Reed Gold Mine

When a 17-pound rock of gold was found on John Reed’s farm in 1799, the first documented gold find in the US, it was used as a doorstop for three years before its identity was realized. The gold discovery in Cabarrus County forever changed the state, and John Reed’s farm became Reed Gold Mine. America’s first gold rush followed, and North Carolina became the home to both a federal and private mint while leading the nation in gold production until 1848.

Today, visitors can enjoy guided tours of the site, including into the original tunnels dug by the miners all those years ago. Reed Gold Mine includes a visitors center with exhibits on gold and historical mining equipment, as well as trails that cross mining areas. You can even try your hand at gold panning, which is offered April through October for a small fee.