Ontario's Historical Plaques

at ontarioplaques.com

Learn a little Ontario history as told through its plaques

Ontario's First Gold Mine

Ontario's First Gold Mine

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted December, 2010

Ontario's First Gold Mine

Photo from Google Street View ©2010 Google - Posted December, 2010

Plaque Location

The County of Hastings
The Township of Madoc
In Eldorado, on the northwest corner of
Highway 62 and John Street at the northern end of the town


Coordinates: N 44 35.292 W 77 31.202

Map

Plaque Text

In August, 1866, Marcus Herbert Powell, Clerk of the Division Court and part-time prospector, struck gold nearby on the farm of John Richardson. The following year Ontario's first gold mine went into production on that site and the community of Eldorado was founded. The Richardson Mine proved unprofitable and soon ceased operation, but its discovery caused a substantial gold rush to the surrounding region. A number of small gold mines were subsequently established in southeastern Ontario, including the Deloro, Gilmour, Cordova, Feigle, Bannockburn and Golden Fleece. Owing to decreasing ore values, wasteful recovery methods and shortage of capital, most of these mines were abandoned after a few years of operation.

Related Ontario plaques
Gold Mining in Canada
The Geraldton Gold Camp
Kirkland Lake Gold Camp

More
Information

More
Mining





Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

(none yet)

Here's where you can write a comment for this page.

Note: If you wish to ask me a question, please use the email link in the menu.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours
(usually much sooner).