Calhoun Mine
Encyclopedia
The Calhoun Mine is perhaps the oldest and best known mine in Lumpkin County, Georgia
. When gold was discovered in Lumpkin County in 1828, which lead to the Georgia Gold Rush
in 1829, it was discovered on 239 acre (0.96719954 km²) owned by Robert Obar. After at least two intermediary sales, the land was purchased by Senator John C. Calhoun
of South Carolina
, who was also the 7th Vice President of the United States
. Calhoun started a mining company to mine the land and later allowed his son-in-law Thomas Green Clemson
, the founder of Clemson University
, to manage it. The ore deposit was a very rich deposit and, according to an 1856 letter from Clemson to his brother-in-law, was still producing significant quantities of gold nearly 30 years after its initial discovery on the land. This mine - along with the Consolidated Mine
and the Loud Mine
- were some of the most productive mines in the Georgia Gold Belt
.
In 1879, the Calhoun Mine passed from the Calhoun family. In 1939, after the deposits at the Calhoun Mine were long thought to be depleted, a small pocket was discovered and mined. After that excitement, things became quiet once again at the mine. The Calhoun Mine was added to the National Register of Historical Places and named a National Historic Landmark
in 1973.
Calhoun Mine is located about 3 miles (5 km) south of Dahlonega
off State Route 60
and on the eastern side of the Chestatee River
. It lies on a hill on the west side of the road - about 0.6 miles (1 km) off the road - on the opposite side of the ridge, on private property.
Lumpkin County, Georgia
Lumpkin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 29,966. Its county seat is Dahlonega.- History :...
. When gold was discovered in Lumpkin County in 1828, which lead to the Georgia Gold Rush
Georgia Gold Rush
The Georgia Gold Rush was the second significant gold rush in the United States. It started in 1828 in the present day Lumpkin County near county seat Dahlonega, and soon spread through the North Georgia mountains, following the Georgia Gold Belt. By the early 1840s, gold became harder to find...
in 1829, it was discovered on 239 acre (0.96719954 km²) owned by Robert Obar. After at least two intermediary sales, the land was purchased by Senator John C. Calhoun
John C. Calhoun
John Caldwell Calhoun was a leading politician and political theorist from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. Calhoun eloquently spoke out on every issue of his day, but often changed positions. Calhoun began his political career as a nationalist, modernizer, and proponent...
of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, who was also the 7th Vice President of the United States
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
. Calhoun started a mining company to mine the land and later allowed his son-in-law Thomas Green Clemson
Thomas Green Clemson
Thomas Green Clemson, was an American politician and statesman, serving as an ambassador and the United States Superintendent of Agriculture. He served in the Confederate States Army...
, the founder of Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
, to manage it. The ore deposit was a very rich deposit and, according to an 1856 letter from Clemson to his brother-in-law, was still producing significant quantities of gold nearly 30 years after its initial discovery on the land. This mine - along with the Consolidated Mine
Consolidated Mine
The Consolidated Mine was a gold mine in Lumpkin County, Georgia, United States, just east of Dahlonega. Like most of the area around Dahlonega, the placer mining on the land on which the mine is located probably started during the Georgia Gold Rush. By 1880, the placer deposits were exhausted and...
and the Loud Mine
Loud Mine
Loud Mine was a gold mine in White County, Georgia north of Dahlonega; it was a famous mining site in the 19th century Georgia Gold Rush. The site is now owned by a private gold mining group, and permission is needed to go on the property.-External links:*...
- were some of the most productive mines in the Georgia Gold Belt
Georgia Gold Belt
The largest quantities of gold found in the eastern United States were found in the Georgia Gold Belt, which extends from eastern Alabama to Rabun County, Georgia. The biggest concentration of gold was found in White, Lumpkin, and northern Cherokee counties in Georgia. The gold in the Georgia Gold...
.
In 1879, the Calhoun Mine passed from the Calhoun family. In 1939, after the deposits at the Calhoun Mine were long thought to be depleted, a small pocket was discovered and mined. After that excitement, things became quiet once again at the mine. The Calhoun Mine was added to the National Register of Historical Places and named a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1973.
Calhoun Mine is located about 3 miles (5 km) south of Dahlonega
Dahlonega, Georgia
Dahlonega is a city in Lumpkin County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 5,242....
off State Route 60
Georgia State Route 60
State Route 60 begins at S.R. 124 in Hoschton and travels north through Gainesville and across I-985. The route overlaps U.S. 19 in Lumpkin County in Dahlonega. The route ends after traveling through McCaysville at the Tennessee state line....
and on the eastern side of the Chestatee River
Chestatee River
The Chestatee River is a river in the Appalachian Mountains of northern Georgia, USA. It begins at the confluence of Dicks Creek and Frogtown Creek The Chestatee River (variant spellings Chestatie, Chestetee, Chostatee, Chosteta, none in modern use) is a river in the Appalachian Mountains of...
. It lies on a hill on the west side of the road - about 0.6 miles (1 km) off the road - on the opposite side of the ridge, on private property.