Amador County – Jackson City Council is kicking off new efforts to preserve the Kennedy Mine Tailing Wheel Number 4 and make significant improvements to Kennedy Wheel Park, by reprinting for sale some historic booklets about the wheels.

City Manager Mike Daly released details Friday to let the public know that the effort is under way, and that the reprinted booklets are available for purchase – “just in time for the holidays.” The fundraiser has reprinted the original “Kennedy Wheels” historical booklet, written by Evelyn Garbarini, as told by Emmet Garbarini. It is now for sale at City Hall and other area retail locations.

The “booklet describes the role these massive structures played in keeping the Kennedy Mine operating in the early 20th century and includes many historical photos showing the hard rock mine landscape of Jackson,” Daly said.

Eleven years ago, the City used a $150,000 grant from California Department of Transportation to complete structural repairs and remove decay from Wheel 4, but “the decay continues to occur in its exposed condition at the top of the hill in Kennedy Tailing Wheel Park on Jackson Gate Road.”

The Jackson City Council has formed its “Save the Wheel Number 4 Committee” to raise funds and develop plans to preserve the wheel and refurbish Kennedy Tailing Wheel Park. Vice Mayor Keith Sweet is chairing the Committee.

Kennedy Tailing Wheel booklets are now available and will be sold to help preserve Tailing Wheel Number 4 from the deterioration and decay that led to the demise of Tailing Wheels Number 2 and Number 3.

To begin raising funds, the Committee has reprinted the booklet. This is the eighth edition, and the city is selling them for $7.50 per copy. Booklets are available at City Hall, the Amador County Chamber of Commerce, Kennedy Mine Gift Shop, Hein & Company Bookstore and the Bubble Gum Book Store in Sutter Creek.

All funds generated will go toward this project and serve as matching funds for a $596,000 grant the City is again seeking from Caltrans.

Daly said “when the new project is completed, the park will offer a refurbished kiosk with a panoramic storyboard detailing the wheels’ history.” It will have “new interpretive signage identifying key elements of the park, improved access to each feature of the park.” The drive will also give a “preserved Wheel Number 4, shelter by a sheet metal building similar to the original structure that surrounded it, only with a see-through front showing the whole height of this magnificent structure.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.