Charcoal for a smelter operating across the valley at Nicholia from 1885 to 1889 was produced in 16 kilns 6 miles west of here. Discovered in 1881, the Viola mine became an important source of lead and silver from 1886 to 1888, and ore from Gilmore was also hauled to the Viola smelter. British capital kept the Viola mine operating until 1889, when the hoisting works burned. Low prices for lead and silver kept the smelter shut down after 1889, and charcoal production here ended.