Welcome to the NC Gold Foundation
The North Carolina Gold Foundation was formed to promote, educate, preserve and celebrate the state's gold heritage.
We're proud of our heritage and our place in history!
Did you know? Gold was found first in North Carolina?
Did you know? You can visit the sites where miners formed the first ever "gold rush"?
Did you know? There is still gold in those hills, and you can still pan for it!
Take a look through this site to find out much more about the living history of North Carolina Gold.
The North Carolina Gold Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
North Carolina's Rich Gold History
The Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. From this discovery, gold mining spread gradually to nearby counties and eventually into other southern states. During its peak years gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. The estimated value of gold recovered reached over one million dollars a year. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California
In 1799, 12 year-old Conrad Reed made the first documented gold find near Charlotte, in Cabarrus County. Soon thereafter, everyone from farmers to investors began to pan for gold. It didn't take long to create some 300 mines, employing locals and immigrants from South America and Europe.
As time passed, North Carolina became the only producer of domestic gold between 1804 and 1828. North Carolina was the highest gold producer in the nation, until 1848 when gold was discovered in California.
While there are plenty of stories and tales surrounding this period, the majority of mining activity occurred in the southern area of present day McDowell County, known as Vein Mountain.
Some streams and regions employed up to 3,000 workers. Members of McDowell County's "founding families" purchased acreage in the region. The McDowell and Carson families were at the forefront of this era, also sending slaves to work their mines. Some slaves became free men after working those stream beds and mines.
Successful miners created the Marion Bullion Company and just over the current county line the Bechtler Mint began operating. Evidence of the two are found today at Historic Carson House in Marion and at the Historic Bechtler House in Rutherfordton. During the 1950s, miners graduated from using earlier tools such as pans, sluice boxes and rocker troughs to implementing hydraulic mining methods.
When you visit area recreational mines, more than likely the mine was once a busy, commercial mining site. Today, North Carolinians operate many active commercial mines. Those found in western North Carolina, produce minerals used in electronics and a variety of other technical devices.
*Information taken from: History Of McDowell County by Mildred B. Fossett Copyright 1976
Visit Gold Sites in North Carolina
Lucky Strike Gold Mine
The Lucky Strike is a gold and gem mine with a campground that is committed to making sure our visitors have a memorable outing. You can take a step back in time to the days of yesteryear by taking a pan or sluice box into the stream.Experience the thrill of that golden gleam in your pan that only finding your first flake of gold can give. It immediately inflicts you with what the old timers called gold fever. Beware; when you see that first glint of gold in your pan you will be hooked! Gold fever has no cure but to hunt for more gold.
We also have Gold Panning at the flume line with local ore from the Second Broad River. When you get tired or hungry you can visit the Miners Diner , located next to the covered panning area and have a delicious Bonanza burger or Klondike dog with a frosty glass of Sluice Juice.
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Bechtler Mint Site Historic Park
In 1832, Christopher Bechtler of Rutherfordton minted the country's first one dollar gold coin (17 years before the U.S. mint). During the mid-1800s, the Bechtlers minted more than $2.24 million in gold coins. Explore the original location of the Bechtler mint and mine shaft.The site is a small park with a short loop walking trail with information boards that tell the story of local gold mining.
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Reed Gold Mine
Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. From this discovery, gold mining spread gradually to nearby counties and eventually into other southern states.Today, 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. An orientation film highlights the first gold discovery, and tours of a restored ore-crushing stamp mill are offered. A picnic area is available, and you can try your hand at gold panning. Trails wind through the historic mining area, too.
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We'd love to hear from you!
President
Doug McCormick Jr.
828-460-1961
Vice President and Foundation Founder
Elizabeth McCormick
828-655-0513
Festival Vendor Coordinator and Event Manager
Brooke Cochran
828-803-2247
Secretary
Rena Harp
Board Member
Ray Ledford
The Lucky Strike (Venue)
828-738-4893
You can contact us by 'snail mail' at the following address:
NC Gold Foundation, Inc. 251 Lucky Strike Drive, Marion, NC. 28752
Or use the form below to contact us via email. We will do our very best to get back to you within one business day.