Surviving in Ashcroft: A Pint for a Long Winter’s Night

^ The Blue Mirror Saloon was still in business when this picture was taken c. 1920. Inset: a thirsty crowd outside—and in (below).

Surviving in Ashcroft A Pint For A Long Winter’s Night

Typical of all mining camps, Ashcroft sported its share of saloons.

As soon as the first tents sprang up, a saloon keeper was there to "wet the whistles" of thirsty miners. Ashcroft supported 16 to 20 saloons during its heyday. On average, nearly three-quarters of the male population of mining camps was single. Saloons, bars, and men’s clubs offered the lonely miner a social diversion. Tabulations from mining engineer Charles Armstrong’s 1900 diary showed that he spent 10% or $14 of his $142 yearly income on liquor. He frequently remarked that he had spent his money for "no good."

Naturalist Note:

The ptarmigan—a grouse-like bird which lives in the area above timberline—produces ethanol in its intestines to survive cold winter nights.
© Paula Chandler Illustration

Back to "Thar's Silver in Them Thar Hills"	.	END of Surviving in Ashcroft
"Living with the Land" interpretive stops >