2008 Official Visitors Guide to Cabarrus, North Carolina

25 of the ﬁrst documented discovery of gold in the United States. In 1799, 12-year-old Conrad Reed discovered a 17-pound gold nugget while ﬁshing in Little Meadow Creek on his family’s farm. The nugget served as a doorstop for three years until, in 1802, John Reed sold the nugget to a jeweler in Fayetteville for $3.50, not knowing its value. When he returned he partnered with three friends and began surface mining and panning. Reed’s discovery of gold began the nation’s ﬁrst gold rush, as nearby farmers began searching their creek beds for gold (nearly 50 years before the famous 49ers Gold Rush in California). Thousands ﬂocked to the North Carolina piedmont, and mining soon became the second largest occupation in the state (after farming). Because of North Carolina’s gold mining success, in 1837, a new branch of the US Mint was established in Charlotte. Today Charlotte is still the nation’s second largest banking center. Charlotte’s original mint building now houses the Mint Museum of Art. Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site. Today, Reed Gold Mine is the only underground gold mine in North Carolina open to the public. Visitors take guided underground tours through 400 feet of restored tunnel, pan for gold (April-October), view exhibits of gold and historic mining equipment, tour the 1895 Stamp Mill, and watch a ﬁ lm about NC’s gold mining heritage. Walking trails are also available onsite. Admission is free, panning is $2 per pan. 9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland. 704-721-GOLD (4653). www.reedmine.com CABARRUS COUNTY BOASTS the site Historic Gold Hill. Those wanting to learn more about North Carolina gold mining history can experience a mining town as it might have been during the North Carolina Gold Rush a half hour’s drive north of Reed Gold Mine. Extensive mining here in the mid1800s created a boomtown that is being preserved and restored. 704-267-9439. www.historicgoldhill.com C a b a r r u s C o u n t y, N o r t h C a ro l i n a The co oles tp places to PLAY North Carolina Gold Rush e lac ar rth C o in N http://www.reedmine.com http://www.historicgoldhill.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of 2008 Official Visitors Guide to Cabarrus, North Carolina

Getting Here Bed & Breakfast Inns Campgrounds & RV Parks Hotels Dining Concord Mills Historic Downtown Concord Kannapolis 600 Racing Backing Up Classics Museum Sam Bass Gallery Concord Motorsport Park Curb Museum of Motorsports & Music Hendrick Motorsports Museum Lowe’s Motor Speedway NASCAR SpeedPark Racing & Driving Experiences Roush Racing Museum Cabarrus Arena & Events Center Golf Courses Parks Professional Sports Reed Gold Mine More Historic Sites Quick Trips

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