Mineral Point - Visitors Guide 2008 - (Page 5) pendarvis and merry christmas mine home to Arthur, and colorful herCornwall,has a richthe legend of King itage including stories of pirates, mermaids and dwarf-like mine dwellers called tommyknockers. Mining had been a way of life in Cornwall for over 1000 years when the copper and tin mines failed in the 1800s. Large numbers of miners left their native land following the promise of rich veins of mineral to be found in the new world. Many of these “Cousin Jacks and Cousin Jennies” as they came to be known, settled in Mineral Point. Their legacy lives on today at Pendarvis State Historic Site. They came with their families, and with the abundance of locally quarried limestone, they built simple homes in the style of their homeland. Gradually over the years, these old houses fell into disrepair. Up and down the Shake Rag neighborhood, the vacant stone dwellings were being demolished. Their stone walls were being used in projects such as retaining walls, house foundations and the city’s new swimming pool. In the early 1930s, Bob Neal returned to his hometown and was dismayed to see so many of the stone houses being destroyed. His dream since childhood had been to own one of these humble cottages. When Edgar Hellum arrived in town, he discovered that they shared an interest in preservation. From there, the two developed a fierce determination to save at least one of the stone houses. Townspeople shook their heads in disbelief, but together the two men persevered and completed their first restoration. It was an old Cornish tradition to name homes. Bob and Edgar named their first house Pendarvis, after an estate in Cornwall. Over the years, Neal and Hellum restored several neighboring Cornish cottages, furnished them with antiques and lead mining tools, and gave them curious Cornish names too – Polperro and Trelawny. The two gentlemen never intended to start a restaurant, but what started with simply serving a modest tea, soon became a world-renowned restaurant serving Cornish food. The restaurant closed in 1970 when Neal and Hellum retired. Today, Pendarvis is owned and operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Costumed interpreters offer guided tours through the Pendarvis complex. Daily tours are given from mid May through October. The Museum Store features old-fashioned toys and candy, English tea ware, and a large selection of Cornish music, books and jewelry. The Merry Christmas Mine, discovered on December 21, 1905, was one of the few large zinc mines in the United States. The mine hill has been restored as a prairie, recapturing the native landscape that greeted the early settlers. It thrives once again with indigenous grasses and flowering plants, comprising one of the largest native prairies in southwestern Wisconsin. Walking trails with educational stops along the way are open year around where you can discover mining artifacts, badger holes and spectacular views. one of 100 best small town getaways. Midwest Living Magazine • June 2007 welcome to mineral point 5
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