Rock Drilling Contest
Knotts Berry Farm
Trying to Photograph everything there

Rock Drilling Contest

The Rock from 1905
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Updated October 2024
Posted March 2022

Knott's Berry Farm Drilling Contest
Drilling Contest
Held at Tonopah Nevada July 30th, 1905

Double Hand Contest won by Malley and Cundy
8 pound hammer drilled 38 1/2 inches in 15 minutes

Single Hand Contest won by Atha Richie
4 pound hammer drilled 22 1/2 inches in 15 minutes

Each minute a new drill was inserted so driller never missed a stroke

Drilling Contest
The Rock from 1905

:52 VIDEO:

Knotts Berry Farm Drilling Contest
On July 30, 1905
A rock drilling contest was held in Tonopah, Nevada. That winning rock is on display at the foot of Main Street and has been for decades. Brought to Ghost Town by Walter Knott, the hole-y rock is a true piece of history and represents an era when the art of competitive hand drilling drew hundreds, if not thousands, to towns throughout the West. Drilling was an implicit part of mining and mining towns would often hold drilling competitions for miners and prospectors. To be successful in hand drilling, one had to master teamwork, technique, and retain speed with endurance. Prizes for these contests were often several hundred dollars. Knott’s Berry Farm’s winning rock was drilled by Malley and Cundy in a Double Hand Contest with an eight-pound hammer — they drilled 38.5 inches in fifteen minutes. It was also drilled in a Single Hand Contest won by Atha Rich with a four-pound hammer which drilled 22.5 inches in fifteen minutes.

https://www.facebook.com/KnottsBerryFarm/photos/on-july-30-1905-a-rock-drilling-contest-was-held-in-tonopah-nevada-that-winning

1905 Drilling Contest

1905 Drilling Contest

1905 Drilling Contest

1905 Drilling Contest