Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site
9621 Reed Mine Road
Midland, NC 28107

Notable for: typical late 19th-century western-US stamp mill

Owner, if different than above: NC Dept of Cultural Resources

Plaque location, if specific: in same building with mill

More about . . .
The first authenticated discovery of gold occurred on the Cabarrus County farm of John Reed in 1799, sparking the nation's first gold rush. During its peak years, more than a million dollars of gold was recovered a year, making North Carolina a leader in gold production until 1848. This mill, built by the Mecklenburg Iron Works of Charlotte, North Carolina, is original except for the timber work. Two groups of five 750-pound stamps with 5- to 7-inch lift, rose and fell thirty-five times a minute to yield a finely crushed ore. It is typical of those used in the late nineteenth century, not only in this state but in the western regions as well.

Visiting Info: for info go to the Reed Gold Mine site: http://www.reedmine.com/, or phone (704) 721-4653

Ceremony Notes: Designated by the Piedmont-Carolina Section, April 1983

Comments from Visitors/Members: 1992 Survey by Kenneth A. Beatty: Site is staffed throughout the year. Indoor museum, guided underground tours and separate building housing the ten-stamp mill are available at this facility. Site is well maintained and has private parking, restroom facilities and good access. Many school tours are conducted at the facility.