It was studied by archeologists in 1979–1981. The NRHP nomination states:
The site is significant because it represents a complete mining complex containing living quarters, a trash dump, mine tailings, ditches, and the like relative to a Chinese mining community existing from 1870 to 1900. Chinese mining methods, a specialized system of mineral production can be studied here. It also contributes information important to the history of Chinese consumption of American-made goods, their assimilation into the American economy, and their reliance upon the China trade for goods desired but not available on the American market.[2]