Cudahy Camp was a small settlement that sprouted in 1923 with the founding of a nearby pumicite mine, “Old Dutch Cleanser Mine”. Many old timers would remember the product of the mine as the all purpose cleaner, ‘Old Dutch Cleanser”. The mine, visible high on the cliffs of the El Paso Mountains, was worked by only 12 men, producing 100 tons of pumicite a week. The mine was a super producer until its demise in 1947 when increasing competition and resulting price wars took its toll on the operation. Much like the Extensive Borax mining outfits of Nevada. Competition was so fierce that a competitor opened shop over the next mountain side, The Holy Ash Mine, located only a few miles away.

The settlement itself has been reduced to a handful of concrete foundations lining the trail through the Last Chance Canyon where a natural spring flows freely much of the year.

Overlooking Cudahy Camp, entering Last Chance Canyon from the West


Strange mountain side room across the wash from the camp


Mill Ruins. Tailings used to be transported down the mountain side by tram.