POLKA DOT AGATE

RICH IN ANCIENT HISTORY AND MODERN MINING

- BRUCE MCKAY

In Central Oregon, where I live, there is an adventure to be had by heading north on Hwy 97 past Madras, following along rolling farmland, and past the famous Richardson’s Rockhound Ranch, but, there is no world wherein a rockhound drives past Richardson’s. So, after stopping at Richardson’s for a visit, the journey continues until NE Pony Butte Road, where a right turn leads south toward Ashwood.

From there, the road leads travelers along hills and beautiful vistas, winding around cliffs and squeezing through an aspen filled creek canyon, a creek that begins at the Polka Dot Mine. Nine miles in, the road reaches open hills and there on the right is the polka-dotted trailer that marks the entrance of the Polka Dot Mine.

The Polka Dot Mine is owned by Dale and Sue Huett, one of many mines they own or control through their company West Coast Mining. The company uses the Polka Dot Mine as the retail and wholesale outlet for material mined on-site, as well as from other West Coast Mining locations in the area. Endless piles of rock, dozens of 50-gallon barrels full to the rim, and cut slabs dot the area. Anyone who loves rock will find great material for purchase. Available material includes Polka Dot agate, Gary Green jasper, Blue Mountain jasper, 79 Bed thunder eggs, Amethyst Sage agate, Paiute agate, and various picture jaspers, among others.

In 2019, after 38 years of thinking Polka Dot agate was the only gem in the mine area, Dale accidentally uncovered a thunder egg deposit that had never been discovered, just 150 yards from the mine. The Canyon Rim thunder egg deposit is now open for public digging, producing some very large and impressive specimens.