Lieutenant Emory's account:

November 7, 1846.--Our camp was on a flat sandy plain, of small extent, at the mouth of a dry creek, with deep washed banks, giving the appearance of containing, at times, a rapid and powerful stream, although no water was visible in the bed.  At the junction, a clear, pure stream flowed from under the sand.  From the many indications of gold and copper ore at this place, I have named it Mineral Creek; and I doubt not a few years will see flat-boats descending the river from this point to its mouth, freighted with its precious ores.

Editor's note: Today there is a large open pit copper mine just north of here in the valley of Mineral Creek.

Where is Mineral Creek?