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Kingston was founded along the Percha Creek beneath the rugged Black Range mountains in 1882, when prospector Jack Sheddon made a rich silver strike. Word spread, and almost overnight Kingston became a mining boom town. Despite pioneer hardships, smallpox and Apache attacks, it grew. During the 1880s and 1890s the mines around Kingston produced a staggering amount of high grade ore. By the turn of the century the total value of the silver extracted from the local mines amounted to well over six million dollars. The mineral wealth of the area drove the growth of the town which by 1890 would eventually be home to some 7000 residents, with all the goods and services that a settlement of that size requires. Twenty two saloons, 14 stores and three newspapers along with numerous boarding houses, and an Opera House gives some idea of just how busy this place once was. A stage line connected Kingston to Hillsboro, Lake Valley, and the railroad at Nutt. Lillian Russell, Mark Twain, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid all visited this colorful community, known as the “gem of the Black Range.” Kingston was also home to Albert Fall and Edward Doheny who were involved in the famous Teapot Dome Scandal of the 1920s. Against the backdrop of Indian raids, boom or bust mining and the generally hard life of the 1880's, the people of Kingston made the best of it. They worked hard, played hard and were not at all shy about having a good time when given the opportunity. |
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