Iron Ore Pit

Mining of iron ore took place at the Oregon ore banks from 1820 to 1887. The depression here was one of three primary pits providing ore to the furnace, and the largest pit, now filled with water to a depth of 48 feet, is known as Oregon Lake and serves as a public swimming facility in summer. Teamsters were key to the mining operation, driving mule teams that pulled ore-laden tip carts from the ore pit to the ore washing mill. Historical records indicate that the Price family, prominent landowners in the area, emancipated a number of former slaves and provided them with mules, wagons, and land, and that black teamsters using their own mules and wagons worked under contract to the Oregon Mining Company. The iron ore sought at Oregon was found in the ground as rusty-colored, rounded chunks of rock known as goethite, and men performed hard, dirty work with picks, shovels, pry bars, and sledge hammers to dig out and break up the nodules.

Maryland · United States