Burra Burra Mine

The Burra Burra Mine takes its name from the famous mine of the same name in Australia. Located in Ducktown, Tennessee, it operated from 1899-1959. The area where the mine is located is at the center of the "copper basin." This basin consists of areas in Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. The Ocoee River flows through the southwestern portion of this area.  The Burra Burra Mine is located approximately 1,798 feet above sea level. The land that now comprises the "copper basin" were Cherokee lands until 1836, when the Federal Government took control of the basin. In 1843, copper was discovered for the first time. However, it was difficult to access due to the lack of major roads. In 1850, the current US-64 was constructed through the Ocoee Gorge, and in 1860, the Burra Burra Copper Company was established. Mining operations did not last long, due to the outbreak of the Civil War. Following the war, costs of transporting copper out of the mines became so expensive that the Burra Burra Copper Company was forced out of business. By the early 1890s, the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad, and the Knoxville Southern Railroad constructed a rail line that connected the copper basin to both Knoxville and Marietta. This provided an easy way to transport copper, and put the mines back in business. The mines were overseen by the Tennessee Copper Company. The Burra Burra Mine used an open roast smelting method. This method released large amounts of sulfur dioxide. This resulted in the killing of vegetation throughout the central basin. After a lawsuit by local farmers, and the State of Georgia, the Tennessee Copper Company began to recapture the sulfur dioxide, and convert it into sulfuric acid. This sulfuric acid was then sold. In addition to producing copper, and sulfuric acid, the mines also produced copper sulfate, as well as iron, and zinc concentrates. By the time the Burra Burra Mine closed, its vertical shaft was over 2,400 feet deep. This made it one of the largest, and deepest vertical shafts in North America. Even though the Burra Burra Mine closed in 1959, mining continued in the "copper basin" until 1987. In 1988, concerned residents wanted to do something to honor their mining history. They petitioned the state of Tennessee to purchase the old mine site. The state did, and the Ducktown Mining Museum was established. As part of a "re-greening" effort approximately 16 million trees have been planted at the Burra Burra Mine, and the area has been seeded with acid tolerant grass. Only ten structures remain from the original mine. The mine itself has since collapsed, and has filled with water. The site has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site is currently under the oversight of the Tennessee Historical Commission. The Burra Burra Mine, and its buildings are yet another great example of historic preservation success. At Moore Historical Consulting, historic preservation is, and will remain my #1 priority. For every saved site, there are thousands more that have yet to be saved. Do you know of one? If you answered yes, contact Moore Historical Consulting today.

The Burra Burra Mine today.

A few of the remaining Burra Burra Mine buildings.

The Tennessee Historical Commission puts these signs at all their State Historic Sites.

Be sure to come back next week for another Throwback Thursday presented by Moore Historical Consulting. Christmas is right around the corner. Why not give the gift of heritage management this year? Moore Historical Consulting offers a variety of genealogy, and business, and property history services. Contact me today to learn more. Moore Historical Consulting makes exploring your past fun and easy!!