Nicholas R. Steele - Pacific Lutheran University

photo by Steele 2010
presented by:
Nicholas R. Steele
Pacific Lutheran University
2010 undergraduate research with Claire Todd Ph. D.

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165
Carbon River
5mi
Maps created with ARC GIS

28 27
Coke
Ovens
Wilkeson Creek
165
N
Map from ARC GIS

Wilkeson Creek
N
Map P1 A - Schasse et al. 1994

Bunker house to
load train cars
Coke ovens
http://www.wa-trust.org/mostendangered/current_photos.htm

photo by Steele 2010

photos by Steele 2010

• Relationship between PLU and Wilkeson
• Develop ‘learning kit’
• Future opportunities for PLU students:
already have opportunities for Environmental Studies,
Biology, Chemistry, Business, Education, Performing Arts,
History, and other majors

This research was made possible by the generous contributions from the
WIANCKO Charitable Foundation, thank you.
I would also like to extend a sincere thanks to the many individuals who contributed
to this project, especially Burt Gonzales and Mayor Donna Hogerhuis.
Finally, thanks to Claire Todd Ph. D., Dr. Rebekah Mergenthal Ph. D., William Teska
Ph. D.,
and my fellow researchers Trevor Perkins, Matthew Hegland, Michael Vermeulen,
and the PLU Environmental Studies Department.

Green, S.H. 1947, Coal and Coal Mining in Washington, Department of Conservation and Development, Division of Mines and Geology, Olympia State Printing Plant pp 34-37
Gonzales, B (2010) personal interview, Wilkeson, July 7, 2010.
Hall, N.I. (1986) South Willis, Carbon River Heritage, issue 2, monthly periodical published by Heritage Quest, pp 1-5.
Hall, N.I. (1986) South Willis, How Coke is made, issue 2, monthly periodical published by Heritage Quest, pp 12.
Hall, N.I. (1980) Carbonado Centennial 1880-1980 celebrated August 2 nd , 1980, pamphlet, PLU library NISQ
899 C37 H35X 1980.
Hall, N.I. (1980) Carbon River Coal Country, 227 Courier Herald Pub. Co. Enumclaw, WA.
Kendra, W. (1987), Effects of infiltration and inflow on Wilkeson Wastewater Treatment Plant: findings of a limited class II inspection and receiving water survey, 18 pp., WA
Ecology., Olympia, WA.
Kombol, W (unk) Coal Mining in an east Pierce County area known as Pittsburg (1889-1909), Spiketon (1910-1916), and finally Morristown (1917-1927), Historylink.org, Essay
8262, accessed Aug 13, 2010, http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=8262
McBroom, M. (2004), Washington Undermined: the toxic legacy of abandoned metal mines in Washington State, 20 pp., Washington Private Interest Research Group
Foundation, Seattle, WA.
Martinson, A.D., 1966, Mount Rainier National Park: First Years: Forest History, Vol. 10, No. 3 (Oct. 1966), pp. 26-33
Merryman, K. (2010), Endangered history: Wilkeson’s Coke Oven Park, The News Tribune
Norman, D. K., 2000, Washington’s inactive and abandoned metal mine inventory and database: Washington Geology, v. 28, no. 1/2, p. 16-18.
Pringle, P.T. (2008), Roadside Geology of Mount Rainier National Park and Vicinity, Information Circular 107, 190pp., Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources,
Olympia, WA.
Schasse, H.W.; Koler, M.L.; Eberle, N.A.; Christie, R.A., 1994 The Washington Coal Mine Map Collection: A Catalog, Index, and User’s Guide. Washington Division of Geology
and Earth Resources, Open File Report 94-7
Thorson, G.W., 1961, Information Circular No. 35: Directory of Washington Mining Operation 1960: State of Washington, Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and
Geology
Thompson, E.N., 1981 (book) Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, historic resource study, National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior
Valentine, G. M. (1960), Inventory of Washington Minerals Part I Second Edition - Nonmetallic Minerals, Volume I Text, Bulletin No. 37, 175 pp., WA Department of
Conservation, Olympia, WA.
Washington Geological Survey, Bulletin 23, 1921 pp 311-313
Wolff, F. (2010) personal interview, Olympia, June 25, 2010

Burnett bridge looking south on
HWY 165 over South Prairie Creek
photo by Steele 2010

Burnett mines 1918. Taken before the bridge was
built. Cars came out of the mine and across the
gulch on the tracks
A Pictorial History of Pierce County, Vol. II.

Foundations for former Burnett bridge leading to mine
photosby Steele 2010

Lower Burnett, early 1900’s, the original town.
A Pictorial History of Pierce County, Vol. II.

photos by Steele 2010

photos by Steele 2010
A Pictorial History of
Pierce County, Vol. II.

• What are the possibilities for these mining
relics?

• Which plants are more adept at
recolonizing the coal- rich mining wastes?
• What are the larger implications ?
photo by Steele 2010

Wilkeson mine area
Primary mine entrance (bellow)
flooded when beaver dam was
constructed
photos by Steele 2010

photos by Steele 2010
Remnants in Wilkeson
Creek in the vicinity
of Wilkeson Mine

Example of standard slant of
Puget Group deposits of the Eocene age
50 to 60⁰
photo by Steele 2010

410
Buckley
South
Prairie
Burnett
Wilkeson
† Pittsburg / Spiketon / Morristown
† South Willis
Puyallup River
Carbonado
(Carbondale)
† Melmont
† Montezuma
† Fairfax
† Manley-Moore
165
Carbon River
161

South Willis
photos by Steele 2010

Double Rainbow Lake
(now known as Kepka Pond)
Located 1.5 mi East/North-East of
Wilkeson on Railroad Ave (Quinnon
Ext. Rd.). Within the boundaries of
Sunset Lake Camp*
10 +/- Coal seams in Spiketon /
South Willis area
The mining operation which opened
South Willis would continue on to
establish Spiketon as well.
N
South Willis coke ovens
* Visitors must request permission to access Sunset Lake Camp, (360) 829-0311

photo by Steele 2010
South Willis coke ovens (1903), picture from North side

photos by Steele 2010
South Willis coke ovens,
picture from South side

photo by Steele 2010