We Found a 95-Year-Old Mine Powerhouse — Then Things Got Interesting
Ghost Towns and Mines of Washington
21,461 views
In the mountains of Western Washington lies a 1890s gold and silver mine that continued producing ore well into the 1930s—and what remains today is incredible.
On this exploration, we uncover the remains of the mine’s old powerhouse, where original equipment still sits almost a century after mining ceased. From there, we make our way to the upper workings, discovering artifacts left behind by the miners who once worked here.
But the real adventure begins at the lower tunnel.
This turned out to be one of the sketchiest mines we have ever explored. Years of collapse, decay, water, and unstable ground have taken their toll, and every turn seemed to reveal another reminder of just how unforgiving these old workings can be.
Along the way, we encounter an incredible collection of historic mining artifacts, equipment, and remnants of the operation that help tell the story of the men who worked this mountain from the late 1800s through the Depression era.
Many ghost towns, mines and other forgotten historic sites in Washington State have already disappeared from history and many more are being lost each year to the ravages of time, wildfire, vandalism, and intentional closure. In addition to our many years of photographic documentation of these important historic sites we are now attempting to video document as many sites as we can so there is a lasting record of these places for future generations.
We hope you enjoy what we do and will join us on our adventures through a bygone era of Washingtons rich history. Not only do we love the history we explore and document, but we truly enjoy sharing these sites and experiences with our followers and viewers.
We appreciate you and thank you for Watching!!
#exploringabandonedmines #abandonedmine #mineexploring #abandoned #mining #history #mines #adit #shaft #underground #minerals #silvermine #goldmine #urbex #caves #artifacts #washingtonstate
Instagram www.instagram.com/ghost.wa
Facebook www.facebook.com/ghosttownsofwashington
Website www.ghosttownsofwashington.com
TikTok tiktok.com/@ghost.towns.of.wa
20 Comments
I always enjoy your videos, entertaining and informative!
"Based on the unique combination of the 4½-inch bore, the 4-cylinder L-head (flathead) gasoline design, and the distinctive YTU casting mark, your engine is a vintage Buda Model YTU industrial heavy-duty engine.
The Buda Engine Company (later acquired by Allis-Chalmers) was a prominent manufacturer of robust industrial power units during the 1920s and 1930s. They frequently supplied engines to major air compressor manufacturers of the pre-WWII era, including Gardner Denver and Sullivan, because their heavy-duty flywheels and high-torque torque curves were perfectly suited to drive deep-cycle reciprocating compressors.
Technical Breakdown of Your EngineManufacturer: Buda Engine Company (Harvey, Illinois)Model Series: YTU (often part of Buda's heavy industrial line alongside the HTU and KTU models)
Configuration: 4-Cylinder, Inline, L-Head (valves in the block, flat cylinder head)
Bore Size: 4½ inches (explicitly cast on your cylinder head)
Block Casting Number: GE166
Head Casting Numbers: GE164 and YTU
Key Identification Indicators
The "YTU" Designation: Buda designated their engine families using a three-letter code. The "YTU" was specifically a heavy-displacement 4-cylinder engine designed between the late 1910s and late 1930s for heavy trucks, tractors, and stationary industrial equipment (like tow-behind air compressors).
The 4½" Bore Size: Industrial L-head engines of this era featured massive displacements per cylinder to generate maximum torque at low RPMs. A 4½-inch bore paired with a typical Buda long-stroke design puts this engine's displacement well over 300 cubic inches for just four cylinders.
The "GE" Casting Prefix: The alphanumeric prefixes (GE166 and GE164) match the casting numbering system used by Buda's foundry during the interwar period to distinguish individual component designs (block vs. cylinder head options).If you plan to source replacement components like gaskets or valves, searching vintage tractor and industrial machinery archives specifically for the Buda YTU will yield the correct technical manuals."
We Found a 95-Year-Old Mine Powerhouse — Then Things Got Interesting
Ghost Towns and Mines of Washington
21,461 views
In the mountains of Western Washington lies a 1890s gold and silver mine that continued producing ore well into the 1930s—and what remains today is incredible.
On this exploration, we uncover the remains of the mine’s old powerhouse, where original equipment still sits almost a century after mining ceased. From there, we make our way to the upper workings, discovering artifacts left behind by the miners who once worked here.
But the real adventure begins at the lower tunnel.
This turned out to be one of the sketchiest mines we have ever explored. Years of collapse, decay, water, and unstable ground have taken their toll, and every turn seemed to reveal another reminder of just how unforgiving these old workings can be.
Along the way, we encounter an incredible collection of historic mining artifacts, equipment, and remnants of the operation that help tell the story of the men who worked this mountain from the late 1800s through the Depression era.
Many ghost towns, mines and other forgotten historic sites in Washington State have already disappeared from history and many more are being lost each year to the ravages of time, wildfire, vandalism, and intentional closure. In addition to our many years of photographic documentation of these important historic sites we are now attempting to video document as many sites as we can so there is a lasting record of these places for future generations.
We hope you enjoy what we do and will join us on our adventures through a bygone era of Washingtons rich history. Not only do we love the history we explore and document, but we truly enjoy sharing these sites and experiences with our followers and viewers.
We appreciate you and thank you for Watching!!
#exploringabandonedmines #abandonedmine #mineexploring #abandoned #mining #history #mines #adit #shaft #underground #minerals #silvermine #goldmine #urbex #caves #artifacts #washingtonstate
Instagram www.instagram.com/ghost.wa
Facebook www.facebook.com/ghosttownsofwashington
Website www.ghosttownsofwashington.com
TikTok tiktok.com/@ghost.towns.of.wa
You are definitely the King of mines!