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Early buildings at the mine
1890
Silver King Mine, Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

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Stopeing Ore possibly at Silver King Mine
1890
Silver King Mine, Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

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The early years of development at the Silver King mine were hampered by obstacles for the Halls. Shortly after the discovery a group from Victoria jumped the claim and a period of uncertainty followed as lawsuits were threatened. Meanwhile, an anonymous individual from Victoria became involved in the financial development of the Silver King. Later identified as R.D. Atkins, he offered to aid in the case of the claim jumpers and to continue financial assistance in return for a significant interest in the mine. An agreement was struck. In November 1890 the claim jumpers withdrew their lawsuit and although Atkins died shortly after, his interest passed into other hands.

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Log Boarding House at the Silver King Mine
1890
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

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Dignitaries visiting the Silver King Mine
1890
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

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The Silver King was a hard rock mine and as such required large sums of capital for development. By 1891 the Silver King was in urgent need of capital. McDonald visited Scotland and through the Kootenay Bonanza Co. managed to raise sufficient capital to finance operations for a further period of time.

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Visitors standing at the entrance to a tunnel at the Silver King Mine.
1896
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

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However, by 1893, McDonald found himself back in Britain accompanied by Winslow Hall and Mr. Croasdaile (also involved in the management of the mine) to seek a buyer for the company. After nine months a deal was struck and the original owners received the handsome sum of one million dollars for their claims. On October 31, 1893 the Hall Mines Co. Ltd. of England was registered in Victoria.

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Hauling a steam boiler to the Silver King Mine.
1896
Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

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The Hall Mining and Smelting Company Smelter.
1896
Nelson, B.C

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The formation of the Hall Mines Co. led the people of Nelson to believe that the potential of the Silver King would finally be realized. During the spring of 1894 new, modern machinery arrived at the Silver King - air powered drills, diamond drills, air compressing plant and ore crushing machinery. Extensive development of the ore bodies commenced and preparations began for the construction of an aerial tramway linking the Silver King to the proposed smelter in Nelson.

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Old Glory Hole
July, 2005
Silver King Mine, Toad Mountain, near Nelson B.C

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Text by Helen Lee