In Vermont gold was first reported in 1826; commercial gold mining until 1957; read about these and other facts and figures about gold mining in VT
Contents
- Is there Gold in Vermont?
- Where is Gold in Vermont?
- What is the History of Gold Mining in Vermont?
- How much Gold has been Mined Vermont?
- What is the Current State of Gold Mining in Vermont?
- How many Gold Reserves are in Vermont?
- What Companies Mine Gold in Vermont?
- Where are New Gold Mines Explored or Developed in Vermont?
- Where Can I Pan for Gold in Vermont?
- Is There Gold in Other US States?
Is there Gold in Vermont?
Yes, there is gold in Vermont, but no active gold mining industry anymore:
- Gold discovery probably in 1826; year of maximum production was 1954 with 185 ounces (5.8 kg). Gold production ended in 1957.
- The Vermont Gold Rush began was in 1855, which was a subdued affair compared to the California Gold Rush of 1849.
- 1957 was the last year for which gold production numbers were published. Production was recorded at 62 ounces (1.9 kg) for that year.
- From 1905 to 1955 total gold output was 1,744 ounces (54.0 kg); (Note: Reports on gold mining from before 1905 are incomplete and in several years in the 1950s gold output form Vermont was included in that of Pennsylvania. These numbers are excluded from the total.) The 1,744 ounces make the state the 2nd lowest gold producer in the United States (after Maryland with 6,123 ounces and Indiana with a lower, not published, output). The biggest producer east of the Mississippi is North Carolina with a still active gold mine, and in the whole of the United States, Nevada is by fast the biggest gold producer in the nation.
- Gold was found foremost in Plymouth Five and Bridgewater.
- 29 historic gold sites in Vermont are listed by the US geological Survey, such as the Copperas Hill mine, the Elizabeth mine and the Fairlee Gold mine. Most of these sites are closed.
Key Takeaways:
| Fact | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Remember | Second smallest gold producing state; gold throughout the state, but not in significant quantities to be of economic value |
| Gold Deposits | Yes |
| Discovery Year | 1826 probably |
| Discoverer | Not recorded |
| Mining Industry | Not active |
| Panning Locations | Around the Great Fall area on the Potomac river |
Check out the video about gold in Vermont:
Where is Gold in Vermont?
Gold in Vermont was mined primarily in the Plymouth and Bridgewater areas. Even though the Bridgewater area contains many historical gold mines and shafts, many of these did not produce any gold or only in such quantities that a commercial enterprise was not feasible.
See the map below from 1859 with gold claims (open circles) in the five corners area of Vermont.
Source: USGS
What is the History of Gold Mining in Vermont?
Compared to other gold producing states, gold mining was on a very small in Vermont. It has the second lowest total production of all US states; tailed only by Indiana, whose production numbers insignificantly small and not published.
Who discovered gold in Vermont?
- Gold was discovered in 1826 on the banks of the West River in Newfane. This did not cause much excitement because a family of counterfeiters, the Wheelers lived in the area. Locals suspected them having lost the gold. Still, the year 1829 is quoted by some of the year of the first gold discovery. See also picture above of an official historic gold marker in the state of Vermont.
- Another discovery occurred in 1833 by Professor Edward Hitchock who conducted a geological survey in Massachusetts. Here, crossed stateliness and discovered gold in the streams of Vermont.
When was the gold rush in Vermont?
- In the 1880s was the high time of the gold fever in the Raymond Hill and Freestop Hill areas in Bridgewater, north of Plymouth. At that time, many shafts and mines were dug. However, none of them produced large enough amounts of gold to make the gold mine an economical enterprise.
What was the nature of gold mining in Vermont?
- Bridgewater was a gold mining hot spot with many gold mines, most of them underground. Most did not produce any gold. And those that did produced gold in such low quantities, that the miners could not make a profit. See also map below.
- In Plymouth Five Corners, gold was produced by panning and sluicing in streams. Some of them are: Rock River, West River, Williams River, Ottauquechee River, White River, Third Branch of the White River, Mad River, Little River, Lamoille River, Gihon River and Missisquoi River.
When did gold mining end in Vermont?
- Gold output was reported by the Bureau of Mines the last time for the year 1957. However, the Vermont gold output for many years in the 1950s were combined with the (much higher) figures of Pennsylvania, which historically produced much more gold.
Sources: Grant, R. W. (1968): Mineral Collecting in Vermont, USGS
How much Gold has been Mined Vermont?
- From 1905 to 1957 total gold output was 1,744 ounces (54.0 kg).
- Reports on gold mining from before 1905 are incomplete and in several years in the 1950s gold output form Vermont was included in that of Pennsylvania which historically had a much higher gold output. Years in which the gold output of both states are combined, are excluded from. the total output. The 1,744 ounces make the state the 2nd lowest gold producer in the United States. Lower is only Indiana, whose gold production numbers are not public record.
- For the 19th century, an extract of the recordings:
- One miner panned something more than $2,800 of gold out of Plymouth’s Gold Brook in one day during the summer of 1858.
- Later that same year more than $42,000 worth of the yellow metal was sluiced out of a nearby mill pond.
- As late as 1884, it is reported that approximately $78,000 worth of ore was taken out of a newly-opened mine in Plymouth during a six-month period.
Historical gold prices in ounce from 1867 till 1951:
| Year | Gold Price per Ounce |
|---|---|
| 1867 – 1878 | Between $20.69 and $27.87 |
| 1879 – 1932 | $20.67 |
| 1933 | $35.00 |
| 1934 – 1939 | $35.00 |
| 1940 – 1951 | Between $35.50 and $35.25 |
Sources: Gold in Vermont: A collection of articles, USGS
What is the Current State of Gold Mining in Vermont?
The last year of gold production in Vermont was 1957, according to the Bureau of Mines.
How many Gold Reserves are in Vermont?
There is no estimate about the gold reserves in Vermont.
What Companies Mine Gold in Vermont?
There are currently no active commercial gold mines in Vermont. Current gold mining activities in Vermont are amateur and hobby prospecting, primarily consisting of individual or small-scale placer operations.
Where are New Gold Mines Explored or Developed in Vermont?
There is no record about gold projects in Vermont.
Is it Legal to Mine Gold in Vermont?
Yes, it is legal to mine gold in Vermont, subject to certain regulations and guidelines.
- Hand panning does not require authorization, but any mineral prospecting on streams or lands without the property owner’s permission is prohibited.
- Gold prospecting in Vermont requires a permit when using a sluice box. Vermont residents need to pay $25 annually, while non-residents pay $50 for the permit. Landowner permission is also necessary, and suction dredging is prohibited.
Sources: Agency of Natural Resources
Where Can I Pan for Gold in Vermont?
Check out a video about gold panning in Vermont:
- Gold has been found in at least 10 of Vermont’s 14 counties, with the Little and Mad rivers highlighted as good prospecting spots.
- Historically, gold was panned in the Plymouth Five Corners area in the following rivers and its tributaries: Rock River, West River, Williams River, Ottauquechee River, White River, Third Branch of the White River, Mad River, Little River, Lamoille River, Gihon River and Missisquoi River
- While gold deposits in Vermont are not significant enough to attract commercial mining operations, enthusiasts can still enjoy panning for gold in rivers and streams.
Sources:Grant, R. W. (1968): Mineral Collecting in Vermont, seven days
Is There Gold in Other US States?
Check out gold production in neighboring states of Vermont: New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGC), there are 11 states that mine gold and contribute towards the gold mining statistic: Nevada is responsible for the majority of gold output, around 72%, followed by Alaska (13%). 9 other contribute in sum to the remaining 15% of gold production: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.