| Written by Michal Wozniakowski-Zehenter
A LONG TIME AGO IN THE LAND FAR FAR AWAY…
Around 7,000 years back, Native Americans started working with metals in North America. They turned their attention to the Keweenaw Peninsula, tucked away in the Midwest and kissed by Lake Superior's waves. This spot had a hidden gem - copper veins, which had been taking shape for over a billion years.
It was its purity that made a difference. It wasn't mixed with other ores, which meant Native Americans could pull it right out of the ground, avoiding the tedious steps others had to go through elsewhere. It seemed like the earth itself shared its secrets just with them.
Using that copper, they did some truly incredible things. They whipped up tools, fishing gear, and some really beautiful jewellery, showcasing just how talented and creative they were. Word got around about their exceptional work, and soon, people everywhere wanted a piece of what they were making. With the relentless work of archaeologists and the backing of the National Park Service, we've unearthed many items made from this distinct metal across North America, celebrating the timeless skill of those initial craftsmen.
COLONIAL BEGINNINGS
The early colonists in America were driven by the promise of discovering valuable mineral treasures. They were relentless in their search for metals along the Atlantic Coast, and soon after establishing the first settlements, they began unearthing silver, lead, copper, iron, tin, antimony, coal, and other precious minerals. However, these valuable resources were often found in limited quantities and faced tough competition from foreign production, making mining operations unprofitable. On top of that, the presence and hostility of Native Americans posed significant risks to these ventures.
In 1608, just a year after Virginia was permanently settled, iron ore was sent to England from near Jamestown. Recognizing the potential, 150 skilled workers were dispatched to the colony in 1620 to establish and operate ironworks. Unfortunately, their efforts were cut short by an Indian massacre two years later, which brought a disheartening end to their progress. Another setback came from the mistaken belief of Captain John Smith's discovery of gold in Virginia. A shipload of the gleaming dust was sent to England, only to be revealed as nothing more than iron pyrites.
Nevertheless, the resilient colonists persisted in their pursuit, overcoming countless challenges and setbacks to make commendable strides. In 1715, their efforts were finally resumed permanently. Massachusetts discovered the metal in 1628, leading to the formation of a company in 1643 to exploit it. Following in their footsteps, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania also joined the mining industry.
GOLD RUSH – THE FIRST ONE, IN CAROLINA
The Carolina Gold Rush, the first gold rush in the United States, followed the discovery of a large gold nugget in North Carolina in 1799, by a 12-year-old boy named Conrad Reed. He spotted the nugget while playing in Meadow Creek on his family's farm in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Unaware of its value, Conrad gave the rock to his father as a present. For three years, the Reed family used it as a doorstop until a jeweller recognized it as gold. The jeweller offered to buy it, and John Reed asked for three dollars and fifty cents. Later, they discovered the nugget was worth around thirty-six hundred dollars.
The year 1803 marked a turning point for John Reed when a remarkable discovery on his property brought unimaginable wealth. A slave named Peter, with his hands in the soil, unearthed a colossal 28-pound nugget, forever altering the course of Reed's life. He grabbed the chance, diving into the world of placer mining and, as time went on, delving into underground mining by 1831. By the time of his passing in 1845, Reed had amassed a fortune beyond measure, and his lad continued to yield its golden treasures until the year 1912.
This gold fever gave birth to the Charlotte Mint in 1835, highlighting the state's newfound opulence. By 1832, the gold rush was in full swing, drawing in over 50 mining companies and providing jobs for a whopping 25,000 folks. For a time, mining wasn't just an industry; it was North Carolina's heartbeat, full of hope and the allure of riches.
Among the pioneers who seized this golden opportunity, William Thorn, the mastermind behind the architectural marvel that is the U.S. Capitol Building, ventured into the realm of gold as he launched the North Carolina Gold Mine Company. And to meet the insatiable currency demands of the gold rush, Thomas Belcher, a skilled German jeweller, embarked on a quest to mint over two million gold coins, forever etching his name in the annals of history.
Men from all walks of life aspired to strike it rich, either by establishing their own mines or joining the ranks of existing ones. Amidst the frenzy of the gold rush, however, farming managed to thrive, ensuring a steady food supply for the burgeoning population. Many believed enterprises like barbershops, blacksmith outlets or tailor stores, might have been even more lucrative than the mines themselves. Meanwhile, after long days in the pits, miners found respite and brotherhood in local saloons, fuelling a thriving booze business. But amidst this predominantly male miner population, demand for companionship bloomed, leading to a surge in brothels and a complex web of intertwined destinies.
The impacts of the gold rush were as varied as the colours of the precious metal itself. Cities experienced unprecedented growth, their foundations stretching to accommodate the influx of people drawn by the allure of wealth. Transportation systems improved, with water transport methods evolving to meet the demands of this golden era.
But there was also a downside. Nature bore the brunt of human progress, as trees tumbled and rivers felt the stress of human touch. Hydraulic mining, with its intense methods, left lasting marks on the landscape, sparking tensions between miners and those tilling the land, straining community bonds. Countless miners were left empty-handed, their dreams shattered, and their families torn apart. Native Americans, too, faced unspeakable atrocities, enduring slavery and forced labour as the land they once called home was forever altered. And as the transient nature of mining took hold, "ghost towns" emerged, abandoned shells of once-thriving communities left behind as the gold veins dried up, a haunting reminder of the fleeting nature of fortune.
MINING IN US: GO WEST
As the nation's borders expanded westwards 20s and 30s of the 1800s, fueled by the Manifest Destiny sentiment, an unsung hero of this transformation was the mineral lead. While gold and silver drew many with the allure of sudden wealth, lead's charm was its everyday utility. This malleable metal was vital for crafting bullets, which were the backbone of frontier defence. Beyond weaponry, lead found its place in plumbing, paint manufacturing, and even preserving food. Thus, regions rich in lead became buzzing centres of trade and activity.
Nestled within today's boundaries of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, the Upper Mississippi River Valley was a treasure trove of lead deposits. Towns like Dubuque in Iowa and Galena in Illinois rose as the epicentres of lead mining. It's no coincidence that Galena was named after the lead sulfide mineral. This belt of abundant lead resources soon got its nickname, the "Lead Belt." It witnessed a wave of settlers, miners, and business folks, all wanting a piece of the lucrative pie. This lead-driven boom catalyzed infrastructural advancements. New roads paved the way, while rivers became key transportation channels, ferrying lead to bigger markets. Previously secluded areas evolved into bustling towns, replete with educational institutions, places of worship, and commerce hubs. These booming lead towns also became gateways for those eyeing further Western adventures.
However, lead mining had its set of challenges. Extracting and smelting lead came at an environmental cost. Forests were axed both for mining and to feed smelting processes, causing widespread deforestation. Moreover, interactions between miners and the indigenous tribes often turned sour, leading to disputes and sometimes, outright confrontations. By the time the 1830s were winding down and the 1840s dawned, the lead scene was shifting. Railways emerged as a game-changer in transporting lead. This, coupled with stiffening competition from other regions, meant smaller mines in the Lead Belt were no longer feasible and gradually faded into history (read more about modern mining technology).
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
The California Gold Rush of 1848 set off a monumental shift in America's story. Word of gold in the area spread fast, drawing in people from all corners of the globe to San Francisco's promising shores. The wave of folks coming in wove together a rich mix of backgrounds, giving a special touch to the place we now warmly call the Golden State.
By 1849 (you've guessed it - that's where San Francisco's Football team name comes from), the non-native population had soared to an astounding 100,000 individuals, all seeking their fortunes in the glittering rivers and mountains of California. The Gold Rush reached its zenith in 1852, with an astonishing $2 billion worth of precious metal extracted from the once untouched terrain. All this new wealth coming in really shook things up, changing how folks lived and worked in the area.
Two pivotal moments during this era stand out as game-changers. The first was the fateful discovery of gold by James Marshall at Sutter's Mill, forever etching his name in history. This huge happening had a domino effect, pulling in loads of gutsy folks to the wild, hoping to grab a piece of the good fortune. The big game-changer? That Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. It ended the war and made California officially part of the U.S. This meant new chances to grow and do more. And the Gold Rush? Well, it changed so many things in so many ways. California went from a quiet patch of land to a buzzing hub, as folks poured in and cities sprang up seemingly overnight. In 1850, California achieved statehood as the 31st state in the Union, a testament to its newfound significance. However, as the easy-to-access gold started to dwindle after 1850, mining became increasingly arduous and less profitable.
Furthermore, the advent of industrialization brought about unforeseen challenges. The once pristine landscape was ravaged by hydraulic mining, a destructive method that utilized high-pressure water to extract gold. The damage to nature from this activity became alarming, prompting the ban of hydraulic mining in 1884. In its wake, California began to lean into agriculture, which over time, rose as the primary industry.
Oh, that was when a bunch of dreamers flocked to California hoping to strike it rich. Because of them, California turned into the lively place we know today. Every time you walk around San Francisco or look at the Sierra Nevada, you are reminded of their spirit and how they left their mark on the whole country. Read more about mining in California and the Gold Rush here.
MINING IN US: SILVER MINING
Finding the Comstock Lode in Nevada was a huge deal. It was like stumbling upon a giant treasure chest in the West. This big silver discovery made California's gold less of a headline. Virginia City was where the action was, with silver and gold valued at over $500 million coming out of there.
The story of the Comstock Lode begins in 1850 when Mormon emigrants stumbled upon gold in the area. However, it wasn't until 1859 that the true potential of the region was realized with the establishment of the Comstock Lode. When folks heard about the massive treasure underground, everyone wanted a piece. So, people from all over, with different backgrounds, came rushing in.
Initially, the ore was extracted through surface diggings, but as the demand for silver and gold grew, so did the complexity of the mining operations. Tunnelling underground became necessary to reach the deeper veins of precious metals.
In the next ten years, the Bank of California became the big player in Virginia City, owning most of the mines there. Not content with just their financial influence, the bank also invested in improving transportation infrastructure. The Comstock Lode brought money and chances, but not everyone had it good. Chinese workers, who did a lot of the mining, faced a lot of unfairness and bad treatment, even though they were super important to the mine's success.
As time went on, the Comstock Lode eventually started to decline, leading to a downturn in Nevada's mining industry as a whole. The mines once made big money but later got heat for shady deals and bad bookkeeping. But the Comstock Lode wasn't just about money. It led to new mining tools, like the Sutro Tunnel, that changed the game. The whole Comstock story shows the ups and downs of the Wild West back in the 1800s. It was a time of big dreams, but also some unfairness. Today, it reminds us of how finding minerals can change things, and the different stories of the people involved (learn more about safety topics in mining in the past here).
MINING IN US: APPALACHIAN BLACK GOLD
As the 19th century progressed, the insatiable hunger of a rapidly industrializing America turned towards coal. This energy source helped turn the country from mostly farming to a big industrial player.
While wood had long been the primary fuel for early Americans, the relentless demand for steam engines and burgeoning factories necessitated a more efficient energy source. Coal, mainly found in places like Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Kanawha River, West Virginia, became big. Pennsylvania's anthracite region, with its quality coal, drew many workers. This changed the state as mining towns popped up everywhere.
Kentucky and West Virginia, blessed with vast reserves of bituminous coal, quickly followed suit in production. In those regions, mining was booming, and coal towns popped up everywhere. More people wanted coal, putting these places on the map for America's progress. In 1840, total coal production for the State was about 300,000 tons, of which 200,000 tons were used in 90 Kanawha salt furnaces.
Steamboats also consumed great quantities of coal; factories and homes in Wheeling used the rest.
Mining changed, too. Miners went deeper underground, which, yeah, got risky. So, new safety gear and cool tech came into play. And with trains connecting the dots from mines to factories, moving coal became a breeze. Mining towns, often known as "company towns," emerged as the backbone of coal production. In these places, mining companies were often in charge, setting up homes, shops, and what folks needed. Yeah, there was steady work and a tight community vibe, but it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. The living conditions in company towns varied widely, with some offering decent accommodations and amenities, while others had overcrowded and substandard housing. Coal miners wanted better pay and safer jobs. So, they teamed up in unions to stand up for themselves. They pushed for fair play and safety at work. Thanks to them, workers' rights in America got a whole lot better.
NORTH VS SOUTH
The American Civil War in the 1860s wasn't just about states' rights or ending slavery. Both sides knew they needed what was underground to win. The Confederates had a lot of iron, which was super important for making weapons and ships. Areas like Alabama's Red Mountain became the heartbeat of the South's iron industry. The Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond, Virginia, which predated the war, expanded its operations to meet the Confederacy’s demands, churning out artillery and munitions.
The Union's naval blockade aimed to suffocate the South economically. However, the Confederacy attempted to leverage its mineral wealth to counteract this strategy. They exported cotton to Europe, using blockade runners, and in return, imported much-needed mining equipment and machinery. But as the Union's stranglehold tightened, these operations became perilous, leading to shortages in essential mining supplies for the Confederacy.
The North's control over the rich gold mines in the West provided a dual advantage. Firstly, it offered financial stability and funding for the war. The gold from states like California and Colorado ensured the Union had a steady influx of funds to finance their war efforts. Gold also kept European countries from helping the South because they wanted to stay on good terms with the wealthy North.
While metals were pivotal, coal reserves in Pennsylvania became the unsung heroes of the war. This energy source powered the North's ships, trains, and factories, helping them run smoothly during the war.. The South, while having coal reserves, could not exploit them to the same extent due to infrastructural and logistic challenges.
Mining also emphasized the socio-economic differences between the agrarian South and the industrializing North. The North had a mix of businesses, from mining to factories, while the South mostly focused on farming. This difference affected the war and how things were rebuilt afterwards.
POST-WAR – COPPER IN MONTANA AND SOUTH DAKOTA’S GOLD
After the end of the Civil War in 1865, mining emerged as a vital force in shaping the nation's recovery and sustained progress. The history of Butte, Montana, traces back to 1864 when explorers first passed through Summit Valley. These pioneers were part of the gold rush that had swept through Bannack and Virginia City, located about 100 miles south, in 1862.
Venturing into the depths of western Montana, these prospectors stumbled upon gold in Silver Bow Creek, near the present-day Interstate near Butte. They also discovered rock formations rich in gold on the town's hill. This discovery propelled Butte into the spotlight as a booming town in the 1860s, with a population ranging from 500 to 1500. However, the nearby placers at Silver Bow City, four miles west of Butte, often attracted more people at the time.
However, the initial excitement of easily accessible gold quickly faded, and by 1874, Butte's population dwindled to a mere 61 scrabbling miners, many of whom were Chinese immigrants. Fortunately, in 1875, prospectors returned to the town and conducted a thorough analysis of the rocks. Much to their surprise, they unearthed hidden gold, a significant amount of silver, and an astonishing abundance of copper, which had previously been disregarded.
Butte needed just one more year to truly flourish. In 1876, the telephone was invented, followed by the electric light in 1879. Although Western Union had already established the first transcontinental telegraph line in 1861, it was the telephone and electric light that drove the demand for copper, especially in the late 1870s. These remarkable innovations relied on copper for transmission wires, and Butte happened to possess an unmatched reserve of this precious metal. As a result, a boom ensued, primarily led by silver, but with an increasing emphasis on the importance of copper.
Located 500 miles east of Butte, the Black Hills were once inhabited by Native American tribes of the Sioux Nation until General George Armstrong Custer’s 1874 Military Expedition opened the territory, albeit illegally, to prospectors. It was during this expedition that gold was discovered in French Creek, nestled in the southern Black Hills near the present-day town of Custer. The news of the gold rush spread like wildfire, attracting an estimated 4,000 eager individuals to venture into the Hills within a year. Placer claims were hastily staked all over the Northern Black Hills, with Deadwood Creek proving to be particularly lucrative for those seeking their fortunes. However, as the gold placers dwindled, miners shifted their focus to the more challenging but potentially more rewarding hardrock mining.
In 1876, two pioneers named Moses and Fred Manuel made a monumental discovery: the Homestake Ledge, also known as a "leed," a rich lode claim situated in the current town of Lead. In its first year of production, the Manuels were able to recover an astonishing 5,000 ounces of gold from the site. Recognizing its enormous potential, George Hearst and a group of California investors wasted no time in acquiring the Homestake Mine and several other claims in 1877, leading to the formation of the Homestake Mining Company of California. Determined to maximize their returns, they constructed a massive mill equipped with 80 stamps, resulting in a substantial increase in production. Little did they know that the Homestake Mine would eventually emerge as the most prosperous and bountiful mine in the entire Black Hills region.
Learn more about modern mine technology.
FAQS
What is the most common resource of mining in the US?
Coal is a big deal in the USA – it's the main thing we mine for energy. But we also dig up other useful materials. Crushed rock is a key part of building things like roads and buildings. Cement, which is important for construction, also comes from mining.
And don't forget about gold – it's shiny and valuable, so we mine it a lot. Also, sand and gravel from mining, which is used in construction to keep American cities growing.
TAKEAWAY
The story of mining in the US until 1875 is an amazing tale of human spirit, hard work, and smart thinking. It all began with early settlers digging for valuable stuff, and over time, mining grew into a huge thing by the mid-1800s. When people found big deposits of minerals, it sparked a lot of excitement and people moving to those areas for a chance at success.
As mining got bigger, so did the towns around it. Places that used to be empty turned into lively communities with streets, shops, and homes. In these towns, all kinds of people came to work in the mines, bringing their talents from different places. Advanced machines powered by steam and smarter ways of digging helped a lot. But mining wasn't only for getting rich. It brought folks close together, like a family, because they faced challenges side by side. And mining did more than make money – it helped build things like trains and telegraph lines that connected these places to the whole country, making trade and talking easier.
Let's continue with the history of mining in the United States here...
If you are interested in further studies of the topic, we recommend you the following books:
- John R. McNeill & George Vrtis “Mining North America (An Environmental History since 1522)”
- Clark C. Spence “A History of Gold Dredging in Idaho”
- David Forsyth “Eben Smith. The Dean of Western Mining”
Dive deeper into one of our core topics: Miner Safety
