Mines, Miners, And Minerals of Western North Carolina: Western North Carolina's Hidden Mineralogical Treasures

by Lowell Presnell

Mining in Western North Carolina played an important economic role in the lives of its people and the state's history, but little has been recorded about the industry, especially the day-to-day trials and triumphs of the individual miner. Presented hear are the tales of old-timers as they talk about discovering huge books of mica, outrunning muck cars, and finding out in the nick of time that a mine has bad air. Marvel at Conrad Reed who found an interesting-looking rock (a seventeen-pound gold nugget) or Dr. George Kunz, vice president of Tiffany's, who searched for hiddenite but had to settle for gem-quality emeralds instead. Learn about the famous commercial and private mines that supplied this country with the raw materials needed for defense and technology. Minerals mined in Western North Carolina include alum, asbestos, lay, corundum, copper, chromium, feldspar, granite, gold, graphite, gravel, iron, kyanite, lead, limestone, mica, marble, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, quartz, sand, silver, tin, tungsten, talc, uranium, vermiculite, zinc, and many varieties of gemstones such as diamonds, garnets, emeralds, rubies, and beryl.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Steve Barrera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book on a whim from some museum gift shop, so long ago I can't remember where (presumably in North Carolina). It is a rather haphazardly written description of the history of mining in Western North Carolina, badly in need of editing, and clearly a passion project by the author as it mentions his family's connection to the mining industry, including stories about his father and his uncle. They primarily mined mica, which I learned was a big industry in the area around the turn of the 20th century. Since the writing isn't well organized, there's no enticing narrative here and there's a lot that the author seems to assume you already know, as though he is unaware that his reader might not have a background in mining and minerals. Still, if this subject is of any interest to you will learn some fun tidbits, and might enjoy the personal touch as the author regales you with family tales about mining, which will give you a good idea of how grueling and dangerous it is.