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West River Mountain "silver mine", Chesterfield, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, USAi
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| West River Mountain "silver mine" | - not defined - |
| Chesterfield | - not defined - |
| Cheshire County | County |
| New Hampshire | State |
| USA | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
42° North , 72° West (est.)
Estimate based on other nearby localities or region boundaries.
Margin of Error:
~1km
Köppen climate type:
Mead (1822) tells the story of the "silver mine" on the supposedly volcanic West River Mountain:
"The most noted mountain in Chesterfield is West river mountain lying partly in Chesterfield and partly in Hinsdale. There was once a volcanic eruption from this mountain. There is at present a considerable quantity of lava near its crater...The early inhabitants of the vicinity discovered uncommon appearances about the mouth of this volcano, and seeing an aperture in the mountain, supposed it led to a silver mine which had blown out, as they expressed it. Several associated with a view to make their fortunes by digging in the mine. Their first step was to consult a famous fortune-teller, who confirmed them in their suspicions. He assured them of finding silver in great abundance. But they did not own the land. They therefore dispatched one of their company to the then proprietors, of whom they obtained a lease of that part of the mountain which contained the supposed mine. One condition of the lease was, that they should dig, during the term for which they held the lease, at least three days in each year, or the lease should become void. At this time, they have dug, principally through a rock, between 90 and 100 feet—following the course of the crater downward. Although they have never found any thing of value, except a few hogsheads of red and yellow ochre, they are unwilling to give up, and to this time regularly dig at least three days in each year in the mountain, that they may not forfeit their lease. 'Tis said by those who live near the mountain,that it frequently rumbles and a rumbling noise is heard in its bowels."
An investigation by Dr. Jonathan Allen (Middlebury College) found no trace of lava, and the reports of loud thunderlike noises heard emanating from the mountain (first heard in 1730) were believed by him to have been caused by rockslides.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsDetailed Mineral List:
| ⓘ Hematite Formula: Fe2O3 References: |
| ⓘ Formula: Ag |
| ⓘ Quartz Formula: SiO2 References: |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 1 - Elements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ⓘ | Native Silver ? | 1.AA.05 | Ag |
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
| ⓘ | Hematite | 4.CB.05 | Fe2O3 |
| ⓘ | Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| O | Oxygen | |
|---|---|---|
| O | ⓘ Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| O | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| Si | Silicon | |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| Fe | Iron | |
| Fe | ⓘ Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| Ag | Silver | |
| Ag | ⓘ Native Silver | Ag |
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
North AmericaContinent
North America PlateTectonic Plate
- Ganderia DomainDomain
- GranderiaPassive Margin
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