At the intersection of the Phoenix Mining claim, patented November 15, 1861, and the Washington Mining claim, patented December 20, 1862, a community of several hundred people once gave the appearance of a small town. Its headquarters included several bunk houses, horse stables, a cookhouse, dining hall, blacksmith shop, the Washington Mine store, and many other buildings. It also served as a stagecoach stop on the 12 mile wagon trail to Calistoga. The Phoenix Mine, the first quicksilver mine in Napa County, was accidentally discovered by deer hunter John Newman, who found traces of cinnabar after a fire in these hills. The mine took its name from the legendary Phoenix bird that rose from the ashes. In its heyday, the Phoenix Mining Company produced 60 flasks of quicksilver per week and employed 45 men, many of whom were Chinese laborers.