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"Friends of Burro Schmidt
Tunnel"
This is the Burro Schmidt Tunnel
and Camp News Page.
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You can help! If you have visited the site
recently please let
us know the condition of the fence or anything else you think
needs our attention.
Your Pictures, thoughts, comments and idea's
are welcome and needed! Contributor links given!
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03/19/07
Hi gang,
Chuck here. Those of you who are aware of the White Swan IBLA
case and how players involved there may have thwarted our efforts
to work with Seger heirs in order to save the artifacts and history
at the Seger/Schmidt cabins at Burro Schmidt's famous tunnel...the
ruling is public and is available for you to read on deathvally.com.
Through newly formed 501.c.3 "Friends of Last Chance
Canyon" we are hopeful that we will find the volunteers
and raise the support necessary to rebuild what is remaining
at Burro Schmidt Tunnel soon.
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07/08/06
Hi gang,
Chuck here. The newest news we have is that it appears that
the structures have now become BLM owned. All of our efforts
to help the previous owners maintain private ownership or somehow
transfer their ownership to another private entity, (if they
had lost interest or could not engage in thier property for whatever
reason) has failed.
Our opinion was that keeping the ownership of these structures
private would have been best for many reasons, not the least
of which is that it would have been the right thing to do. The
BLM had also told us that they would prefer the site to be maintained
by the owner so, we spent hundreds of hours in '05 communicating
with people. Most of that communication was with people posing
as the owners reps. (never verified) in an attempt to get the
actual owner to engage in their property. This failed. A waste
of time? Perhpas. We did try!
The quandary over the past couple of years between BLM and
owner has resulted in a miserable loss for the owner (now the
public) as well as for American mining history.
The good news is that there IS a new owner and one who is
willing to engage. The BLM is interested in maintaining the site.
Their involvement will probably go slowly though because they
are a government entity. Our hope is that by showing our interest
in helping we can keep the red tape moving along into faster
action and results. Want to help? Contact us or the Ridgecrest Field Office of the BLM
Again, these are our interpretations and our opinions of the
facts we've been able to gather. We make no claim to having all
the info.
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02/27/06
Chuck here,
My kids and I went up to the Tunnnel and found these signs
posted. As of today, we believe that the BLM has taken posession
penidng an appeal period that may still be open as an option
for anyone who wants to prove or claim ownership. We don't know
when any appeal period may have started or when it will end but
we've heard the appeal period is 30 days. Click on a picture
for larger view. It could be that we are very close to having
a new owner and possibly an opportunity to develp a restoration
plan and negotiate helping the BLM bring this site back to some
facimile of what it was. As far as saving the history goes, I
view this as a good thing.
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02/08/06
2-8-06
My husband and myself were just there yesterday. We were horrified
at the site, if only the vandals knew what they were taking and
destroying. My husband and myself was spending a few days camping
in Randsburg and we saw the sign for the tunnel we wanted
to go and see it the next day. A couple had told us of the
story, so yesterday we eagerly set out to find the tunnel
and the house where she had lived, we were so disappointed with
the shambles of the house. If it weren't for the vandals and
thieves this would be a great place to show what our history
has to offer us. I hope this can be fixed up and hopefully there
for my grandchildren to enjoy. Lee and Joyce
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11/05/05
Hello,
While we were there on Saturday, November 5, 2005, around
noon, there were aprox 30 people who were there visiting.
This included 7 people on motorcycles, a family of 3, and a group
of people who showed up in around 8 hummers plus a Land Rover.
One of the people was there filming with a small camera. One
person there seemed well versed and was giving a "tour"
and explaining to friends. Everyone we saw seemed in awe of the
place and was acting respectful. The barb wire was all up and
seemed to be in good condition.
We visited the tunnel after purchasing a postcard while on the
way to my grandmother's trailer in Onyx. We ended up on a side
trip and stood amazed just staring at that work of art. When
we got home tonight we looked on line at the website.
I am writing to let you know that if you begin collecting articles
that were NOT part of the museum, but are "from the era",
please keep me in mind. My mother had many articles like those
on those walls. They are now mine. Antique items like those found
in those pictures, many look identical. I would be glad to donate
anything you felt would work to help recreate the museum
as it used to be when you are ready to start recreating it again.
I feel horrible that so many people were taking items and there
is nothing left.
My other half and I would be more than happy to lend a hand if
you need volunteers. Just say the word and we'll be there.
By the way, there was a large wire trap in behind the house.
Out of curiosity, do you know what it was for?
Angela
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10/31/05
I was there today. I am still in shock over what I saw. There
will be nothing left of the cabins if a chain link fence with
razor wire at the top is not installed. I had not been there
since just before Tonie had passed away. As we approached from
the road, I was completely taken aback, how could this have happened,
why were there no more windows in Tonie's place. As I neared
the front of the cabin, 37 years of memories suddenly flashed
before my eyes, I silently cried. The damage that has been done
is disgusting. I am almost embarrassed to say that I am an avid
off-roader, member of the AMA, and District 37. What kind of
people desecrate memories like this? And for what gain? Why are
people obsessed with writing, so and so was here on such and
such a date? I feel blessed to have known Tonie, to have signed
my name in the book, to have put a dollar in the jar, and borrowed
a "lantern," to have sat inside with her on cold days,
next to the stove, listening to her, waiting to speak until
she put "her ears on," to have given her a hug
and felt how frail she was, hoping it wouldn't be the last time
I saw her. I spent the whole ride home wondering why people
that have such little respect for anything are allowed to life
on this earth, and just as I neared my off ramp and asked why
God, why? I realized that people like that are allowed to be,
so that people like us will only appreciate more, people like
Tonie.
Tracie
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10/29/05
Hi everyone! I went out to the tunnel on Sunday w/kids and
dog and all was just great. The DOG went through the tunnel!
The fence is up and in really good shape. Signs are all there
etc. There was one place in the fence by the northeast corner
(right side of parking as you approach) where people had bent
the wires down so they could step over. I re-rigged that section
while I was there but the rest of the fence showed no signs of
people trying to bend or breech which is just great. Thanks all!
There were several groups of people there noonish, all seemed
to be just taking a break and or visiting the tunnel. Motorbikes
and dune buggies. Everyone having fun and enjoying the beautiful
fall desert weather.
I took some video of the tunnel and hope to post a short bit
of that on the photos page soon.
Thanks to everyone for all your help in keeping the place
clean and respecting the private property behind the fence.
Chuck & kids.
P.S. With these last rains, Mesquite Canyon has pretty much
become "too rough" for the Chanpagne Van. We made it
in on Sat. but barely. There are wash-outs and erosion ruts in
several places. I need a Jeep! (Rubicon)
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10/09/05
Hi, my good friend Gary and I took our 3 year old son's up
to the Schmidt tunnel. It was the first time for all of us. I
had been to Dove Springs OHV area a handful of times but never
made it up to the tunnel. After reading all of the history and
about Tonie Seger I had a respectful and fond desire to see it
for myself.
Please keep in mind that I have nothing to compare it to as I
had never been there before. The fence is still intact and is
showing signs of sag. The satellite dish is knocked over. The
signs leading up to the tunnel and around the tunnel are still
there, including the monument.
The area was fairly clean but had definite signs of vandalization.
Thanks for preserving a historic piece of California's History.
Doug
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9/11/05
My kids and I went up Sat nite to camp at Bickel. Great night!
There was a half moon which seemed very bright. Up again at 3Am
or so to...stretch my legs?...and the moon was down but that
Milkey Way was great to see up there instead. Waht a gorgeous
desert sky at night. BST: The fence and signs at Burro Schmidt
Camp are in great shape. Almost like someone's taking care of
them! I was really, really happy to see that. Thanks you-all
for helping! Who are the "Murphy's" by the way? They
left a cool wooden and nicely written sign inside the tunnel
entrance. I loved the littlle cactus artwork on it too! Thank
you!
Chuck.
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9/05/05
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005
Subject: (no subject)
To: info@burroschmidttunnel.org
Chuck... I was up this weekend, Friday and Saturday,
fence looked good and so did the pictures, did not appear to
be in any worse shape than when I was up last (May 2005), there
were 2 guys who were trying to get under the fence to poke around
inside, but I was sitting on my motorcycle using my cell phone
(I get great reception up there!) and when they saw me staring
at them with a "what are you doing" look, they stopped
and asked me if I knew what had happened up here, I told them
the whole story and they said they used to come up a lot in the
80's and visit Tonie... I stayed around for about an hour to
make some calls and saw about 5 total people - not a lot for
a holiday weekend - the canyon in general was fairly quiet overall.
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6/25/05
Saturday 6/25 The signs are still up and we messed up the
threads on the bolts to make it more difficult to steal them.
The fence was in great shape except for the NE corner. The T-Posts
in that corner are coming up and out and the fence wire is loose.
We did our best without tools to tighten that corner up. It is
understood that without a caretaker we can not expect people
to stay out of this private property, but the appearance of a
maintained fence is important to show someone is caring for the
site. If you visit and have a solution for re-planting the T-posts
in that corner of the fence we would appreciate it greatly!
The views into Last Chance Canyon from Tonie's were amazing.
The late afternoon light on the El Paso's is incredible!
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5/29/05
Sunday 5/29 we installed the 3 new outdoor signs which are
printed on vinyl-on-metal.. Before we went out to install them
we glued these metal signs to a wood backing. At the fence around
the Schmidt/Seger camp structures we then U-Bolted the 3 signs
to fence T-Posts.
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If you have a set of bolt cutters please trim
the excess thread on the U-bolts for us!
Also, it has been suggested that someone ruin the
bolt threads so that it would be difficult to steal them too.
6/25 bolt threads have been ruined but still need to be trimmed
with bolt cutters.
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| The above cabin is the Mike Lee/Tonie
Seger portion which sits to the right hand side if you are facing
the structures from the road. The below cabin is what Tonie Seger
called the "Museum" and is Burro Schmidt's old cabin
built appx. 1906. Most of the Burro Schmidt artifacts that Tonie
had on display for all to enjoy have now been stolen. Both structures
have been ransacked. Please stay out of these buildings for your
own safety and out of respect for the current owner and of those
who spent their lives here. Perhaps one day they will be open
for all to enjoy. We think the history these old mining camps
can teach is worth protecting and worth saving. There are very
few examples like this left and none with the "Burro Schmidt
Tunnel" notoriety. The legacy of spirit, independence and
determination these desert folks had is something we should all
want to learn about and share with our own families and to save
and protect for future generations. We are in the midst of trying
to do that here and now. |
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4/18/05
Explore
Historic California Report 4/18/05
** One Week Later & All Is Well!!! You
will all be happy to know that the fence, rock work, and signs
are still up and standing. Lots of visitors out there and everyone
is quite respectful of things, also! I think it really makes
a difference to have put those signs up! We put up signs making
it very obvious which way the tunnel is - and that worked also.,
several people just drove on up to the tunnel and didn't even
stop at the buildings. The fact that we were out there putting
up more signs, and I cleaned up a couple of beer & pop bottles
left around - showed people that we are obviously an active group
& finally doing something. -- Cecile
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4/16/05
** This coming weekend (4/16) we have volunteers visiting
the site to add signs to show visitors where the tunnel is. The
old signs pointing the way are gone. As you approach the site
you see the badly ransacked structures but there is no sign to
let people know where Burro Schmidt's Tunnel is. It's possible
people were goung into the structures to look for the tunnel.
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4/09/05
** Sat. 4/09 We repaired and tightened the fence around
the structures. We did this with permission from BLM who also
supplied new wire and posts for us to use. We also posted signs
to the fence.
**
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