Aladdin Tipple - Aladdin, WY - Mines on Waymarking.com

At one time, it was possible to get closer to the tipple, but despite previous restoration efforts, it is very unstable. It is now protected by barbed wire and signs warning against trespass. There are a total of eight signs that provide information about the tipple: One is in front of the old truck scale near the entry to the park, four are in front of the tipple, and the remaining three are at the top of the hill. All are protected by the fence that protects the tipple -- and you -- but all are readable. Together, they include some vintage photos and provide enough information for a narrative:

The coal tipple is at the site of old Bakertown, and Aladdin is the last coal mining settlement of those that included Barrett Town and Hay Creek. This was "Aladdin No. 1", which began operation in 1898, operated by the Black Hills Coal Co. A train line carried coal from Aladdin to nearby Belle Fourche, SD and then to parts elsewhere.

Of course, it was common to use immigrants from all over as labor, not only because they worked cheaply, but also because language was often a barrier to communication, which impeded their banding together and unionizing. An 1899 report indicated that the average number of men employed was 35, but that year, they had 80. Coal Mining 101 is basically that a miner would "soften up" a coal face with a pick, plant charges, blast, and then shovel the coal into cars for transport out of the mine. One sign mentions two significant accidents that happened, but it doesn't sound like they were common.

The tipple consists of two parts: The coal bin is the large gable-roofed structure, where coal was received and sorted, while the chutes would further sort and carry the coal, using gravity, to the bottom. The remains of a catwalk are visible on the east side of the tipple, and an operator on the catwalk would help to guide the coal as it made its progress downwards. You can get a peek at the entrance and hoist house by following the path up to the top of the hill. You'll also pass the old fan housing, which was installed in later years to improve ventilation.

The mine had its peak year in 1901 when it produced 40,000 tons of coal, but by 1911, it was down to 1,000 tons. Focus had shifted away from industrial production by 1911, and later efforts were for domestic use such as heating and cooking. By the 1940s, operations had ceased, and the mine entrance was blown shut by the end of the decade over obvious concerns about an open adit. Besides Mother Nature's normal wear and tear as she attempts to pull down the tipple, there is an interesting sign at the top of the hill about bioremediation and how the coal waste ("slack"), fungus, and trees on the site are all working together to clean up the mess that mankind left behind when the mine was closed.

Mine Type: Abandoned Mine Mineral Collecting: Yes Material Mined: Coal, Lignite Operation: Underground Mine Surface Features: Yes KNOWN DANGERS: Signs warn against approaching the tipple, and barbed wire fences should reinforce for those who don't read the signs that the tipple is unstable and could collapse at any time. Not only should visitors avoid being the one who brought down the tipple, but those selfies are of no value under a pile of rubble. You can collect whatever mineral samples you can find, so long as you're not where you're not supposed to be. Otherwise, take only photographs, leave only footprints. Any associated website: [Web Link] Any Other information: Aladdin's general store, built in 1896, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, for those who have the time and who can resist the pull of Devil's Tower, not far from here.

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Date Logged Log User Rating   10/02/2022 Tom.dog visited it