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Davis, Massachusetts

April 11, 2024

Davis, Massachusetts, is the abandoned location of the Davis Pyrite Mine, located in the town of Rowe, Massachusetts. Once the largest iron pyrite mine in Massachusetts, Davis grew to be a decent sized mining village at the beginnings of the Second Industrial Revolution (1870–1915). But in 1911, a non-fatal collapse of the mine due to "poor mining practices" ended the nearly 30-year run. By 1937, the mining camp had faded, and all that remained were a blacksmith shop and about 150 cellar holes.

Acid mine drainage at the Davis Mine

Location edit

Davis is located at 42°41′52″N 72°52′13″W / 42.69778°N 72.87028°W / 42.69778; -72.87028.

The abandoned mining village is located in the Town of Rowe, in Franklin County, about 3 mi (4.8 km) north of Charlemont and 2 mi (3.2 km) south-southeast of Rowe. The area is east of Davis Mine Road and west of Davis Mine Brook. Both Rowe (2000 pop - 351) and Charlemont (2000 pop - 1358) are small towns in the rolling hills of northwestern Massachusetts. Rowe was established in 1762 and incorporated in 1785, and Charlemont was established in 1742 and incorporated in 1765.[1][2]

Mining camp settlement edit

An iron pyrite outcrop was discovered and a mine developed by H.J. Davis around 1882. The eastern section of Rowe, called Davis, became the center of activity because of the profitable operation of Davis Sulfur Ore Mine for twenty-nine years.[3] The Davis Mine supplied a major economic boost to both Rowe and Charlemont.[4]

A good-sized mining camp developed at the site, which included a blacksmith shop, butcher shop, electric lighting, and at least 150 homes. There were four mining shafts, and a period photo of Shaft #1 shows a large enclosed headframe (shafthouse) tram and what appears to be a reduction works of some kind (smokestack and large building). It is said the mine produced about 100 tons of pyrite a day, and the iron sulfide was used to produce sulfuric acid, a commercially important chemical. Charlemont claims to be the first electrified town in Massachusetts, so it is possible that power was then run to the mining camp. The miners are said to have earned $12–15 per day (that claim has not been verified), which in those days was excellent pay.[4]

Economic impact edit

Until its 1911 cave-in, the Davis mine had become a mainstay of Rowe’s economy. It was a lucrative source of iron pyrite. Popularly known as fool's gold, pyrite can be processed to yield substantial quantities of sulfide, which can in turn be used to manufacture sulfuric acid. (The mine also yielded smaller but, nevertheless, financially significant amounts of copper.) [5] The pyrite deposit is located in mica and quartz schists, which includes the presence of chalcopyrite and sphalerite. Average sulfur content was reported to be 47 percent, and copper content about 1.5 percent.[6][7]

By 1875, Charlemont's industrial base was limited to several sawmills, two scythe snatches (handles) shops and a chair making operation. With the opening and success of the Davis iron pyrite and talc mine in Rowe in the 1880s, a prospecting craze developed in the area.[4][8] In 1892 the main shaft was 501 feet deep, and production was reported to be 334,552 tons of pyrite.[6][9]

Mining operations were also opened in Charlemont during this period and included the Massachusetts Talc Company in the village of Zoar. The merchants of Charlemont Center benefited greatly from this prospecting craze. Two shops opened in the early 1890s, which were important to the Town's economy for a number of years. In 1891, W.M. Pratt established a rake handle factory and the following year, H.H. Frary opened a carriage shop, which also produced wooden spools for the silk mills in Northampton.[8]

During its 29-year working life, the Davis Mine pumped thousands of tax dollars into the town’s coffers, and became a local tourist attraction as well. Visitors could climb an observation tower above the main shaft for a panoramic view of the bustling operation, which featured on-site blacksmith and butcher shops, a steady traffic of horse-drawn ore and coal wagons and the town’s first electric lighting. The annual payroll amounted to $100,000, and local farmers made extra income supplying the mine with timber and firewood, while selling fruit, vegetables and dairy products to the workers.[5]

Today edit

Little remains of the camp today. The area has several cellar holes of defunct houses, and second-growth forest has staked its claim to much of the land along these unpaved backroads.[5] However, the Davis Mine is a major study area as there are ecological concerns due to a pollution plume exuding from the old workings down into Davis Mine Creek. When the mine collapsed, groundwater seeped into the old workings, and now flows out and downhill into the creek. The University of Massachusetts Amherst has used this as a study site. The remains of the Davis Mine are on private property (it is posted), so access is not available.[4] Other abandoned mines of the Davis Mine period in the Charlemont area within the Hawley "Mineral Belt" stratabound massive sulfide deposit are the Hawks or Mt. Peak Mine and the Mary Louise or Davenport Mine.[9][10]

Pollution study edit

Acid mine drainage (AMD), occurring at abandoned mines, is a water problem characterized by low pH and high levels of metals.[11] An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Massachusetts Amherst is studying why the AMD from the abandoned sulfide mine is slowly cleaning itself over time. The group brings together experts from the fields of microbiology, geology, engineering, and science education, to determine the extent and rate of bioremediation.

According to professors in the study, the overflowing groundwater drains out of the old mine shafts, and flows down the stream channel. The drainage waters are more acidic than vinegar, with pH values around 2, and carry large loads of metals, including copper, zinc, and iron. In other areas of the country, similar acid-mine drainage from former coal or gold mines can mobilize additional undesirable contaminants. Researchers stress, however, that there is no threat to the local environment or the area's water supply, because the iron sulfide in the Davis mine contains few hazardous impurities. This makes the site an ideal subject for examining the natural processes that are contained in the drainage.

Researchers have said their findings may enable quicker natural cleanups not just at the Davis mine, but at others throughout the country and the world. The project has received a $1.59-million grant from the "Biocomplexity in the Environment" program of the National Science Foundation.[12]

See also edit

Notes and references edit

  1. ^ Town of Rowe, MA (April 1, 2010). . Rowe-ma.gov. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  2. ^ Cheryl Handsaker - Charlemont Web Works (January 8, 2012). "Town of Charlemont Massachusetts". Charlemont, MA: Charlemont-ma.us. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  3. ^ Town of Rowe, MA (March 22, 2013). . Rowe-ma.gov. Archived from the original on July 18, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d "Davis Mine, Massachusetts". Freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com. August 5, 2006. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c [1] October 25, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b Rutledge, J.J. Davis pyrites mine Massachusetts, Engineering and Mining Journal, vol. 82, pp. 673-676, 724-727, 772-774. 1906.
  7. ^ Espenshade, Gilbert H. and Broedel Carl H. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 157. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INDEX MAP OF SULFUR AND PYRITES DEPOSITS IN THE UNITED STATES AND ALASKA (Including references to July 1, 1951). Page 27.
  8. ^ a b . Charlemont-ma.us. October 19, 1999. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Quinn, A.W. Geology of the Charlemont-Heath area with special reference to pyrite and copper deposits. 1945.
  10. ^ "Hawks pyrite mine (Mount Peak Mine), Charlemont, Franklin Co., Massachusetts, USA". Mindat.org. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  11. ^ . Umasssoils.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  12. ^ "UMass team to study bioremediation of acid, heavy metals from collapsed mine". News.bio-medicine.org. November 21, 2002. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  • Luciano, Elizabeth, Bio-Medicine Web Portal Article, 2002
  • McCarthy, Helen, The Story of the Davis Mine, Rowe Historical Society, 1966, 1977
  • O'Carroll, Christopher, UMass Magazine, Fall 2003
  • Speck, Gary B. Davis Mine: Franklin Co., Massachusetts. Ancestry.com Community: Gary B. Speck Publications, 2006.)
  • Stauber, C.L The Use of Local Carbon Sources in Encouraging Acid Mine Drainage Bioremediation

External links edit

  • Ancestry.com
  • Ghosttowns.com
  • Rowe, MA
  • Charlemont, MA
  • Bio-Medicine article, 2002
  • UMass Magazine, Fall 2003
  • C.L. Stauber: The Use of Local Carbon Sources in Encouraging Acid Mine Drainage Bioremediation

April 11, 2024
davis, massachusetts, abandoned, location, davis, pyrite, mine, located, town, rowe, massachusetts, once, largest, iron, pyrite, mine, massachusetts, davis, grew, decent, sized, mining, village, beginnings, second, industrial, revolution, 1870, 1915, 1911, fat. Davis Massachusetts is the abandoned location of the Davis Pyrite Mine located in the town of Rowe Massachusetts Once the largest iron pyrite mine in Massachusetts Davis grew to be a decent sized mining village at the beginnings of the Second Industrial Revolution 1870 1915 But in 1911 a non fatal collapse of the mine due to poor mining practices ended the nearly 30 year run By 1937 the mining camp had faded and all that remained were a blacksmith shop and about 150 cellar holes Acid mine drainage at the Davis Mine Contents 1 Location 2 Mining camp settlement 3 Economic impact 4 Today 5 Pollution study 6 See also 7 Notes and references 8 External linksLocation editDavis is located at 42 41 52 N 72 52 13 W 42 69778 N 72 87028 W 42 69778 72 87028 The abandoned mining village is located in the Town of Rowe in Franklin County about 3 mi 4 8 km north of Charlemont and 2 mi 3 2 km south southeast of Rowe The area is east of Davis Mine Road and west of Davis Mine Brook Both Rowe 2000 pop 351 and Charlemont 2000 pop 1358 are small towns in the rolling hills of northwestern Massachusetts Rowe was established in 1762 and incorporated in 1785 and Charlemont was established in 1742 and incorporated in 1765 1 2 Mining camp settlement editAn iron pyrite outcrop was discovered and a mine developed by H J Davis around 1882 The eastern section of Rowe called Davis became the center of activity because of the profitable operation of Davis Sulfur Ore Mine for twenty nine years 3 The Davis Mine supplied a major economic boost to both Rowe and Charlemont 4 A good sized mining camp developed at the site which included a blacksmith shop butcher shop electric lighting and at least 150 homes There were four mining shafts and a period photo of Shaft 1 shows a large enclosed headframe shafthouse tram and what appears to be a reduction works of some kind smokestack and large building It is said the mine produced about 100 tons of pyrite a day and the iron sulfide was used to produce sulfuric acid a commercially important chemical Charlemont claims to be the first electrified town in Massachusetts so it is possible that power was then run to the mining camp The miners are said to have earned 12 15 per day that claim has not been verified which in those days was excellent pay 4 Economic impact editUntil its 1911 cave in the Davis mine had become a mainstay of Rowe s economy It was a lucrative source of iron pyrite Popularly known as fool s gold pyrite can be processed to yield substantial quantities of sulfide which can in turn be used to manufacture sulfuric acid The mine also yielded smaller but nevertheless financially significant amounts of copper 5 The pyrite deposit is located in mica and quartz schists which includes the presence of chalcopyrite and sphalerite Average sulfur content was reported to be 47 percent and copper content about 1 5 percent 6 7 By 1875 Charlemont s industrial base was limited to several sawmills two scythe snatches handles shops and a chair making operation With the opening and success of the Davis iron pyrite and talc mine in Rowe in the 1880s a prospecting craze developed in the area 4 8 In 1892 the main shaft was 501 feet deep and production was reported to be 334 552 tons of pyrite 6 9 Mining operations were also opened in Charlemont during this period and included the Massachusetts Talc Company in the village of Zoar The merchants of Charlemont Center benefited greatly from this prospecting craze Two shops opened in the early 1890s which were important to the Town s economy for a number of years In 1891 W M Pratt established a rake handle factory and the following year H H Frary opened a carriage shop which also produced wooden spools for the silk mills in Northampton 8 During its 29 year working life the Davis Mine pumped thousands of tax dollars into the town s coffers and became a local tourist attraction as well Visitors could climb an observation tower above the main shaft for a panoramic view of the bustling operation which featured on site blacksmith and butcher shops a steady traffic of horse drawn ore and coal wagons and the town s first electric lighting The annual payroll amounted to 100 000 and local farmers made extra income supplying the mine with timber and firewood while selling fruit vegetables and dairy products to the workers 5 Today editLittle remains of the camp today The area has several cellar holes of defunct houses and second growth forest has staked its claim to much of the land along these unpaved backroads 5 However the Davis Mine is a major study area as there are ecological concerns due to a pollution plume exuding from the old workings down into Davis Mine Creek When the mine collapsed groundwater seeped into the old workings and now flows out and downhill into the creek The University of Massachusetts Amherst has used this as a study site The remains of the Davis Mine are on private property it is posted so access is not available 4 Other abandoned mines of the Davis Mine period in the Charlemont area within the Hawley Mineral Belt stratabound massive sulfide deposit are the Hawks or Mt Peak Mine and the Mary Louise or Davenport Mine 9 10 Pollution study editAcid mine drainage AMD occurring at abandoned mines is a water problem characterized by low pH and high levels of metals 11 An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Massachusetts Amherst is studying why the AMD from the abandoned sulfide mine is slowly cleaning itself over time The group brings together experts from the fields of microbiology geology engineering and science education to determine the extent and rate of bioremediation According to professors in the study the overflowing groundwater drains out of the old mine shafts and flows down the stream channel The drainage waters are more acidic than vinegar with pH values around 2 and carry large loads of metals including copper zinc and iron In other areas of the country similar acid mine drainage from former coal or gold mines can mobilize additional undesirable contaminants Researchers stress however that there is no threat to the local environment or the area s water supply because the iron sulfide in the Davis mine contains few hazardous impurities This makes the site an ideal subject for examining the natural processes that are contained in the drainage Researchers have said their findings may enable quicker natural cleanups not just at the Davis mine but at others throughout the country and the world The project has received a 1 59 million grant from the Biocomplexity in the Environment program of the National Science Foundation 12 See also editList of ghost towns in MassachusettsNotes and references edit Town of Rowe MA April 1 2010 The Official Site of Town of Rowe MA Rowe ma gov Archived from the original on June 16 2013 Retrieved July 12 2013 Cheryl Handsaker Charlemont Web Works January 8 2012 Town of Charlemont Massachusetts Charlemont MA Charlemont ma us Retrieved July 12 2013 Town of Rowe MA March 22 2013 Town of Rowe MA Facts and Figures Rowe ma gov Archived from the original on July 18 2013 Retrieved July 12 2013 a b c d Davis Mine Massachusetts Freepages history rootsweb ancestry com August 5 2006 Retrieved July 12 2013 a b c 1 Archived October 25 2007 at the Wayback Machine a b Rutledge J J Davis pyrites mine Massachusetts Engineering and Mining Journal vol 82 pp 673 676 724 727 772 774 1906 Espenshade Gilbert H and Broedel Carl H UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 157 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INDEX MAP OF SULFUR AND PYRITES DEPOSITS IN THE UNITED STATES AND ALASKA Including references to July 1 1951 Page 27 a b Charlemont OSRP Community Setting Charlemont ma us October 19 1999 Archived from the original on February 17 2012 Retrieved July 13 2013 a b Quinn A W Geology of the Charlemont Heath area with special reference to pyrite and copper deposits 1945 Hawks pyrite mine Mount Peak Mine Charlemont Franklin Co Massachusetts USA Mindat org Retrieved September 4 2013 Welcome to AEHS Foundation Umasssoils com Archived from the original on February 17 2012 Retrieved July 13 2013 UMass team to study bioremediation of acid heavy metals from collapsed mine News bio medicine org November 21 2002 Retrieved July 13 2013 Luciano Elizabeth Bio Medicine Web Portal Article 2002 McCarthy Helen The Story of the Davis Mine Rowe Historical Society 1966 1977 O Carroll Christopher UMass Magazine Fall 2003 Speck Gary B Davis Mine Franklin Co Massachusetts Ancestry com Community Gary B Speck Publications 2006 Stauber C L The Use of Local Carbon Sources in Encouraging Acid Mine Drainage BioremediationExternal links editAncestry com Ghosttowns com Rowe MA Charlemont MA Bio Medicine article 2002 UMass Magazine Fall 2003 C L Stauber The Use of Local Carbon Sources in Encouraging Acid Mine Drainage Bioremediation Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Davis Massachusetts amp oldid 1197369478, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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