Communities
Vein Mountain McDowell Co. Gold Mining
By HarrisRealty.org

Like the goose that laid the golden egg, Marion, North Carolina property literally sits on a gold mine.  Just south of real estate in Marion, Vein Mountain's recreational gold mining and camping produce flour gold, fine gold, pickers, nuggets and golden friendships. 

Reminiscent of the small mining camps and “towns” that sprang up along the creeks and rivers in the 1800s, today several gold-panning camps are located on US-221 south of Marion real estate.  Visitors are welcome to cool off in the creeks and rivers and work side by side with an experienced prospector.  A dedicated miner is always ready to talk gold! 

Could be in the blood around here.  During the 1820s, McDowell County's Vein Mountain gold mines were the most productive mines in the United States, supplying Bechtler’s Mint in Rutherford County.  Tons of gold were also transported from the Mother Lode running through here and Dysartsville for coining at the Charlotte mint, which operated from 1838 until the start of the Civil War in 1861.   Gold has been an important part of North Carolina's history since 1799 with the first authenticated discovery in the U.S. taking place here.  It was the nation's only gold producing state from 1803 until 1828 and continued as a leading producer until 1848 when gold was discovered in California. 

Gold mining did forever change the landscape here.  Thousands of acres of virgin forest were harvested, mountains were leveled, and fertile farmland was scarred with mining pits.  Land prices skyrocketed.  Many farmers gave up the plow only to find that living conditions at the mining camps were unrefined.  Life was wrought with unforeseen episodes because of the unusual folk who came seeking their fortunes.  Tales from those times are only waiting for your listening ear.

Many modern-day prospectors do the gold circuit, seeing old friends at panning events like the North Carolina Gold Festival and the Gem Mining Festival.  As one visitor exclaimed, "People go all over the world and we have the very best right here at home."  And that very best includes camaraderie enriched by clubs like Vein Mountain Recreational Miners Club, Vein Mountain Miners Club, the Gold Prospectors Association and Lost Dutchman's Miner's Association.

So, whenever your “gold fever” peaks, come on out to these verdant Carolina hills to high bank, dredge, hand sluice, metal detect or pan under the gaze of peeping wildlife and the golden sunshine.  When you come out to see us, stop by Heather Grove Mine (7 miles south of town), The Lucky Strike Mine (8 mi.), and Thermal City Gold Mine (9 mi.).  Dale Rio Gold is a bit further (21 mi. south, then 10 miles east on US-64).  Add to these the Carolina Emerald Mine, Emerald Village Mine and Museum, and Golden Valley Campground and you could strike it rich today!  Well, maybe…. 

Watch out for “fake” gold.  “If you ain’t sure it’s gold, it probably ain’t!”  Here are a few pointers to help you to identify the "color" in your pan:

1) Gold is very soft (2.5-3 on Mohs scale of hardness) and can be hammered into thin sheets without shattering.  It is also heavy (specific gravity of 19.3 when pure).  Gold is insoluble in all acids except aqua regia (a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids).

2) Pyrite is harder than gold (6-6.5 on Mohs scale), is brittle and shatters when struck with a hammer.  It is also relatively light (specific gravity of 5.02).  Pyrite frequently forms small cubes.

3) Mica is as soft as gold (hardness 2-2.5), and naturally occurs in thin sheets or flakes that can be split into individual sheets.  Lighter than gold (specific gravity of 2.76-3.1), it is easily smeared with a fingernail or a sharp object.

Happy panning!  The ore actually produces the native gold as well as 40 different types of crystals and gems for you to learn to identify!