Consolidated Mine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Dahlonega Consolidated Gold Mine
|
|
.JPG)
Glory Hole at the Consolidated Gold Mine
|
|
 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Lumpkin County, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Dahlonega, Georgia |
| Area | 92.5 acres (37.4 ha) |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architect | Dahlonega Consolidated Gold Mining Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001111 |
| Added to NRHP | February 27, 1980 |
| Location | |
|---|---|
 Georgia (U.S. state) |
|
| Country |  USA |
| Production | |
| Products | Gold |
| History | |
| Closed | 1906 |
| Owner | |
| Website | http://www.consolidatedgoldmine.com |
The Consolidated Mine was a famous gold mine. It is located in Lumpkin County, Georgia, near the town of Dahlonega. Gold mining likely began here during the exciting Georgia Gold Rush.
Miners first looked for gold in riverbeds and streams. This was called placer mining. By 1880, most of this easy-to-find gold was gone. Miners then found gold deep inside rocks. This gold was in large quartz veins. They dug deep into the earth to get it. One very rich area was called the "Glory Hole." This became a huge open pit.
History of the Consolidated Gold Mine
Early Gold Mining in Georgia
The area around Dahlonega was a busy place for gold mining. The Georgia Gold Rush started here. Many people came hoping to find their fortune. They used simple methods to find gold.
From Placer to Hard Rock Mining
At first, miners used placer mining. This meant they washed dirt and gravel from rivers. They hoped to find small pieces of gold. When this gold ran out, they had to dig deeper. They started hard rock mining. This involved digging into solid rock. They looked for gold hidden in quartz veins.
The Dahlonega Consolidated Gold Mining Company
After some time, the mine stopped working. Then, in 1895, a group of investors bought a lot of land. They formed a company called the Dahlonega Consolidated Gold Mining Co. They built a very large machine called a stamp mill. This mill crushed the rock to get the gold out. It was the biggest stamp mill east of the Mississippi River.
The Mine's Closure and Reopening
The company stopped working in 1906. The lower parts of the mine filled with water. It stayed closed for 75 years. Later, new owners took over the mine. They saw its potential.
The Consolidated Mine Today
Visiting the Historic Gold Mine
Today, the Consolidated Mine is a fun place to visit. You can go on a tour deep underground. You get to see parts of the famous "Glory Hole." It's a safe way to explore a real gold mine.
What You Can See and Do
Inside the mine, you can see old cart rails. These were used to move rock. You can also see old electrical lines. There's even a working air drill that was found in the mine. A very popular activity is gold panning. You can try to find your own gold flakes!
Other Mines in the Area
The Consolidated Mine is one of two mines in Dahlonega open to visitors. The other is Crisson Mine. However, the Consolidated Mine is the only one safe enough for tourists to go inside.
Future of Gold Mining
There is still gold left in the mine. But getting it out is very expensive. For now, the cost is more than the gold is worth. So, the mine remains a tourist attraction.
