Louis Boucher: Difference between revisions
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In 1891, Boucher decided to stake his own claim on the Grand Canyon, settling by Dripping Springs Basin, which provided a natural spring of fresh water to those living near or passing through the Canyon. Boucher built a camp for himself and a corral for his mules and sheep. Living in such an isolated area earned Boucher his nickname; "the Hermit". At one point, during his occupation near Dripping Springs, Boucher assisted in the search and rescue of two lost men in the Canyon. He utilized the tools he knew best as a miner - explosives. Boucher reasoned that setting off explosive dynamite would attract the men toward the search party and provide some form of bearings- however, the two men were found later to have drowned in the Colorado River.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Drew |first1=Daryl |title=Louis Boucher: Canadian Guide Of The Grand Canyon |url=https://www.cowboycountrymagazine.com/2016/02/louis-boucher-canadian-guide-of-the-grand-canyon/ |website=Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine |publisher=Tanner Young |accessdate=8 August 2018 |date=October 2015}}</ref> |
In 1891, Boucher decided to stake his own claim on the Grand Canyon, settling by Dripping Springs Basin, which provided a natural spring of fresh water to those living near or passing through the Canyon. Boucher built a camp for himself and a corral for his mules and sheep. Living in such an isolated area earned Boucher his nickname; "the Hermit". At one point, during his occupation near Dripping Springs, Boucher assisted in the search and rescue of two lost men in the Canyon. He utilized the tools he knew best as a miner - explosives. Boucher reasoned that setting off explosive dynamite would attract the men toward the search party and provide some form of bearings- however, the two men were found later to have drowned in the Colorado River.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Drew |first1=Daryl |title=Louis Boucher: Canadian Guide Of The Grand Canyon |url=https://www.cowboycountrymagazine.com/2016/02/louis-boucher-canadian-guide-of-the-grand-canyon/ |website=Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine |publisher=Tanner Young |accessdate=8 August 2018 |date=October 2015}}</ref> |
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Beside Boucher's camp, now known as Hermit's Rest<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nplas.org/hermitcamp.html|title=Hermit Camp National Park Lodge Architecture Society|website=www.nplas.org|access-date=2018-08-29}}</ref>, was a small yet sustainable copper mine<ref>{{cite web |last1=James |first1=George |title=Dripping Spring And The Boucher Trail |url=http://www.oocities.org/shioshya/hermit1a.html |website=Geo Cities |accessdate=8 August 2018}}</ref>, which allowed Boucher to meet his financial needs. Boucher later hand-carved the Silver Bell Trail, an homage to Calamity Jane's signature silver bell, which stretched from Dripping Springs to Columbus Point, and to Boucher Canyon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.grcahistory.org/sites_rimtoriverandinnercanyon_bouchertrail.html|title=NCHGC: Sites and Stories: Rim to River: Boucher Trail|website=www.grcahistory.org|access-date=2018-08-29}}</ref> Within his camp, Boucher planted an orchard home to 75 pomegranate, fig, and orange trees, |
Beside Boucher's camp, now known as Hermit's Rest<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nplas.org/hermitcamp.html|title=Hermit Camp National Park Lodge Architecture Society|website=www.nplas.org|access-date=2018-08-29}}</ref>, was a small yet sustainable copper mine<ref>{{cite web |last1=James |first1=George |title=Dripping Spring And The Boucher Trail |url=http://www.oocities.org/shioshya/hermit1a.html |website=Geo Cities |accessdate=8 August 2018}}</ref>, which allowed Boucher to meet his financial needs. Boucher later hand-carved the Silver Bell Trail, an homage to Calamity Jane's signature silver bell, which stretched from Dripping Springs to Columbus Point, and to Boucher Canyon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.grcahistory.org/sites_rimtoriverandinnercanyon_bouchertrail.html|title=NCHGC: Sites and Stories: Rim to River: Boucher Trail|website=www.grcahistory.org|access-date=2018-08-29}}</ref> Within his camp, Boucher planted an orchard home to 75 pomegranate, fig, and orange trees, fueled by a simple irrigation system he created himself. He additionally built cabins along his property for tourists to stay in. |
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Louis Boucher left his home in 1912 to seek work in a coal mine in Moreland, [[Utah]]. The town was abandoned due to unprofitable coal production in 1938. Boucher never returned to his camp by Dripping Springs again. |
Louis Boucher left his home in 1912 to seek work in a coal mine in Moreland, [[Utah]]. The town was abandoned due to unprofitable coal production in 1938. Boucher never returned to his camp by Dripping Springs again. |
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Louis Boucher was a Canadian-born prospector, miner, explorer, and guide in the Grand Canyon, Arizona in the late 19th to early 20th century.[1]
Life
Louis Boucher was an American prospector who sought fortunes in the Western US during the mid-1800's. Pioneers traveled across the country in hopes that that gold mining operations could fuel a better life for them and their families. Like many others, Boucher left Canada for the gold rush[2]. During his journey from the West to Cariboo and Fraser in Canada, Boucher became familiar with the use of mules for transportation and gear-hauling. After a failed gold prospecting in Cariboo, Boucher turned his attention Southwest, seeking silver. Boucher eventually worked his way to what is now known as Arizona around 1889 and was employed as a Grand Canyon guide for Hance Ranch, where he would provide mule rides to Canyon visitors.
In 1891, Boucher decided to stake his own claim on the Grand Canyon, settling by Dripping Springs Basin, which provided a natural spring of fresh water to those living near or passing through the Canyon. Boucher built a camp for himself and a corral for his mules and sheep. Living in such an isolated area earned Boucher his nickname; "the Hermit". At one point, during his occupation near Dripping Springs, Boucher assisted in the search and rescue of two lost men in the Canyon. He utilized the tools he knew best as a miner - explosives. Boucher reasoned that setting off explosive dynamite would attract the men toward the search party and provide some form of bearings- however, the two men were found later to have drowned in the Colorado River.[1]
Beside Boucher's camp, now known as Hermit's Rest[3], was a small yet sustainable copper mine[4], which allowed Boucher to meet his financial needs. Boucher later hand-carved the Silver Bell Trail, an homage to Calamity Jane's signature silver bell, which stretched from Dripping Springs to Columbus Point, and to Boucher Canyon.[5] Within his camp, Boucher planted an orchard home to 75 pomegranate, fig, and orange trees, fueled by a simple irrigation system he created himself. He additionally built cabins along his property for tourists to stay in.
Louis Boucher left his home in 1912 to seek work in a coal mine in Moreland, Utah. The town was abandoned due to unprofitable coal production in 1938. Boucher never returned to his camp by Dripping Springs again.
References
- ^ a b Drew, Daryl (October 2015). "Louis Boucher: Canadian Guide Of The Grand Canyon". Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine. Tanner Young. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Grand Canyon National Park (Notes)". npshistory.com. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
- ^ "Hermit Camp National Park Lodge Architecture Society". www.nplas.org. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
{{cite web}}: C1 control character in|title=at position 13 (help) - ^ James, George. "Dripping Spring And The Boucher Trail". Geo Cities. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "NCHGC: Sites and Stories: Rim to River: Boucher Trail". www.grcahistory.org. Retrieved 2018-08-29.