Prospecting
Visit the Reed Mine, America’s first gold mine
I bet you though that Sutter’s Mill, California was the site of America’s first gold mine, didn’t you? Actually it was the Reed Mine in Stanfield, North Carolina which opened in 1800. In fact, before the big California gold rush of 1849 North Carolina was the source of gold for the US Mint.
Gold was first discovered at the site by farmer John Reed in 1799. While working his fields in Cabarrus County, Reed’s son found a large yellow rock that was quite interesting. They hauled the 17lb. rock home where it made a fine doorstop for several years.
About three years later, a local jeweler identified the door stop as a gold nugget. He then ripped off the Reeds by purchasing it for $3.50 — one tenth of one percent of its actual value. A good deal for a door stop, but a bad deal for a giant nugget.
Now the mine is an historic site run by the North Carolina parks department. There’s a a museum, a gold-panning area, guided tours in a mine shaft, a stamp mill, wooded trails and a picnic area. You can even try your hand at panning for gold for just $2. Entrance to the park is free.
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