RCC/So Close, Yet So Far

So Close, Yet So Far

I've been reading a bit about U.S. Mint history lately, which reminded me of the story of the western branch mint that almost was.

In the summer of 1861, gold was discovered in the Canyon City and Baker areas of northern Oregon and a small town called The Dalles quickly became a bustling community supporting the needs of the new mining companies and miners that flooded into the area seeking riches.

Initially, the mines were generous and Wells Fargo serviced the miners' need for a way of converting their gold dust into coins and bars by transporting the gold to San Francisco via boat. This proved expensive and troublesome, however, and soon local interests began lobbying for a Branch Mint to be built in The Dalles. On July 4, 1864, it appeared as if the people of The Dalles had gotten their wish as Congress authorized a branch mint to be built and appropriated $100,000 for its construction.

Unfortunately, "politics" got in the way of the mint's progress and it was not until 1869 that construction of the mint was even begun. Plans called for a two-story sandstone building approximately 75 feet square. By the time the basement and the first floor were completed, however, the flow of gold from the local mines had slowed dramatically. Unfortunately for the people of The Dalles, at the same time, the gold fields of Colorado were proving far more rich and profitable.

With this turn of events, Washington decided that The Dalles was no longer a good choice for a branch mint and attention was turned to Denver. Congress had authorized a mint to be established in Denver in 1862, and though it had not yet struck any coins, it was serving the local mining interests through its refining and assaying services.

So, after nearly a decade's worth of effort to bring a mint to its town, the people of The Dalles were left with a partially completed building and little else but dreams of what might have been. The original Mint building still stands in The Dalles, but the role it is serving in the community is far from glamorous - it is currently being used as a storage facility by a cellular telephone retail store. Maybe someday it will be purchased by some historical preservation society and be refurbished into something far more noble.

Until next month, Happy Collecting!

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