Vein
Mountain is located in the South Mountain belt which covers an area
about 300 square miles. Rich placer deposits are found along the major
streams
Brackettown
also has several quartz veins and gold is also panned in the streams.
Hydraulic mining was also introduced in the 1850s. A scientific method
of operation was also introduced at Brackettown.
During
the Civil War, Union Troops looted homesites in McDowell County. What
could not be placed underground was hidden in the woods or a deserted
cabin.
The
Cherokee Indians roamed through the fields and mountains of McDowell
County. They are known for their hand carved wooden statues and clay
bowls.
The Catawba Indians are well known for their pottery making
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Gold is a naturally occurring element (element symbol Au, atomic number
79), that is created in nature e.g. during supernovae explosions of type
II (see link "supernovae nucleosynthesis").
It also has been created in amounts of a several atoms by nuclear transmutation (see respective link), but it cannot be "created" or "destroyed" in the classical sense of chemistry.
On earth, gold is found mostly in solid form in veins in siliceous rocks. By alteration, it can be eroded and placed in form of powder, granules or nuggets in the riverbeds. Low concentrations of dissolved gold can also be found in the sea.Occurrence in nature
Gold occurs in nature in both its native state and in compounds. The native state of an element is its free state. It is not combined with any other element. The most common compounds of gold are the tellurides. A telluride is a compound of the element tellurium and one or more other elements.
At one time, gold was found in chunks or nuggets large enough to see. People mined gold by picking it out of streams and rivers. In fact, gold was once very common in some parts of the world. People valued it not because it was rare, but because it was so beautiful.
The abundance of gold in the Earth's crust is estimated to be about 0.005 parts per million. That makes it one of the ten rarest elements in the Earth's crust. Gold is thought to be much more common in the oceans. Some people believe as much as 70 million tons of gold are dissolved in seawater. They also think there may be another 10 billion tons on the bottom of the oceans. So far, however, no one has found a way to mine this gold.
About a quarter of the world's gold comes from South Africa. Other leading producers of the metal are the United States, Australia, Canada, China, and Russia. In the United States, about two-thirds of its gold is mined in Nevada. California, Montana, Alaska, and South Dakota also produce gold.
It also has been created in amounts of a several atoms by nuclear transmutation (see respective link), but it cannot be "created" or "destroyed" in the classical sense of chemistry.
On earth, gold is found mostly in solid form in veins in siliceous rocks. By alteration, it can be eroded and placed in form of powder, granules or nuggets in the riverbeds. Low concentrations of dissolved gold can also be found in the sea.Occurrence in nature
Gold occurs in nature in both its native state and in compounds. The native state of an element is its free state. It is not combined with any other element. The most common compounds of gold are the tellurides. A telluride is a compound of the element tellurium and one or more other elements.
At one time, gold was found in chunks or nuggets large enough to see. People mined gold by picking it out of streams and rivers. In fact, gold was once very common in some parts of the world. People valued it not because it was rare, but because it was so beautiful.
The abundance of gold in the Earth's crust is estimated to be about 0.005 parts per million. That makes it one of the ten rarest elements in the Earth's crust. Gold is thought to be much more common in the oceans. Some people believe as much as 70 million tons of gold are dissolved in seawater. They also think there may be another 10 billion tons on the bottom of the oceans. So far, however, no one has found a way to mine this gold.
About a quarter of the world's gold comes from South Africa. Other leading producers of the metal are the United States, Australia, Canada, China, and Russia. In the United States, about two-thirds of its gold is mined in Nevada. California, Montana, Alaska, and South Dakota also produce gold.
Motel's Near Vein Mountain:
Days Inn Marion
Phone:1-828-659-2567
Hampton Inn Marion
Phone: 1-828-652-5100
Days Inn Marion
4248 Highway 221 South I 40 - Marion, NC 28752
Days Inn near Vein Mountain Gold and Gem MinePhone:1-828-659-2567
Hampton Inn Marion
3560 US 221 South - Marion, NC 28752
Hampton Inn near Vein Mountain Gold and Gem MinePhone: 1-828-652-5100
Camp Grimes - Mecklenburg County Council
Camp Grimes Map & Directions
From
Charlotte
Take I-85 through Gastonia to exit
10B, US 74 West toward Kings Mountain / Shelby. Go 18 miles on US 74 West
through Shelby. Turn right on NC 226. Go 31 miles to Vein Mountain Road. Turn
left, go 0.3 miles to the camp entrance on the left.
Northern
Mecklenburg County
Take I-77 North to exit 51B, I-40 at
Statesville. Take I-40 west to Exit 103, US 64 toward Morganton /
Rutherfordton. Turn left at US 64. Go 12.7 miles to Fortune Road. Turn right
and go 1 mile to NC 226. Turn right and go 1.3 miles to Vein Mountain Road.
Turn left and go 0.3 miles to the camp entrance on the left.
Eastern
North Carolina
Take I-40 west to Exit 103, US 64
toward Morganton / Rutherfordton. Turn left at US 64. Go 12.7 miles to Fortune
Road. Turn right and go 1 mile to NC 226. Turn right and go 1.3 miles to Vein
Mountain Road. Turn left and go 0.3 miles to the camp entrance on the left.
Western
North Carolina, Tennessee
Take I-40 east to Exit 86, NC 226
South, at Marion. Go south approximately 8 miles to Club House Road. Turn right
and then turn slight right on to Vein Mountain Road, and go 0.3 miles to the
camp entrance on the left.
Address:
Mecklenburg Scout Reservation
383 Vein Mountain Rd
Nebo, North Carolina 28761
Mecklenburg Scout Reservation
383 Vein Mountain Rd
Nebo, North Carolina 28761
Telephone: 828-652-3923
Camp Grimes is My
Camp! 36 years of Boy Scout Camping 1976 to
2012
During the Carolina Gold Rush period of the early 19th
century, the south county area was known for its gold production. The banks of
the Muddy Creek and mines at Vein Mountain were productive areas. Many mines
and thriving gold rush towns such as Brackettown no longer exist, although
scattered ruins and cemeteries mark many locations of the gold rush period.
Two of the four gold mining locations in the area.
Thermal City Gold Mine
The best known recreational gold mining camp on the East Coast and a great place where to find gold in north carolina The western part of NC is rich in many commercial minerals and gem stones, and you can dig for emerald, citrine, rose quartz, rubies, Aventine, moonstone, smoky quartz, tourmaline and many more.
Thermal City is easily reachable by car. Located on Highway 221 it is halfway between Marion and Rutherford, right at the Rutherford– McDowell county lane. Coming from the Rutherfordton/Marion exit on I-40, head south towards Rutherfordton for around 8 or 8.5 miles and keep an eye for the road sign on the left hand side. Follow then the directions to the mine.
Accommodation at Thermal City is affordable and fits everyone’s budget. You can camp on the riverside for as little as $15.00 per night or get a cabin with double beds, a bath and a kitchenette with a microwave for $50.00.
You may bring your own mining gear and supplies or buy it from Thermal City. They are authorized resellers of Keene Engineering equipment and can provide you with pumps, hi-bankers/dredges, prospecting and mining supplies, gold pans, a wide range of prospecting books, sluice boxes and many more.
The Lucky Strike Recreational Gold and Gem Mine
Lucky Strike is another recreational facility in North Carolina. The campground is located in Vein Mountain in the Marion County, quite close to Thermal City Gold mine, and is open to the public, all year round, from 8am to 7pm.
Next to the regular mining and prospecting activities, Lucky Strike offers the Miner’s Diner – a restaurant for those who would rather be spending the whole day digging for gold than cooking – and, of course, accommodation at affordable rates.
Thermal City Gold Mine
The best known recreational gold mining camp on the East Coast and a great place where to find gold in north carolina The western part of NC is rich in many commercial minerals and gem stones, and you can dig for emerald, citrine, rose quartz, rubies, Aventine, moonstone, smoky quartz, tourmaline and many more.
Thermal City is easily reachable by car. Located on Highway 221 it is halfway between Marion and Rutherford, right at the Rutherford– McDowell county lane. Coming from the Rutherfordton/Marion exit on I-40, head south towards Rutherfordton for around 8 or 8.5 miles and keep an eye for the road sign on the left hand side. Follow then the directions to the mine.
Accommodation at Thermal City is affordable and fits everyone’s budget. You can camp on the riverside for as little as $15.00 per night or get a cabin with double beds, a bath and a kitchenette with a microwave for $50.00.
You may bring your own mining gear and supplies or buy it from Thermal City. They are authorized resellers of Keene Engineering equipment and can provide you with pumps, hi-bankers/dredges, prospecting and mining supplies, gold pans, a wide range of prospecting books, sluice boxes and many more.
The Lucky Strike Recreational Gold and Gem Mine
Lucky Strike is another recreational facility in North Carolina. The campground is located in Vein Mountain in the Marion County, quite close to Thermal City Gold mine, and is open to the public, all year round, from 8am to 7pm.
Next to the regular mining and prospecting activities, Lucky Strike offers the Miner’s Diner – a restaurant for those who would rather be spending the whole day digging for gold than cooking – and, of course, accommodation at affordable rates.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
How To Get To Vein Mountain
I-40 EAST "Going toward Charlotte" WEST "Going toward Asheville".
221 Exit "South" Left off exit ramp if coming from Charlotte.
Right off exit ramp if coming from Asheville.
Go Approx. 4.5 Miles to Pollyspouts Road,Turn LEFT.
Then go Approx. 2.5 Miles to Vein Mountain Road, Turn LEFT.
Once you make the left onto Vein Mountain Road, You will see the tunnel straight in front of you.
Along the way on Pollyspouts Road, you will pass 2 GOLD mining sites that offer all kinds of enjoyment.
221 Exit "South" Left off exit ramp if coming from Charlotte.
Right off exit ramp if coming from Asheville.
Go Approx. 4.5 Miles to Pollyspouts Road,Turn LEFT.
Then go Approx. 2.5 Miles to Vein Mountain Road, Turn LEFT.
Once you make the left onto Vein Mountain Road, You will see the tunnel straight in front of you.
Along the way on Pollyspouts Road, you will pass 2 GOLD mining sites that offer all kinds of enjoyment.
As you can see it is prone to flooding during heavy rains that have been persistent FOR DAYS ONLY.
It is a one lane tunnel with a small creek that runs through it.
There is a stop light on both sides of tunnel.
It was built in 1907.
As you can also tell it sometimes endures graffiti. And the state department from time to time will try and cover most of it up with black tar.
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