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Archives for January 2009

Three Kids Mine site along Trail

Jan.29th, 2009   Three Kids Mine is part of Southern Nevada’s mining history. It is locate near Lake Las Vegas at trail mile marker 9.0 to 10.5.  There are several deep open pit mines where manganese ore was mined then processed in a mill on site. Mining was activity from around 1917 until the plant was closed in 1961. The site has sat idle for 48 years. It was used in two movies over the years and has been an eyesore for most of the 48-yrs.  Plans are now afoot to clean up the area and turn it into a master planned development of some 1250+ acres.  The development is currently known as “Lakemoor Canyons”.  The project is in the planning, review, approval stage and will require many permits. The actual clean up of the site is about 12 months out if all goes well.

Three kids mine unger/RJ photo

Three kids Mine Unger/RJ photo

History:

The following is an except out of the Review Journal dated May 12, 2005. The article is written by A.D. Hopkins and talks about the Merle Frehner family history….
During World War I the Three Kids Mine, the remains of which are visible southeast of Sunrise Mountain, was producing manganese ore. Harry (Frehner) hauled the ore to the Las Vegas rail yards behind a 10-horse team pulling three heavy-duty freight wagons and a feed cart, hooked one behind the other. “When reaching the east end of Fremont Street, Harry drove straight up the center to the depot, then south to an unloading platform. Crowds of people would line the sidewalks to watch the long outfit go up the street.”  This would have been between 1914 and 1918.

 
 
 

Three Kids mine site today RJ Photo 11-08-09

The following notes and statements come from an article printed in the “MINING CONGRESS JOURNAL dated October 1944….”The three Kids Mine near Las Vegas, owned by the Manganese Ore Company, wholly-owned subsidiary of The M.A. Hanna Company, has proved to be the largest open pit deposit of good grade manganese ore available in America, Vice President M.C. Lake of the ore company said in a recent statement.”

The millling plant next to the mine was owned and operated by the Defense Plant Corporation and as of this writing had produced several thousand tons of high grade manganese nodules. The plant had not yet reached full production according to the article.

Other items of interest from the article are: 1.) Part of the process involved leaching a processing pulp …”in a series of seven thickeners, the first two of which are acid-proof construction and 250 feet in diameter, thus making them the largest acid-proof thickeners ever constructed.” 2.)The “manganese sulphate salt which is roasted in a rotary kiln 360-ft. long and 11ft 3 inches in diameter, to yield a calcine of Manganese oxide and sulpher dioxide gas.”
The article from the Mining Congress Journal also had multiple photos of operations at the mine….Steam shovel loading dump trucks;beginning of the open pit mine operation; Drilling being done by churn drills and rock drills; mining pit with stock piles of ore and mill.

Movies:
Do you know the names of the two Hollywood Movie productions that took place at Three Kids Mine????

The first one I’m still researching. It was filmed after 1961 and involved the blowing up of the mill/plant during filming. I’m told it was in the early 1970’s? Does anyone know…please help me out.

The second film/movie was released February 5, 1987. It was shot entirely on location in southern Nevada. A major battle scene and shoot out occured at the Three Kids Mine site. The name of the movie is “CHERRY 2000” – a 1987 science fiction cult film starring Melanie Griffith and David Andrews. My personal review of movie would make it a “B” movie, acting was not so hot, plot was ?; but the scenery of Southern Nevada was great. The Three Kids Mine shots show some of the remaining structures from the mining days. The big 250-ft concrete thickeners look like alien structures in the film. The movie pops up every now and again on HBO, don’t waste your money renting a DVD.

 
 
 
 
 

Cherry 2000 Movie Poster 1987

Cherry 2000 Movie Poster 1987

The River Mountains Loop Trail:

The trail will front the Three Kids Mine site along the south side of Lake Mead Parkway from the tunnel underpass east to the commercial buildings. At this location the trail will cross to the north side via a tunnel and then follow the BMI waterline right-of-way east for about one mile. The trail will pass under Lake Mead Parkway at the far eastern edge of the Lake moor Canyons development.  This trail alignment is currently under design. We expect completion by end of 2009 2010.

THREE KIDS MINE PHOTO GALLERY:

 
 

 

 

Silverman Triathlon – Video Trailer

I found this on a fellow BLOG site on the Silverman Triathlon event. It is a documentary movie promotional.  The video trailer is by Momentum Advertising/Production www.newmomentum.com

When you get there turn up the volume and hit the full screen button.

http://vimeo.com/2310667

Silverman Triathlon bike-rider

Silverman Triathlon bike-rider

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River Mountains Loop Trail
1 month ago
River Mountains Loop Trail

If they can do it, we can do it. The Red Rock Legacy Trail is next! ... See MoreSee Less

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  • Likes: 63
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9 CommentsComment on Facebook

Congratulations!

I looked up the new paths for Red Rock so look forward to using them.

One of the BEST bike trails in the USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love it!

Elizabeth Keegans

I can’t believe its been 25 years John Holman!

looks so awesome, look forward to an organized inaugural group ride

John Holman and Ron Floth are rockstars!

Are they ever going to fill the horrible cracks on RMLT??

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River Mountains Loop Trail
1 month ago
River Mountains Loop Trail
Thank you for enjoying the RMLT Celebration - Picnic/Potluck with us today!

Thank you for enjoying the RMLT Celebration - Picnic/Potluck with us today! ... See MoreSee Less

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1 CommentComment on Facebook

Sorry I missed your get together I rode the American Lung Association ride yesterday, I what to touch base with your group about You need to take a look at mile marker 11.5 to 13.5 large cracks in the road. And thank your River Mountain Loop

River Mountains Loop Trail
1 month ago
River Mountains Loop Trail

Come join us in celebrating the 25th year of the River Mountains Loop Trail! We will be gathering at lower Equestrian Park from 11:00-1:00pm on Saturday, November 4th for a community pot-luck. Bring your chair and something to share. 🚶🏇🚴‍♀️ ... See MoreSee Less

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6 CommentsComment on Facebook

Please join us tomorrow for a lovely picnic at Lower Equestrian Park. We will have a few activities for the kids and distribute information about the RMLT.

Choose your own adventure and enjoy the trail from 8:00-11:00 am. Let us know what your favorite part of the RMLT is. What do you enjoy most about the trail?

Sorry to be negative but I don't know how we can celebrate something that is not functioning properly. Tires are flattening from the large gaps. It is throughout the entire RMT with the exception of the new part of the RMT on the Boulder City. This was once an awesome trail.

In 2003 I remember riding the three sisters from the dirt lot on Lake Mead to the end which was around 3 miles.

Carla Jo Panico Darcy Walker Fitch Mary Fitch

The large CRACKS in the road 

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