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.