New Idria

The discovery of a rich cinnabar deposit near Santa Clara, California in1848 led to the opening of the New Almaden Quicksilver Mine, named after the world's largest quicksilver producer in Almaden, Spain. Soon after, a small team prospecting in the rugged mountains of the southern Diablo range about 80 miles south of Santa Clara discovered another rich cinnabar deposit and they quickly formed the New Idria Quicksilver Mining Company, which is named after the world's second largest quicksilver producer in Idrija, Slovenia. The small town of New Idria grew up around the mine to support the homes, business and milling for the New Idria mining operations. The mine and town closed in 1972 and has since become an abandoned ghost town. New Idria is State Historic Landmark # 324.

Idria as viewed from the hills

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Rotary Furnace Building
The furnace building, constructed in 1918, contain the four original Gould Rotary Furnaces.

Idria viewed from the east

The New Idria Quicksilver Mining District is a significant part of San Benito County history.