Record #:

7958

Author(s):

Lewis, Rebecca

Abstract:

In 1799, the first documented gold strike in the country occurred at John Reed's farm in Cabarrus County, twenty miles east of Charlotte. As the news spread, gold seekers of many nationalities poured in to seek their fortunes. The first mining that was conducted was called \"placer\" mining, or mining that is done aboveground. In 1825, Matthias Barringer discovered that gold could be found in veins of white quartz. By following the veins deep into the ground more gold could be recovered. Many of the miners left the state when gold was discovered in other Southern states and in California in 1849.

Source:

Tar Heel Junior Historian (NoCar F 251 T3x), Vol. 45 Issue 2, Spring 2006, p20-21, il, map

Subject(s):

Gold mines and mining--History; Reed Gold Mine (Cabarrus County)