None — Twelve-year-old Daniel Reed made the first discovery of gold in 1799 right here in North Carolina. For $2.00, you can grab a panning bowl and discover your own little nugget of gold.
Reed Gold Mine is located in Midland, N.C. about 45 minutes from uptown Charlotte. Visitors can explore the underground mine on a free self-guided tour with a map that describes the shafts and veins.
During a hot summer day the underground shaft is cool with temperatures around 60 degrees, which provides a welcome break from the sun.
The tour also includes a walk through the Stamp Mill and a look at the ruins of the Engine House and shaft. The Stamp Mill houses a 10-stamp mill that's more than 100 years old, and there is only one other machine of its kind on the east coast.
Reed Gold Mine is a popular place for elementary field trips during the spring, when the mine has an average of 300 visitors per day.
Dee Dee Heath visited the mine Thursday for a second time with her family to pan. Heath feels that the mine is a "nice afternoon outing" for her children.
"They're talking about trying to find gold," she said.
Norman Walk has worked at the mine for 30 years, and pulls loads of rocks from Little Meadow Creek daily to operate the panning area. When asked what he enjoys most about his work, Walk spoke about the learning opportunity.
"The variety of education [available]; we are an educational facility in the respect of geology and history…gold panning is the fun part," he said.
Reed Gold Mine opens in April and offers tours until the end of October. To enjoy the panning experience, visitors pay $2. Groups interested in guided tours pay $1.50 per person and are required to call a month ahead to book the tour.
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