South Rim Drill Site
 

During the first three years of the 1920's the center of activity at the crater was focused on the top of the south rim. There above the so called ``red streak'' was where the South Rim Drill Hole was sunk. It would be a financial disaster, but to Barringer a great scientific success.

At a depth of 1,376 feet the drill became wedged and could not be freed. During the last hundred feet or so of drilling before that occurred they were drilling through dark heavy nickel bearing material. At the end the substance they drilled was so hard the bits were quickly dulled and little more than a few inches could be drilled a day.

During the early weeks of drilling the first major setback occurred when the drill tools were lost at 311 feet. To recover them a tunnel was dug into the side of the crater.

Near the center of this picture can be seen what looks like the actual drill site. Marked by pipe sticking out of the casing cut off right at ground level. On the left of the picture is also a length of the casing

Bits like these were used in the drilling of the holes at Meteor Crater. They attached to the end of drill rod and as drilling progressed sections of additional drill rod were added.