North Carolina Historic Sites

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. Continued

The Mine

• Reed Gold Mine Today
• History of John Reed's Mine
• Tapping the Veins
• Buildings and Machinery (35KB)
• Equipment (74KB)
• Preserving the Mine
• Glossary of Mining Terminology
• Other Websites

Site Maps

• Site Layout
• Site Topography (47KB)
• Mine Features (93KB)

Upcoming Events

• June 8: Pan-O-lympics
  Saturday 10 am - 4 pm
  Join us for our annual "Pan-O-lympics" celebration, the first in a series of summer "Second Saturdays" events. Visitors will gain a better understanding of the work that miners would have done to extract gold from the N.C. soil in the 19th century. Visitors will be able to participate in a variety of activities related to gold mining. Fee and registration required for NC Open Panning Competition. Contact the site at 704-721-GOLD (4653) for information.

Reed Gold Mine Information

• Map & Directions
• Central Regional Map
• Local Weather
• Special Events
• Facilities

Contact Us

Reed Gold Mine
9621 Reed Mine Rd.
Midland, N.C. 28107
Phone: (704) 721-GOLD (4653)
Fax: (704) 721-4657
Email: reed@ncdcr.gov

Hours of Operation

Tuesday - Saturday--9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Closed Sundays, Mondays, and most major holidays.

Admission Fee

No fee is charged for admission or tours of the mine. Gold panning is available seasonally, weather permitting. The fee is $3 per pan. A group rate of $2 per pan is available, call for details.