katiestout
Mining and Tools
PHOTO 4
According to the historic gold museum in Dahlonega, the gold found in North Georgia is considered to be some of the world’s finest, with a purity content of about 98%, higher than that later found in both California and Alaska. Because of this purity, mining was an integral part of Dahlonega’s economy and culture for many years. Mining started after Benjamin Parks found gold in 1828. However, as the years passed by, it became harder and harder to find the precious metal in streams and shallow digging. New ways to mine were developed, including digging deep mines into the mountains and using high-powered water cannons (like the one shown here). Hydraulic mining (using water cannons) wore down the mountain so that the miners could get to the gold ore; hydraulic mining, unfortunately, left huge, ugly gashes in the mountains’ sides.
Information found in the historical film shown at the Dahlonega gold museum shows that mining in North Georgia continued through the 1900s. In fact, in the 1930s, the mining business struck their wealthiest findings that ever the mines had produced. Graham DuGas, owner of the Calhoun mine, made a fortune in the early 1900s in the gold industry. However, the mines were all abandoned during World War II, when the men left to go fight.
-Photo by Katie Marie Stout
Mining and Tools
PHOTO 4
According to the historic gold museum in Dahlonega, the gold found in North Georgia is considered to be some of the world’s finest, with a purity content of about 98%, higher than that later found in both California and Alaska. Because of this purity, mining was an integral part of Dahlonega’s economy and culture for many years. Mining started after Benjamin Parks found gold in 1828. However, as the years passed by, it became harder and harder to find the precious metal in streams and shallow digging. New ways to mine were developed, including digging deep mines into the mountains and using high-powered water cannons (like the one shown here). Hydraulic mining (using water cannons) wore down the mountain so that the miners could get to the gold ore; hydraulic mining, unfortunately, left huge, ugly gashes in the mountains’ sides.
Information found in the historical film shown at the Dahlonega gold museum shows that mining in North Georgia continued through the 1900s. In fact, in the 1930s, the mining business struck their wealthiest findings that ever the mines had produced. Graham DuGas, owner of the Calhoun mine, made a fortune in the early 1900s in the gold industry. However, the mines were all abandoned during World War II, when the men left to go fight.
-Photo by Katie Marie Stout