John Muir is considered the father of our national park system. He wrote many books, letters, and essays about his adventures in nature. The following excerpt comes from the book Steep Trails. In it, Muir describes his own observations about early towns in America.

Question

John Muir is considered the father of our national park system. He wrote many books, letters, and essays about his adventures in nature. The following excerpt comes from the book Steep Trails. In it, Muir describes his own observations about early towns in America.

1 Nevada is one of the very youngest and wildest of the states; nevertheless, it is already scattered with ruins that seem as gray and silent and time-worn as a century old civilization. All these ruins are results of mining efforts made within the last few years. Throughout the wilderness of Nevada, you come upon these dead mining towns everywhere.

2 While exploring the mountain ranges of the state during three summers, I have seen at least five of these deserted towns and villages. Some of them were probably only camps built by bands of prospectors, inhabited for a few months or years, and then carelessly abandoned for more promising fields. Many were real towns, regularly laid out and incorporated, containing well-built hotels, churches, schoolhouses, post offices, and jails, as well as the mills on which they all depended.

3 A Californian prospector would discover some rich ore. The news fell among excited seekers after wealth like sparks in gunpowder, and in a few days the wilderness was disturbed with the noisy clang of miners and builders. A little town would then spring up, and before anything like a careful survey of any particular lode would be made, a company would be formed, and expensive mills built. Then, after all the machinery was ready for the ore, perhaps little, or none at all, was found. Meanwhile, someone reported another discovery, and the seekers abandoned the young town.

4 Passing through the dead town of Schellbourne last month, I asked one of the few lingering inhabitants why the town was built. "For the mines," he replied. "And why were they abandoned?" I asked. "Are they exhausted?" "Oh, no," he replied, "they are not exhausted; on the contrary, they have never been worked at all, for unfortunately, just as we were about ready to open them, the Cherry Creek mines were discovered across the valley in the Egan range, and everybody rushed off there, taking what they could with them -- houses, machinery, and all "

5 The dead mining excitements of Nevada were far more intense and destructive than those of California. In the search for wealth, the seekers too often became insane, striking about blindly in the dark like raving madmen. This craving for wealth gave rise to one of the most violent excitements that ever occurred in the history of mining. All kinds of people -- shoemakers, tailors, farmers, etc., as well as miners -- left their own right work and fell in a perfect storm of energy upon the White Pine Hills. They covered the ground like grasshoppers, determined by the very violence of their efforts to turn every stone to silver. But with few exceptions, these mining storms passed away about as suddenly as they had risen. Only ruins are left to show the tremendous energy expended.

6 The wealth Nevada has already given to the world is indeed wonderful, but the only grand marvel is the energy expended in its development. The pure waste visible in the ruins of the towns never fails to produce a saddening effect.

7 The dim old ruins of Europe, so eagerly sought after by travelers, have something pleasing about them, whatever their historical associations. They at least lend some beauty to the landscape. Their picturesque towers and arches seem to be kindly adopted by nature and planted with wildflowers and wreathed with ivy. Their rugged angles are soothed and freshened and embossed with green mosses, fresh life and decay mingling in pleasing measures. The old ruins of the East have also served their time, and like the weather-beaten mountains, are wasting harmoniously. The same is in some degree true of the dead mining towns of California.

8 But those lying to the eastward of the Sierra throughout the ranges of the Great Basin waste in the dry wilderness like the bones of cattle that have died of thirst. Many of them do not represent any good accomplishment and have no right to be. They are monuments of fraud and ignorance -- sins against science. The drifts and tunnels in the rocks may perhaps be regarded as the prayers of the prospector, offered for the wealth he so earnestly craves. Like prayers of any kind not in harmony with nature, they are unanswered. But, after all, effort, however misapplied, is better than stagnation. Better to toil blindly, beating every stone in turn for grains of gold, whether they contain any or not, than to lie down in apathetic decay. You have read the passage “Steep Trails - Ch. 16, ‘Nevada’s Dead Towns’” about the abandoned mining towns that scatter the American West.

Write an essay explaining whether or not you think the ghost mining towns should have been constructed in the first place. Are they eyesores as Muir suggests, or are they perhaps evidence of the country’s growth? Be sure to support your position with clear reasons, evidence, and quotes from the passage. Address counter arguments to your position, explaining why your position is supported by the evidence in the passage.

Your writing will be scored based on the development of ideas, organization of writing, and language conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Answer 1

Bot GPT 4-o mini answered
2 hours ago

The Ghost Mining Towns: A Double-Edged Legacy

The ghost mining towns scattered across Nevada evoke mixed feelings, as highlighted by John Muir in his insightful essay from Steep Trails. On one hand, Muir depicts these abandoned settlements as "monuments of fraud and ignorance," remnants of failed ventures that represent a misapplication of energy and resources. On the other hand, they also serve as testament to the relentless human spirit striving for prosperity, symbolizing an era of exploration and ambition. Ultimately, while Muir's perspective underscores the waste associated with these towns, I contend that their construction can be seen as a necessary part of the nation's growth—a reflection of the adventurous spirit that defined an era of American history.

Muir describes the phenomenon of ghost towns against a backdrop of both despair and tenacity. He notes, "The dead mining excitements of Nevada were far more intense and destructive than those of California," characterizing the frenzied energy that led to the rapid establishment of towns based on little more than rumor of riches. This frenzy sometimes resulted in towns being built only to be abandoned shortly after, leaving behind "ruins that seem as gray and silent and time-worn." While Muir views these sites with a sense of melancholy, they also embody the pioneering essence of the American spirit. The pursuit of opportunity, no matter the outcome, reflects the courage to seek new horizons—a critical element of national identity.

One might argue, as Muir does, that the lack of fruitful results from these mining efforts renders the towns unnecessary or even wasteful. He poignantly remarks that the ruins "never fail to produce a saddening effect," emphasizing the aesthetic and emotional burden they impose on the landscape. However, this perspective overlooks the potential for growth and learning that such ventures embody. Each mining town, regardless of its transient existence, was a step in the broader narrative of American expansion and industry. The energy expended by prospectors—though often misguided—represents the drive to innovate and explore. As Muir himself states, "effort, however misapplied, is better than stagnation." This sentiment underscores a fundamental truth about growth: progress often comes from risk, experimentation, and even failure.

Moreover, the mining towns, with their fast construction and subsequent abandonment, serve as historical markers that offer insight into the American psyche during the Gold Rush era. They signify not just the pursuit of wealth but also the spirit of community that emerged in facing the hardships of frontier life. Despite their status as ruins, these towns tell stories of bold individuals who dared to dream. Muir acknowledges this vibrancy, hinting that the "energies expended" in their creation are noteworthy in themselves, contributing to a richer understanding of America's past.

In reflecting on Muir's views, it is essential to also consider the environmental and ethical implications of mining practices during this era. The towns symbolize not only human ambition but also the environmental degradation often accompanying such intensive resource extraction. Muir’s lament about the "pure waste visible in the ruins" suggests a need for mindful stewardship of natural resources, a lesson that remains relevant today. While the ghost towns may stand as eyesores, they also serve as powerful reminders of the mistakes made in the unchecked pursuit of wealth, prompting contemporary society to reflect on the balance between progress and preservation.

In conclusion, although John Muir paints a somber picture of Nevada's abandoned mining towns, I believe that their existence should not be viewed solely as a regrettable blight on the landscape. Instead, these ghost towns represent the spirit of exploration and the quest for growth that have shaped the nation. They stand not as desolate reminders of failure, but as historical artifacts reflecting persistent human endeavor and the lessons learned from the past. The legacy of these towns encapsulates both the triumphs and tribulations of American expansion, offering vital insights into the complex narrative of national development.