The Cornwall Iron Mines
Updated April 2006 | By Matthew Christopher
The Cornwall Iron Ore Mine was once a massive operation that operated for 234 years without interruption. It was founded in 1739 by Peter Grubb, who discovered that the area contained the largest iron deposit in the US east of Lake Superior. The mine provided ore for the historic Cornwall Iron Furnace, which shut down in 1883 but is still open for tours. A major supplier for the revolutionary war effort, the ironworks were personally inspected by George Washington himself.
Continuing to produce iron ore well after the furnace ceased operations, the mines were flooded by Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Mining operations were abandoned quickly afterwards when pumping the water out of the shafts was deemed no longer cost-effective. While the underwater tunnels and shafts are inaccessible and most of what comprised the enormous operation has vanished, several large buildings remained. The buildings were demolished in 2009 and there are currently plans to turn the quarry and surrounding land to a water park and condo complex.
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