- Guest: John Dysart
- Thursday, November 4, 1999
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A child on a fishing trip went hunting for dinner and found gold instead. Conrad Reed, twelve-year-old son of Hessian immigrant John Reed, took a 17-pound "rock" home to his parents instead of fish. Not knowing gold had been brought into their home the "rock" was used as a doorstop for three years. After a Concord jeweler could not shed any light on the nature of the rock, John Reed took it along on an annual shopping trip to Fayetteville. A Fayetteville jeweler melted the "rock" down into a bar of almost pure gold. When asked to name his price for the bar, John Reed quoted what he thought was a big price, $3.50. For a farmer in those days that was a week's wages. As it turned out though, Reed had sold the bar for less than one percent of its actual value. The "rock" formally a doorstop was actually worth $3,600 (in today's terms, around $75,000). |
America's first gold rush was centered right here in North Carolina at Reed Gold Mine in Cabarrus County. From this discovery, gold mining spread to nearby counties and eventually into the southern states. During its peak years gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California.
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John Dysart, a graduate of the University of North Carolina in history, has been affiliated with state historical sites since 1978. Prior to assuming his present position at Reed gold Mine in 1979, he was the manager of the Fort Dobbs State Historic Site. Mr. Dysart is dedicated to educating the public on the role the gold mine has played in our history. This is evidenced by the many presentations he provides to various organizations around the state and the full schedule of school tours visiting the mine daily. Mr. Dysart networks with his colleagues through his involvement with the Mine Inspectors Institute and the Society of Mining Engineers. This year has been extremely busy for Mr. Dysart and the staff with the "Bicentennial" celebration. There have been "Gold Rush Runs," "Regional History Bowls,"festivals galore, "teacher Workshops," and drama presentations. One of Mr. Dysart's favorite roles at the mine is that of the "Mad Miner" in the Halloween fundraiser. (You can experience this first hand -- see the "Upcoming Events" section below for information.) |
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State Library information on Reed Gold Mine
Walking Tour of Reed Gold Mine
Student Project Sheet: Write and Illustrate a Brochure
Upcoming Events at Reed Gold Mine
OLD FASHION COUNTRY HAYRIDES -- CAMPFIRE GHOST STORIES -- MAGIC SHOWS BY CHAZ -- TREATS FOR THE KIDS -- A MOBILE ROCK CLIMBING WALL Admission $2.00 |
Join us for a celebration with Victorian style decorations, 19th century craft demonstrations, underground tours, stamp mill tours, and refreshments. December 5th, 1 -5 PM |
Portions of the underground tunnels at the Reed mine have been restored for guided tours. A visitor center contains exhibits of gold and historical mining equipment. For more information, please contact: Reed Gold Mine 9621 Reed Mine Road Stanfield, North Carolina 28163 (704-721-4653)
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