On a Sunday morning, in 1799 in present day Midland, twelve-year-old Conrad Reed, son of John Reed, decided to go fishing in Meadow Creek with his siblings instead of attend church. Little did the Reeds know, this small decision would soon alter their life’s forever. While fishing, Conrad noticed something yellow shining in the water. He waded towards the object, and picking it up, believed it to be some kind of metal. When he returned home, unknowing of his monumental discovery, he showed it to his father. John, also unsure of what the item could be, decided to use it as a doorstop and life continued as usual.
Flickr / James St. John The years passed, and it wasn’t until 1802 when someone could identify the strange metal. A jeweler in Fayetteville identified the object as gold and offered to buy it. Reed, unaware of the price and value of gold, asked him what a “high price” would be. The jeweler paid him $3.50 for a piece of gold worth $3,600. With time, Reed learned the consequence of his error (and the actual value). He was able to receive some thousand dollars in compensation, yet, the gold rush had already begun. The following year, Reed, along with his brother-in-law Frederick Kiser, Reverend Love, and wealthy land owner Martin Phifer Jr. began the Reed mining operation, shoveling in the dry creek bed. One of Love’s slaves unearthed a 28-pound nugget worth more than $6600. It seemed on Reed’s land, you truly could ‘strike gold.’
Youtube Over the years, Reed, while uneducated, became a man of significant wealth. He invested in land and although had newfound income, lived modestly. Underground searches using tunnels didn’t begin until 1831, and the tunnel was closed for nearly a decade due to a family squabble in court. In 1845, when Reed passed, he died a very wealthy man. Others in the area had caught word of Reed’s good fortune, and during Reed’s mining days, several others began their own mining operations. It’s safe to say the “gold rush” happened first in North Carolina and later spread to California for bigger and better.
Flickr / Neal Wellons After his death, the mine was sold at auction and operated until 1912. The total in large nuggets alone resulted in over 100 pounds. Today, as a North Carolina historic site, the mine is open for public, guided walking tours.
Flickr / Neal Wellons
Flickr / Neal Wellons Take a walking tour through the tunnels, and explore where the original gold rush happened. Visitors can also explore the visitors center with exhibits of gold and historical mining equipment.
Yelp / Dwight C. Who knows? You might even get lucky yourself.
Yelp / Reed Gold Mine
Yelp / Reed Gold Mine After you get to experience history and explore the tunnels, take a walk around the trails that wind through the mining area.
Yelp / Dwight C. It’s amazing to think we get to walk through such an important part of North Carolina and American history. Today, Reed Gold Mine is the location of the first documented gold find in America.
North Carolina has plenty of history, and Reed’s Gold Mine is just one of those many fascinating historical events that have made North Carolina such a unique and amazing state. Have you visited the mine for yourself?
Flickr / James St. John
The years passed, and it wasn’t until 1802 when someone could identify the strange metal. A jeweler in Fayetteville identified the object as gold and offered to buy it. Reed, unaware of the price and value of gold, asked him what a “high price” would be. The jeweler paid him $3.50 for a piece of gold worth $3,600. With time, Reed learned the consequence of his error (and the actual value). He was able to receive some thousand dollars in compensation, yet, the gold rush had already begun. The following year, Reed, along with his brother-in-law Frederick Kiser, Reverend Love, and wealthy land owner Martin Phifer Jr. began the Reed mining operation, shoveling in the dry creek bed. One of Love’s slaves unearthed a 28-pound nugget worth more than $6600. It seemed on Reed’s land, you truly could ‘strike gold.’
Youtube
Over the years, Reed, while uneducated, became a man of significant wealth. He invested in land and although had newfound income, lived modestly. Underground searches using tunnels didn’t begin until 1831, and the tunnel was closed for nearly a decade due to a family squabble in court. In 1845, when Reed passed, he died a very wealthy man. Others in the area had caught word of Reed’s good fortune, and during Reed’s mining days, several others began their own mining operations. It’s safe to say the “gold rush” happened first in North Carolina and later spread to California for bigger and better.
Flickr / Neal Wellons
After his death, the mine was sold at auction and operated until 1912. The total in large nuggets alone resulted in over 100 pounds. Today, as a North Carolina historic site, the mine is open for public, guided walking tours.
Take a walking tour through the tunnels, and explore where the original gold rush happened. Visitors can also explore the visitors center with exhibits of gold and historical mining equipment.
Yelp / Dwight C.
Who knows? You might even get lucky yourself.
Yelp / Reed Gold Mine
After you get to experience history and explore the tunnels, take a walk around the trails that wind through the mining area.
It’s amazing to think we get to walk through such an important part of North Carolina and American history. Today, Reed Gold Mine is the location of the first documented gold find in America.
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