click zoom to display a high-res image
Summary
St. John Mine
Highway 133, Potosi, Grant County
Native Americans worked the natural cave that became St. John's Mine before Wisconsin's Lead Rush. The mine received its name from Willis St. John, who was one of the first permanent settlers in the area and helped develop the mile deep mine.
St. John began mining in the 1820s. His success in mining attracted others to the area in search of similar fortune and contributed to the growth of the local community. However, St. John's fortune crumbled with the failure of the bank that housed his capital and he was forced to sell the mine in 1848.
By the year 1870, the mine was stripped of virtually all resources and was closed. In 1969 the land was purchased and turned into a museum. The site is currently closed.
Property Details
| Criteria | Event |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Commerce,Exploration/Settlement,Industry |
| Period of Significance | 1700-1749,1825-1849 |
| Architectural Style | |
| Architect | |
| Resource Type | Site |
| Historic Use | Conservation Area,Extractive Facility |
Resources Within The Property
| Contributing Buildings | 0 |
|---|---|
| Contributing Sites | 1 |
| Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Contributing Objects | 1 |
| Non-Contributing Buildings | 2 |
| Non-Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Objects | 0 |
Designations
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
|---|---|
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jun 4, 1979 |
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or have other questions about the registers, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
.5 mi. SW of jct. of STH 133 and CTH U
96001532
Located in Potosi, Grant County
312 South Third Street
12000521
Located in Evansville, Rock County
Adam Schumacher
circa 1900
Head and shoulders portrait of Adam Schumacher (1859-1942). His family operated the Potosi Brewery until it closed in 1972.
