Sutro Tunnel Company
Nevada / Industrial / Sutro Tunnel Company
History
Proposed by Adolph Sutro in 1860 [1]. He promoted the drainage tunnel to allow access to deeper mineral exploration in the Comstock. Flooding and inadequate pumps had inhibited some exploration until that time.
By 1865, Sutro's idea had gained the approval of state and federal legislation. The mining interests of the Comstock initially supported the project, but later opposed the idea after Sutro proposed hauling Comstock ore through the tunnel to mills along the Carson river near Dayton. Many financial interests in the area feared that an alternate access point to the Comstock minerals would threaten their monopoly on the mining and milling supply chain in the Comstock.
Nonetheless, Sutro formed the Sutro Tunnel Company, selling stock certificates to raise funds for its construction, which began in 1869. Financing also came from local miners motivated by the prospect of improved mine safety. This motivation was further advocated (perhaps exploited) by Sutro after the Yellowjacket mine disaster where dozens of miners were burned to death because they could not escape.
The main tunnel was completed in 1878. By then the Comstock mine had gone deeper, using improved pumps, and was also thinning out. Lateral tunnels were created to enhance drainage and ventilation. Upon completion, Adolph Sutro immediately sold his interest in the tunnel company and moved to San Francisco, later becoming mayor, building the Sutro Baths and a small Sutro Tunnel to them.
Today the site of Sutro Tunnel is cared for by the Sutro Tunnel Site Restoration Project and is currently being rehabilitated.
- ↑ Sutro, Adolph (1865). The Advantages and Necessity of a Deep Drain Tunnel for the Great Comstock Ledge. San Francisco, CA., Sutro's argument and proposal for the tunnel
Bibliography
Reference Material Available Online
Photographs
Equipment Roster
Links
Organizations
Sutro Tunnel Site Restoration Project
Collections
A Guide to the Sutro Tunnel Company records, NC07. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Reno.