Poland - Yavapai County

Updated: 12/16/2016

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Where: Yavapai County near Prescott

 

Operation Dates:  1872 to 1913

 

Noted Aspects of Town:  Named after Davis R. Poland who found and named the mine in 1872.  A tunnel was built between Poland and Walker to shorten the transportation of ore to the main rail line.

 

History:  Named after Davis R. Poland who found and named the mine in 1872.  The Poland area initially started as a placer mining operation.  The Poland mining camp and larger scale mining began when Frank M. Murphy and Associates acquired the Poland Mine.  Under the new owners, a large ore body was found during drilling operations and initial mine shaft development.  With the ore body discovery, Frank built a 20-stamp mill and concentrator supported by a branch railroad.  Frank funded a tunnel between Poland and Walker which was completed in May 1904.  This tunnel allowed for ore transport from the Walker area to his mill and helped supported the railroad at Poland.

 

The town of Poland grew to include over 800 people including miners, mill workers, and others supporting the community and businesses from 1902 to 1904.  The Poland Post Office was established November 16, 1901 and discontinued February 15, 1913.  By 1913 the mill had shut down after producing $750,000 worth of silver lead from the Poland mine and additional ore form the other supporting mines in the area.

 

People:  Davis Robert Poland and Frank M. Murphy

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Mine(s) supporting town:  Poland Mine, and from the Walker area the Amulet, Mudhole and Sheldon mines.

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What you will see today:  Today Poland has summer homes amongst the pine trees and canyon area.  If you look close around the area you can still find evidence of the old mine, buildings, and the tunnel which is no longer passable with water flowing from its entrance.

 

Acknowledgement:  Central Arizona Ghost Towns (Robert L. Spude / Stanley W. Paher), and personal exploration.