Historic Markers - Wisconsin Lead Region WI24

Did you know that we would love to put your name in print on our site. It's as simple as 1-2-3. Register; take a digital picture; upload it to the site.

Wisconsin Statistics

Markers: 432
..with maps 153
..with pictures 379

Newest Wisconsin Markers

Home

Wisconsin

Lafayette County

Wisconsin Lead Region WI24

Photograph from the estate of Arthur H. Schaefer � Phillip T. Schaefer

Grant, Iowa and Lafayette counties were once the center of a lead-mining boom. Indians had sold lead to early traders, but there were few white miners here in 1820. Mining brought in a large part of the 37,000 population credited to the three counties in 1850. Prospecting was done by practical men with little aid from mineralogical experts. Their tools were the shovel, pick, gad or crowbar, hand-drill and blasting powder. Mines were lighted by candles set in gobs of fire-clay which would stick to any part of the rock wall. Some of the miners spent the winters in caves or hurriedly prepared dug-outs and were nicknamed "Badgers." Many of the once thriving mining centers are now ghost towns, only their refuse dumps and pock-marked land bearing the evidence of the old mining days.

Hwy 11, 1 mi. W of Shullsburg, Lafayette County Wisconsin.


Comments (0)

Show/Hide comment form toggle

< Prev