men's lungs, often resulting in death. Later steam drills alleviated the problem somewhat.

13

Group outdoors at the Silver King Mine.
1899
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

14

Two Miners at the Silver King Mine.
1890
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C