Timeline of Mining In
Wisconsin
1658 - Native Americans begin to mine lead ore within the southwestern region of Wisconsin.
1700's - French explorers and Native Americans mine lead on a small scale in southwest Wisconsin.
1776 - Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.
1812-1814 - War of 1812.
1816 - First lead smelter in Wisconsin in LaFayette County.
1825 - First major lead strike in Wisconsin near New Diggings, Hazel Green and Shullsburg.
1827 - William S. Hamilton, son of Federalist and first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, discovers large lead deposit near Wiota.
1828 - Extensive mining begins around Platteville.
1830-1871 - Upper Mississippi Lead District, which includes the southwestern lead region of Wisconsin, is the most important lead producing area of the United States.
1836-1838 - Mexican War.
1848- Lead mining in Wisconsin begins to decline.
1849 - The Iron Ridge open pit and underground mine begins operation in Dodge County.
1861-1865 - Civil War.
1898 - Spanish-American War.
County Coordinator Dori Leekley
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© 1997-1999 Dori Leekley
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