Mariscal Mining Company
The Mariscal Mine was a mercury mining operation in the southern part of what is now Big Bend National Park. The mine operated until World War II, producing nearly a quarter of all the mercury produced in the U.S. from 1900 to 1943. This is now on the National Register of Historic Places but is very difficult to visit on account of its remoteness.
The brick building on the left side of the image contained the ovens in which the operation baked the ore to extract the mercury. Over the years, the bricks became so permeated with mercury that visitors are advised to not touch the bricks due to the possibility of heavy metal poisoning. Otherwise, visitors can wander all over the area. There is a mine entrance on the far side of the building.
Mariscal Mining Company
The Mariscal Mine was a mercury mining operation in the southern part of what is now Big Bend National Park. The mine operated until World War II, producing nearly a quarter of all the mercury produced in the U.S. from 1900 to 1943. This is now on the National Register of Historic Places but is very difficult to visit on account of its remoteness.
The brick building on the left side of the image contained the ovens in which the operation baked the ore to extract the mercury. Over the years, the bricks became so permeated with mercury that visitors are advised to not touch the bricks due to the possibility of heavy metal poisoning. Otherwise, visitors can wander all over the area. There is a mine entrance on the far side of the building.