Figure 6. The most notorious development in Maine's mining history was the metal mining boom of 1879 to 1882. The origin of this boom is unclear, though it is said that men returning from the gold rushes in the West found a similarity between the metal-bearing rocks of Maine and ore deposits of the western states (Perkins, 1941). There was great excitement as mining companies were organized, buildings were erected, expensive machinery was installed, and in some cases mills, concentrators, and smelters were constructed. The stock certificate shown above dates from the period of this mining boom.

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Last updated on October 6, 2005

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