Calhoun Mine | |
 National Park Service photo, 1972 | |
   | |
| Location | Lumpkin County, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Dahlonega, Georgia |
| Coordinates | 34°29′31.34″N83°58′55.67″W / 34.4920389°N 83.9821306°W /34.4920389; -83.9821306 |
| Area | 110 acres (45 ha) |
| Built | 1828 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002292[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1973 |
| Designated NHL | November 7, 1973 |
TheCalhoun Mine is perhaps the oldest and best-known mine inLumpkin County, Georgia. When gold was discovered in Lumpkin County in 1828, which led to theGeorgia Gold Rush in 1829, it was discovered on 239 acres (0.97 km2) owned by Robert Obar. After at least two intermediary sales, the land was purchased bySenatorJohn C. Calhoun ofSouth Carolina, who later served as the 7thVice President of the United States. Calhoun started a mining company to mine the land and later allowed his son-in-lawThomas Green Clemson, the founder ofClemson University, to manage it. The ore deposit was a very rich deposit and, according to an 1856 letter from Clemson to his brother-in-law, was still producing significant quantities of gold nearly 30 years after its initial discovery on the land. This mine - along with theConsolidated Mine and theLoud Mine - were some of the most productive mines in theGeorgia Gold Belt.
In 1879, the Calhoun Mine passed from the Calhoun family. In 1939, after the deposits at the Calhoun Mine were long thought to be depleted, a small pocket was discovered and mined. After the initial excitement, things became quiet once again at the mine. The Calhoun Mine was added to theNational Register of Historic Places and named aNational Historic Landmark in 1973.[1][2]
Calhoun Mine is located about 3 miles (5 km) south ofDahlonega offState Route 60 and on the eastern side of theChestatee River. It lies on a hill on the west side of the road - about 0.6 miles (1 km) off the road - on the opposite side of the ridge, on private property.
The mine was designated aNational Historic Landmark and listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1973, for its nationally significant role as an instigating element of theCherokee removal. The mine was located directly adjacent to Cherokee land, and the conflict with miners illegally working Cherokee lands contributed to calls for removal, and the eventual displacement of, the Cherokee from their lands.[3]
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