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Polk County
Burra Burra Mine 
Ken Rush
P.O. Box 458
Ducktown, TN 37326
423-496-5778
In August 1843, a gold prospector working on Potato Creek discovered a reddish-brown and black decomposed rock that contained deep red crystals; his "gold" turned out to be red copper oxide. At the time, this copper deposit was one of the world's largest finds.The
Copper
Basin, a 75-square-mile geologic formation, was once home to the Southeast's largest metal mining operation, employing more than 2,500 people at its peak. The land was mined from the 1850s until 1987. The Burra Burra Mine, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is an example of the devastating environmental damage stemmed from such large-scale industrial development. By 1907, more than 50 square miles of countryside had been destroyed by the release of sulfur dioxide during ore roasting, the cutting of forests for fuel, and the subsequent erosion of exposed topsoil (Duggan, 1998).
Hours: Monday-Saturday
Apr-Oct: 10am-4:30pm
Nov-Mar: 9:30am-4pm
Admission: .50 children; $3.00 adults
Directions: Located on Burra Burra Street, one quarter mile north of the intersection of US Highways 74/64 and TN 68,
Ducktown,
TN.
Ducktown Basin Museum
Ducktown
423-496-5778
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum offers seasonal tours of the Burra Burra Mine Shops and Change House to complement permanent exhibits that depict the mining heritage of the Copper Basin. Gift Shop. Admission.
Nancy Ward Grave
Benton
Located on Highway 411, south of Benton, is the gravesite of Nancy War, Beloved Woman of the Overhill Cherokees, and her son Five Killer. The graves overlook the pastoral landscape along the Ocoee River.
Historic District of Reliance
This Historic District of Reliance presents a glimpse of the Hiwassee River Valley and its history. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Reliance features the Vaughn-Webb farm, Webb Brothers Store, Hiwassee Union Church, L&N Watchan's House and the Higdon Hotel structures that serve as snapshots of farming, business, industry and community life in this mountain settlement. A certified Century Farm founded in 1880, the Vaughn-Webb Farm is a good example of a family owned farm that has adapted to a changing economy while retaining its historic character. Follow highway 30 alongside the Hiwassee River to Webb Brother's Store.
 Fort Marr
Benton
Visit he oldest original blockhouse in the United States dating back to the early 1800s.
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