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Who is Conrad Reed?
In 1799 Conrad Reed, the 12-year-old son of German immigrant John Reed, uncovered a 17-pound gold nugget while fishing in Little Meadow Creek. Within four years, the first gold mine in the country had been established, starting as a placer mine and later expanding to vein or lode mining.
Where was Conrad Reed born?
North Carolina
History. In 1799, Conrad Reed, the son of farmer and former Hessian soldier John Reed (né Johannes Reidt) born June 6, 1757, found a 17-pound yellow “rock” in Little Meadow Creek on the family farm in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
Is gold Found in NC?
Gold occurs in North Carolina in both lode (veins or mineralized zones) and placer (stream sediment or residual) deposits. Although deposits were mined in both the Piedmont and Mountain regions, most of the early production was in the central Piedmont, particularly in the Carolina slate belt and in Mecklenburg County.
Did NC have a gold rush?
Two centuries ago, a young boy’s accidental discovery in Cabarrus County led to the first gold rush in the United States. For 50 years, North Carolina led the nation in gold production and gave a young country a new kind of wealth. Stately pines towered over the meandering Little Meadow Creek.
How much does it cost to go to Reed Gold Mine?
Reed Gold Mine is in southeastern Cabarrus County 12 miles southeast of Concord, 25 miles east of Charlotte, and 18 miles west of Albemarle. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The site is closed on Sunday, Monday and on major holidays. Admission is free.
Where was gold first discovered in the US?
On January 24, 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California. Though he tried to keep it quiet, word spread and soon there was a surge in immigration to California from people hoping to strike it rich. It was the most famous gold rush in American history—but, in fact, not the first.