Oldest Goldmines Found in Georgia

Georgia Gold Rush

• The Georgia gold rush began in 1829, a year after Benjamin Parks found gold in Lumpkin County. Although the Parks discovery was credited with spurring the gold rush, Indians and whites knew of gold in the area much earlier. By 1829, at least two mines were already in operation in Nacoochee Valley, and the gold rush had spread across North Georgia.

Sixes Mine

• Francisco J. Collazo says in "The History of the Gold Rush" that the Sixes Mine in Cherokee County may have been in operation as early as 1819, which would have pre-dated the Georgia gold rush. The Cherokee Indians worked side-by-side with early white miners in the Sixes Mine.

Calhoun Mine

• The Calhoun Mine -- among the first gold mines operating in Georgia -- sits on the land where Parks first made his gold discovery while deer hunting. Parks obtained a prospector's lease from the owner, in return for one quarter of any gold found, which he then sold to John C. Calhoun. The mine is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Crisson Gold Mine

• The Crisson Gold Mine in Dahlonega didn't began operation until 1847, near the end of the gold rush. However, as of June 2011, the mine is still in operation and open to the public for tours.

Impact on the Cherokee

• Conflict arose between Cherokee Indians and the gold rush miners who trespassed on their land. Additionally, an increase in population of white settlers led to greater demand for plantation land. According to "A Dictionary of World History," these combined pressures led to the Indian Removal Act of 1838, forcing the Cherokee to move to Oklahoma -- the journey known as the Trail of Tears. The Georgia gold rush continued until 1849, when reports of California gold reached miners luring them West after greater riches.