Black Butte, Oregon facts for kids
Black Butte was once a small community in Lane County, Oregon, in the United States. It was not an officially organized town, but rather a collection of homes and businesses. This community was located near a dark-colored mountain, also called Black Butte, which was close to where the Coast Fork Willamette River begins. It was about 20 miles south of Cottage Grove, right where Garoutte Creek and the Little River meet.
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Black Butte: A Mining Community
Black Butte was mainly known for its mercury mine. This mine was a very important part of the community for many years.
The Black Butte Mine
The Black Butte Mine was one of the biggest mines in Oregon that dug for mercury. Mercury is a unique metal because it's liquid at room temperature. The mine started operating in the 1890s and continued until the 1960s. It played a big role in the area's economy for decades.
Life in Black Butte
Like many small communities, Black Butte had its own services for residents.
Post Office History
The community had a post office to handle mail. It first opened in 1898 and was called Harris, named after William Harris, who was the first postmaster. A postmaster is the person in charge of a post office. In 1901, the name of the post office was changed to Blackbutte. It continued to serve the community until 1957.
The Black Butte School
There was also a school in Black Butte where local children went to learn. In 1932, the Black Butte School District joined with the London School District. This meant that the Black Butte school likely closed, and students went to school in London instead.
Environmental Concerns
Even though the Black Butte Mine closed many years ago, its history still affects the area.
Mercury Contamination
Mining activities can sometimes leave behind waste materials called mine tailings. At Black Butte, these leftover materials contained mercury. Over time, rain and water can wash mercury from these tailings into nearby streams and rivers. This is called mercury contamination.
Impact on Waterways
Mercury-contaminated water from Furnace Creek, which is near the old mine, has flowed into Cottage Grove Lake. This contamination is a health concern because mercury can be harmful to people and wildlife if it gets into the environment. Efforts are often made to clean up such sites to protect the environment and public health.
