Mineral

Gold

by Michelle Czaikowski, 2011
Government & Heritage Library

Related entries: North Carolina Gold Rush, Gold in the Uwharries

On June 23, 2011, gold (Aurum) became North Carolina's official state mineral. (Session Law 2011-233)

At least two other states have designated gold as their state mineral - Alaska and California.

The discovery of gold by a twelve year old boy in 1799 in Cabarrus County started North Carolina's gold rush. The boy's name was Conrad Reed, and the location developed into the Reed Gold Mine.

The bill was initially introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Brown of Onslow County on behalf of a fourth grade class at Clyde Erwin Magnet Elementary School.

References and additional resources:

Ballew, Sigrid and Jeff Reid. 2000. "Gold in North Carolina."  North Carolina Geological Survey Web site. Online at http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/Gold%20brochure/Gold%20Brochure%2012222000.htm. Accessed 12/2010.

Learn NC resources about gold.

Leslie, Laura. 2011. "Senate okays gold as state mineral." 5/23/2011. Online at: http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/blogpost/9635000/. Accessed July 2011.

Reed Gold Mine, NC Historic Sites, NC Department of Cultural Resources. Online at http://www.nchistoricsites.org/reed/reed.htm. Accessed 12/2010.

Resources on gold in North Carolina in libraries [via WorldCat]