Many people aren’t aware of the important role North Carolina played in gold mining history. Yet, in the 1840s, nearly a decade before the famous gold rush of the West began, North Carolina was producing more gold than anywhere in the eastern U.S. And this tiny little community outside of Charlotte was at the heart of that early gold rush.
By 1843, Gold Hill was a bustling little town with several mines and a main street that sported sixteen merchants, twenty-three saloons, and a hotel, among other things. The town was so thriving, the word is, that even Charlotte was envious.
Historic Gold Hill
The Gold Hill mines have been closed for nearly a century, but remnants of the town and the mines remain.
Google Maps [streetview]
It’s a quaint little historic village with charming shops brimming with antiquity.
Facebook/Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina
A visit here is like stepping back in time to the old mining village of yesteryear.
Facebook/Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina
It’s somewhere spread out these days. Primarily because that main street reportedly stretched on for nearly a mile back in the day. The historic locations that have been restored or preserved are abundant. Below is the old Gold Hill Jail.
Facebook/Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina
The jail and a variety of other historic relics have all been grouped into a 70-acre setting called the Gold Hill Mines Historic Park.
TripAdvisor/cheryl h
Here, you’ll find an old powder magazine along a clearly marked trail in the park.
Facebook/Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina
It also contains what’s left of two old gold mining operations.
TripAdvisor/cheryl h
And some spirits of those that used to operate the mines. That’s right. Ghosts. It may surprise you (or not) that a few of the departed souls have refused to be parted from their gold.
Facebook/Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina
In fact, it’s said that one of the mine owners who had a reputation for being nasty, haunts some of the old historic buildings. One account claims he will occasionally turn lights on and off. Or, even worse, refuse to let them turn on in the first place.
Flickr/Vassilis
On other occasions, this nasty mine boss is blamed for making the bottom stair vanish in one of the historic buildings in town. You’ll go to take your last step and, boom, the step vanishes!
Flickr/stu mayhew
But that’s not the only ghost story associated with Historic Gold Hill. There are plenty, including the one about the miner who, in 1900, made an error in judgment when he decided to ignite a box of dynamite and blow himself up (on purpose).
Flickr/Ruth Hartnup
Some fifty years later, the miner still hadn’t let go of his fortune in the ground. Some kids were walking along near where it happened and they reportedly saw body parts flying through the air in the field in front of them. Body parts that weren’t really there.
Flickr/Seniju
If they old saying, “you can’t take your money with you when you die,” is true, then that may explain why Gold Hill is so haunted. If you believe in ghosts, then Historic Gold Hill is a place you’ll want to explore. And if by chance, you don’t believe in ghosts, then Historic Gold Hill is full of history pertaining to North Carolina. Either way, this quirky little historic town is a day trip waiting to happen. Here’s a Google Maps link to help you navigate to Gold Hill.
Historic Gold Hill
Google Maps [streetview]
Facebook/Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina
TripAdvisor/cheryl h
Flickr/Vassilis
Flickr/stu mayhew
Flickr/Ruth Hartnup
Flickr/Seniju
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