These 10 Rare Photos Show Vermont’s Gold Mining History Like Never Before

We've all heard the phrase "It's a goldmine!" used to describe finding an abundance of a certain thing, but did you know that Vermont has actual gold mines? That's right, gold is actually widely distributed throughout Vermont, but not in quantities that would make it profitable or abundant enough for large scale mining, so these mines have long since been abandoned. Back in the 1800s and early 1900s, it was unknown how much gold could be found here, so early settlers tried their hands gold mining in VT.

We have some rarely seen photos of gold mines in Vermont, as well as a video of modern day explorers trying their hand at old school panning for gold.

1. Foxes' Gold Mine.

2. Gold mine near Plymouth, Vermont.

3. Looking down on gold mine buildings.

4. Gold mining buildings.

5. Inside of a Vermont gold mine.

6. Hut on the way to gold mines.

7. More landscape along the way to the mines.

8. Beyond the gold mines.

9. An early gold seeker uses patience to look for nuggets.

The gold rush boom in the Green Mountain State may be long gone, but do you have the adventurous spirit to try your luck and pan for gold the old fashioned way?

10. Check out this great video of modern day explorers looking for gold in the hills of Vermont.

These adventurers went looking and sure enough, they strike GOLD! Watch as they brave the cold and the dark caves in search of more. Will they find it? See for yourself!

Most of the gold found today in Vermont is in the form of very small flakes and little pickers, so don’t expect to find large nuggets. But have fun trying!

For more pictures of the way we were, check out what every small town in Vermont had in the 1930s. It was a simpler time.