Entering the cool, dark tunnel of Ruggles Mine on Islinglass Mountain in Grafton doesn’t even give a hint of what’s to come. Glimmer catches my eye even in the near dark. I take my time getting down the steep incline carefully maneuvering camera, pail (pitifully small compared to the size buckets some people brought), and walking stick. The tunnel winds downward, turns, and I get a first glimpse of how deep this mine is.
A few more steps and I emerge from the tunnel into the bright light. I look up from watching my footing. The size of the open pit is stunning! This isn’t a little hole in the ground. Flashes of light are everywhere as the sun reflects on the many shiny mica, quartz and feldspar surfaces. Openings in the walls at various levels are caves, caverns, and more tunnels of past excavations. Some are narrow and round while others are tall and wide. Many are inaccessible while there are those that allow an explorer to delve into the dark depths.
I continue on the descent. Do I look at the walls or the ground at my feet? It doesn’t matter as there is sparkle everywhere and the ground at my feet is just as intriguing as the walls which go up and up and up.
The incline becomes steeper and I choose to use the stairs to the side still being cautious of footing. The stairs have a short rise which is easier on bad knees and short legs. A tumble wouldn’t only be embarrassing it would hurt – a lot – as my mind pictures my body toppling down the hill. I pause halfway down and look to the wall above one of the caverns where ravens nest. Did they nest here this year with no one to look out for them? The huge stick-build structure is empty. I find one small, black feather – perhaps they did.
Already I notice other differences. Though I’d only been here a couple times in the past, there are signs that things are not the same. The neglect shows. The winters take their toll here and the trail is rougher and not as clean. (Debris was always cleaned up in the past and the trail smoothed out as best as possible.) Falling rocks have not been cleared away. It would be easy to step wrong and twist an ankle. I pause for another breather and to take in the sight. It’s still a long way down.
I debate about writing an impersonal, just the facts, piece or being more personal, but with over 200 years of history, I don’t need to repeat what has been said. Oh, it definitely is fascinating and I could go on and on.
The mine, bought by the current family and opened in 1963 as a tourist attraction, closed in the fall of 2015, and is now up for sale. Perhaps it is my own sadness at changes. I did an interview with a couple of the owners in the spring of 2014 for the InterTown Record newspaper. They both had wonderful and different stories; she with growing up at the mine and he with a more geological take on the mine. She and I had wonderful conversations as she talked about what it was like as a child growing up in a mine. He gave a personal tour with not only a history lesson, but a fascinating geology lesson as well – priceless. They worked so hard to make this an enjoyable experience for the public. I could have happily spent days with them!
Another difference today is the free-for-all feel. Yes, it is free as this open house, held by the realtors, is a last opportunity for people to explore the mine under the present ownership. (It is hoped a buyer will step forward and there is some interest; whether it would remain open to the public – who knows.) This day there is no one watching and visitors take the advantage to explore areas not previously open to the public. Plus, they can haul out whatever rocks they can carry.
The chink of hammer on rock and children’s excited voices echo off steep walls and through tunnels and caverns. The sun beats down in the open pit and some people are flocking to the dark caves to get cool and explore. (The smart ones brought flashlights.) I don’t take any detours this day. I have all I can do to make it down through the south tunnel and then get back up.
Again, I look up and up at the walls and see the tops of trees over the top. That the excavating (by hand) actually began in the 1800s way up there is intriguing. Mica and feldspar were the two main minerals mined here, but there have been over 150 others found.
Sweat runs down my back and the pail grows heavy. What I wouldn’t give to haul out some bigger pieces to put in my gardens as mementos. I’ve always loved rocks. They don’t have to be expensive, just pretty to me. I don’t even have to stray off the main path as what is at my feet is fascinating.
Another rest over, I trudge onward and farther down entering the south tunnel. This area is a frozen glacier in the winter and flooded in the spring. Even now there are wet, muddy places where the water trickles down from the first cavern and other places. Some people pan in the stream finding pieces of beryl, quartz, pyrite, or garnet. People are exploring the caves off the tunnel.
I finally emerge into sunlight again, pick up a few rocks, and pass under another rock cropping onto the flat area at the end. Time to turn around and head back up.
The climb up and out is much slower. I stop often and chat and joke with others. I tease one young girl in a walking cast that she should have a walking stick like mine. Everyone is friendly and eager to tell of their finds. Some have been here many times and others are first-timers taking the opportunity of the free day.
I get back to the entrance red-faced, extremely hot and thirsty. The line of people waiting to go into the mine extends well into the parking lot. I chat with a friend, grab a free cheeseburger, and head back down the mountain. I am shocked at the number of people still arriving. An hour and a half into the open house, the parked vehicles and people on the road extend over a mile, halfway down the mountain and from there a line of cars is still coming in. Many were turned away.
I hope a buyer is found and they continue the legacy of allowing the public the opportunity to do their own prospecting.
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