Welcome to Cordova Mines!
This Geocache is hidden at the posted coordinates with permission from the Cordova Mines Library/Community Centre. If you find the Geocache in its hiding spot, please sign into the log book and rehide the container as found. If you take any geoswag, please put something back so there's always something fun to find inside! And if you would like to continue the fun by exploring the surrounding park, you'll find many wonderful tributes to people, places, and history - including pieces from local mines.
As the story goes, Cordova Mines began in the 1860s when Marcus Powell - a local prospector - discovered a cave where gold appeared to be gleaming from the walls! A gold boom followed, with individuals trying their luck and industry moving in to dig even deeper for gold-bearing ore. In over 50 years of mining ventures, over 20,000 ounces of gold were produced from the Cordova Gold Mine.
The area had many other mines including an iron mine and the Old Ledyard Gold Mine to the south. Today, granite and nepheline syenite is mined in Havelock-Belmont-Methuen township. Specimens of these rocks are found in the park behind the library. (And the cache owner - NoPunchline - is creating a new Earthcache to give a little geology lesson on the specimens here... Stay tuned for this to be published!)
You may also tour Cordova Mines via Geocaching Adventure Lab! After downloading the Adventure Lab app for your smart device from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you can load the tour titled 'The Hamlet of Cordova Mines'. You may also get started by clicking this link or scanning the QR code:
Cordova Mines ain't the big city, but it's rich with history!
I hope you enjoy your visit - safe travels and happy Geocaching!