Welcome to the NC Gold Foundation
The North Carolina Gold Foundation was formed to promote, educate, preserve and celebrate the state's gold heritage.
We're proud of our heritage and our place in history!
Did you know? Gold was found first in North Carolina?
Did you know? You can visit the sites where miners formed the first ever "gold rush"?
Did you know? There is still gold in those hills, and you can still pan for it!
Take a look through this site to find out much more about the living history of North Carolina Gold.
The North Carolina Gold Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
NC Gold Foundation's 20th Anniversary!
The Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. From this discovery, gold mining spread gradually to nearby counties and eventually into other southern states. During its peak years gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. The estimated value of gold recovered reached over one million dollars a year. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California
As the NC Gold Foundation marks its 20th anniversary, we take a moment to reflect on North Carolina's glittering past and the pioneering role it played in the American gold rush narrative. The Reed Gold Mine, where 12-year-old Conrad Reed unearthed a 17-pound gold nugget in 1799, set off the nation's first gold frenzy. This momentous find in Cabarrus County not only transformed local livelihoods but also led North Carolina to become the leading gold producer in the USA until the famed 1848 California gold rush.
From the 300 mines that sprang up employing thousands—from local North Carolinians to immigrants from distant shores—to the innovative transition to hydraulic mining methods in the 1950s, our state's gold history is as rich as the veins that run through the Vein Mountain. Today, sites like the Historic Carson House and the Bechtler House stand as monuments to our golden heritage, telling the stories of those who mined, toiled, and prospered in these hills.
In this milestone year, the NC Gold Foundation remains dedicated to preserving and educating about our state's illustrious gold mining history. As we celebrate two decades of stewardship and scholarship, we invite you to join us in ensuring this legacy continues to shine brightly for future generations. Your support through donations helps us maintain historical sites, fund educational programs, and keep the stories of North Carolina's gold era alive and gleaming.
Contributing to the NC Gold Foundation is more than a donation—it's an investment in preserving a pivotal part of our history. As we look forward to expanding our efforts and reaching more people with the fascinating tales of North Carolina’s gold rush, we rely on the generosity of individuals like you. Help us protect and promote our rich heritage by visiting the link below, and making your mark on history. Together, let's keep the legacy of North Carolina's gold rush vibrant and valuable.
Thank you for your support and for being a part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of exploration and education!
Doug McCormick Jr.
President
Visit Gold Sites in North Carolina
Lucky Strike Gold Mine
The Lucky Strike is a gold and gem mine with a campground that is committed to making sure our visitors have a memorable outing. You can take a step back in time to the days of yesteryear by taking a pan or sluice box into the stream.Experience the thrill of that golden gleam in your pan that only finding your first flake of gold can give. It immediately inflicts you with what the old timers called gold fever. Beware; when you see that first glint of gold in your pan you will be hooked! Gold fever has no cure but to hunt for more gold.
We also have Gold Panning at the flume line with local ore from the Second Broad River. When you get tired or hungry you can visit the Miners Diner , located next to the covered panning area and have a delicious Bonanza burger or Klondike dog with a frosty glass of Sluice Juice.
VIEW MAP...
Bechtler Mint Site Historic Park
In 1832, Christopher Bechtler of Rutherfordton minted the country's first one dollar gold coin (17 years before the U.S. mint). During the mid-1800s, the Bechtlers minted more than $2.24 million in gold coins. Explore the original location of the Bechtler mint and mine shaft.The site is a small park with a short loop walking trail with information boards that tell the story of local gold mining.
VIEW MAP...
Reed Gold Mine
Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. From this discovery, gold mining spread gradually to nearby counties and eventually into other southern states.Today, portions of the underground tunnels at the Reed mine have been restored for guided tours. A visitor center contains exhibits of gold and historical mining equipment. An orientation film highlights the first gold discovery, and tours of a restored ore-crushing stamp mill are offered. A picnic area is available, and you can try your hand at gold panning. Trails wind through the historic mining area, too.
VIEW MAP...
We'd love to hear from you!
President
Doug McCormick Jr.
Vice President and Foundation Founder
Elizabeth McCormick
Festival Vendor Coordinator and Event Manager
Brooke Cochran
828-803-2247
Secretary
Rena Harp
Board Member
Ray Ledford
The Lucky Strike (Venue)
828-738-4893
You can contact us by 'snail mail' at the following address:
NC Gold Foundation, Inc. 251 Lucky Strike Drive, Marion, NC. 28752
Or use the form below to contact us via email. We will do our very best to get back to you within one business day.