09 AUGUST 2011romenews-tribune
Local bauxite history shared in Shannon
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
2 min read
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was mining in Floyd County.
It wasn’t the kind that involved long tunnels and workers breathing in coal dust underground.
The mines produced bauxite, which is used to make aluminum.
The first bauxite found in the United States was found in this area, according to local resident Chuck King. He shared his research into the bauxite mines in the Hermitage area with the Watters District Council for Historical Preservation on Monday night at the Shannon Scout Cabin.
James Holland first discovered the bauxite in 1887 when he was digging a new water well, King said.
He took the sample to Edward Nichols at the Ridge Valley Iron Company in Hermitage.
“He (Holland) thought it was iron,” King said.
But it was bauxite, which was priced higher than gold in the 19th century, according to King.
The first bauxite from the mines in the Hermitage area was shipped to Pennsylvania in 1888.
The bauxite was dug by hand and transferred to the rail line by small tramcars.
But because bauxite could be produced cheaper overseas and an anti-trust lawsuit against Alcoa, one of the largest companies, lingered for eight years, the area mills died.
It was revived for a short while during World War II to produce aluminum the U.S. government needed.
The last shipment from the Hermitage area was in 1943.
One of the largest symbols of the mining area is not in the Hermitage/Shannon area but at Berry College.
The water wheel was a gift from the Republic Mining Company, which had used it in its mining operation.
It wasn’t the kind that involved long tunnels and workers breathing in coal dust underground.
The mines produced bauxite, which is used to make aluminum.
The first bauxite found in the United States was found in this area, according to local resident Chuck King. He shared his research into the bauxite mines in the Hermitage area with the Watters District Council for Historical Preservation on Monday night at the Shannon Scout Cabin.
James Holland first discovered the bauxite in 1887 when he was digging a new water well, King said.
He took the sample to Edward Nichols at the Ridge Valley Iron Company in Hermitage.
“He (Holland) thought it was iron,” King said.
But it was bauxite, which was priced higher than gold in the 19th century, according to King.
The first bauxite from the mines in the Hermitage area was shipped to Pennsylvania in 1888.
The bauxite was dug by hand and transferred to the rail line by small tramcars.
But because bauxite could be produced cheaper overseas and an anti-trust lawsuit against Alcoa, one of the largest companies, lingered for eight years, the area mills died.
It was revived for a short while during World War II to produce aluminum the U.S. government needed.
The last shipment from the Hermitage area was in 1943.
One of the largest symbols of the mining area is not in the Hermitage/Shannon area but at Berry College.
The water wheel was a gift from the Republic Mining Company, which had used it in its mining operation.
Previous article
Suriname eying US$3.5B of investments
Next articleAlcoa Starts Construction of Refinery at Saudi Venture
Grow with
AL Circle
