Calhoun Mine facts for kids
|
Calhoun Mine
|
|
National Park Service photo, 1972
|
|
 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Lumpkin County, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Dahlonega, Georgia |
| Area | 110 acres (45 ha) |
| Built | 1828 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002292 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1973 |
| Designated NHL | November 7, 1973 |
The Calhoun Mine is a very old and famous gold mine in Lumpkin County, Georgia. It played a big part in the Georgia Gold Rush that started in 1829. This mine was so important that it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1973.
Contents
Discovering Gold at Calhoun Mine
Gold was first found in Lumpkin County in 1828. This exciting discovery happened on land owned by Robert Obar. The news quickly spread, leading to the big Georgia Gold Rush.
Who Owned the Mine?
After a few sales, the land became the property of John C. Calhoun. He was a very important person in American history. Calhoun served as a Senator and was also the 7th Vice President of the United States. He was from South Carolina.
Calhoun started a company to mine for gold on his land. Later, he let his son-in-law, Thomas Green Clemson, manage the mine. Clemson is famous for founding Clemson University.
How Much Gold Was Found?
The Calhoun Mine was very rich in gold. An old letter from 1856 shows that it was still producing a lot of gold. This was nearly 30 years after gold was first found there! The Calhoun Mine, along with the Consolidated Mine and the Loud Mine, were some of the most successful mines in the Georgia Gold Belt.
The Mine's Later Years
The Calhoun family sold the mine in 1879. People thought all the gold was gone for a long time. But in 1939, a small new pocket of gold was found and mined. After that, the mine became quiet again. In 1973, the Calhoun Mine was recognized for its history. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places and became a National Historic Landmark.
Where is the Calhoun Mine?
The Calhoun Mine is about 3 miles (5 km) south of Dahlonega, Georgia. You can find it off State Route 60. It sits on a hill on the west side of the road, about 0.6 miles (1 km) away. The mine is on private property.
The Mine's Historical Importance
The Calhoun Mine was made a National Historic Landmark in 1973. This was because of its important role in the history of the Cherokee removal. The mine was very close to land where the Cherokee people lived.
Miners sometimes went onto Cherokee lands without permission. This caused problems and arguments. These conflicts were a reason why people wanted the Cherokee to move from their homes. Eventually, the Cherokee people were forced to leave their lands. The Calhoun Mine's location helped lead to this important event in history.
