Mineral Creek

The army left the San Pedro River and traveled north along the Gila River to the mouth of Mineral Creek. There they found a large campsite with grass for the livestock.

Kearny’s camp on Mineral Creek a few hundred feet north of the Gila River. This is the modern community of Kelvin, AZ. Tom Jonas photo.

“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.”

Mineral Creek as it empties into the Gila River. Tom Jonas photo

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