Original Amador Mine (Little Amador), Amador City

The Original Amador Mine (Little Amador) is located in Amador City, which can be seen well from the Amador City School House.

Opened in 1852 from six claims. Renamed Original Amador Consolidated working till 1918. Reopened in 1935 till 1937. Shaft reached 1238’. Total production was $3,500,000.

This mine was discovered by Thomas Rickey and his son, and opened in 1852. This was one of the first mines to pay dividends in Amador County. In 1854 it exchanged hands to some Germans, who ran it until 1857. After the mine began failing, the work ceased in 1858.

The mine was sold to Haverstick and Leninger from Ione for only $250.00. Leninger then leased the mine J.T. Burke, who gave him fifty percent of the profits. By 1862, the work ceased again but did make a Leninger a $8,000 profit

The mine was sold to John C. Fane and the hoisting works and mill were rebuilt and the mine began to produce. The mine then sold again to a English company for $6,000. A 40 stamp mill was completed in 1872. This company actually spent more than they made

The Original Amador Consolidated Mines Company took over the mine in 1908. The Original Amador Mine closed for good in 1918 after having a better production year, the year before.