Houseman'S Shaft Engine House At South Phoenix Mine

Houseman's Shaft Engine House at South Phoenix Mine is a mid-19th century engine house with an attached chimney, located at the South Phoenix copper mine. It is constructed of granite rubble with granite quoins and brick dressings. The building has a rectangular plan, featuring a bob wall at one gable end and an attached chimney at the opposite gable end. The gable end with the bob opening also includes two round-arched openings at the upper level, both with brick dressings, and a brick chimney stack at the apex of the gable. The right side of the building has openings at both the first and second floors, with timber lintels, and an upper opening featuring a round brick arch. The left side mirrors this design. The rear gable end has a wide opening with a timber lintel at the ground, first, and second floors, and an attached circular plan chimney made of rubble, which tapers and has a brick top and cornice. The South Phoenix mine was restarted for copper in 1847 and was equipped with a 28-inch rotary engine, reaching a depth of 120 fathoms by 1854. Although it was not financially successful, it saw some initial success before the richer Phoenix United mine to the north prompted further exploration of deep tin prospects in 1870.