{"id":41,"date":"2014-02-24T19:55:58","date_gmt":"2014-02-25T00:55:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/?p=41"},"modified":"2017-04-14T13:11:44","modified_gmt":"2017-04-14T17:11:44","slug":"rockhounding-an-abandoned-mine-on-a-golf-course","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/rockhounding-an-abandoned-mine-on-a-golf-course\/","title":{"rendered":"Rockhounding an abandoned mine on a golf course"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iyXZmYYcEcE\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\nFor the most up to date events, check out our <a href=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/events.php\" title=\"Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Shows\" target=\"_blank\">Gem, Mineral, and Fossil<\/a> Newswire.<\/p>\n<hr style=\"border-top: dotted 1px;\" \/>\n<p>Now this rockhounding excursion is actually the site of the Southwest Chester and Brookdale mines, but sometime in the 20<sup>th<\/sup> century they were occupied by the present day golf course.\u00a0 We had read that if you bring an offering, some unique mineral or gem to the owners, you are granted access to rockhound the remains of the mines.\u00a0 Joe and I spent two weeks emailing back and forth about what gem would best represent @AmericanGeode, and what would impress the owners.\u00a0 We chose a very large rough garnet from rockhounding excursion in Roxbury and a kyanite specimen that Joe had recovered from another PA site.\u00a0 We went on a weekday, and also during the late winter\/early spring as we expected fewer golfers would mean few inconvenience, and more access.<br \/>\n<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Well we arrive at the golf course club house, and speak to a lady who is running the pro shop, and we present our offerings to her, as if we were presenting to King Midas.\u00a0 She says, \u201cPut them over there,\u201d and points to a corner of the clubhouse with office size cardboard boxes stacked atop one another and filled with newspaper wrapped offerings from former explorers.\u00a0 There have been a lot of people at this site we surmise.<\/p>\n<p>So she points us in the direction of the smokestack that still stands outside the tee of one of the holes.\u00a0 It is impressive ruin, as the photos show.\u00a0 Very neat to see something historically standing there as it had since the day its fire was extinguished.\u00a0 We wondered how many golfers had walked past there and said \u201cWhat the hell is that?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This area has been picked over a lot, and I mean a lot of rockhounding.\u00a0 There are still \u201cswag\u201d piles with debris to crack open, but there is no \u201cvirgin stone\u201d to tap, or any free-standing rock to crack. It\u2019s an exercise in going through the left-overs.<\/p>\n<p>That is one of the mines, the one with the smokestack.\u00a0 We never found the other mine, and we have visited this site twice too. Each time the lady in the clubhouse did not have exact details, so if you go, and speak to one of the owners, I think there are 7 brothers who own the property, they may have more information than the person running the pro shop. I mean after all this is a fully operation and beautiful golf course. Someone who wants to rockhound is not their main business.<\/p>\n<p>We did go out hunting for the other mine however, and ended up way out where the 8<sup>th<\/sup> hole crosses the 13<sup>th<\/sup> hole.\u00a0 There was a natural creek running through so thought we\u2019d look around there to see if anything, but no avail.\u00a0 We just realized that day we were so out in the middle of nowhere that someone could have fired a rifle and no one would have heard.<\/p>\n<p>We actually thought for a minute, if we had not checked in with the pro shop, would anyone know if we went missing? When you go rockhounding, do you give instructions to a friend, family member, or co-worker where you are going? In case you go missing?<\/p>\n<p>In the end from the smokestack\u2019s swag pile, we found some nice quartz specimens, and if you go on a weekday you can hunt without being disturbed.\u00a0 Would not recommend bringing kids because you are still close enough to the tee that you need to keep your voice down lest you disturb any golfers.<\/p>\n<p>We have specimens listed however, so for the \u201cregional\u201d collector, and individual who wants a specimen from each mine in the United States, and this was a big one in its hey-day, then check out what we have available for you, or visit yourselves, and don\u2019t forget to bring a specimen. (something you would have likely traded anyway)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/rockhounding.php\">Rockhounding Photo Gallery<\/a>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00170-20110729-1634.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnleft size-medium wp-image-42\" alt=\"IMG00170-20110729-1634\" src=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00170-20110729-1634-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00170-20110729-1634-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00170-20110729-1634-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00170-20110729-1634-1332x999.jpg 1332w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00170-20110729-1634.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00172-20110729-1637.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnleft size-medium wp-image-43\" alt=\"IMG00172-20110729-1637\" src=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00172-20110729-1637-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00172-20110729-1637-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00172-20110729-1637-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00172-20110729-1637-1332x999.jpg 1332w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00172-20110729-1637.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00174-20110729-1638.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnleft size-medium wp-image-44\" alt=\"IMG00174-20110729-1638\" src=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00174-20110729-1638-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00174-20110729-1638-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00174-20110729-1638-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00174-20110729-1638-1332x999.jpg 1332w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00174-20110729-1638.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00175-20110729-1653.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnleft size-medium wp-image-45\" alt=\"IMG00175-20110729-1653\" src=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00175-20110729-1653-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00175-20110729-1653-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00175-20110729-1653-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00175-20110729-1653-1332x999.jpg 1332w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00175-20110729-1653.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00176-20110729-1722.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnleft size-medium wp-image-46\" alt=\"IMG00176-20110729-1722\" src=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00176-20110729-1722-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00176-20110729-1722-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00176-20110729-1722-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00176-20110729-1722-1332x999.jpg 1332w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00176-20110729-1722.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00177-20110729-1722.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnleft size-medium wp-image-47\" alt=\"IMG00177-20110729-1722\" src=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00177-20110729-1722-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00177-20110729-1722-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00177-20110729-1722-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00177-20110729-1722-1332x999.jpg 1332w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00177-20110729-1722.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00178-20110729-1722.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnleft size-medium wp-image-48\" alt=\"IMG00178-20110729-1722\" src=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00178-20110729-1722-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00178-20110729-1722-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00178-20110729-1722-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00178-20110729-1722-1332x999.jpg 1332w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG00178-20110729-1722.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG-20111229-00002.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnleft size-medium wp-image-49\" alt=\"IMG-20111229-00002\" src=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG-20111229-00002-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG-20111229-00002-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG-20111229-00002.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG-20111229-00003.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnleft size-medium wp-image-50\" alt=\"IMG-20111229-00003\" src=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG-20111229-00003-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG-20111229-00003-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG-20111229-00003.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG-20111229-00004.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnleft size-medium wp-image-51\" alt=\"IMG-20111229-00004\" src=\"http:\/\/americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG-20111229-00004-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG-20111229-00004-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/IMG-20111229-00004.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For the most up to date events, check out our Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Newswire. Now this rockhounding excursion is actually the site of the Southwest Chester and Brookdale mines, but sometime in the 20th century they were occupied by the present day golf course.\u00a0 We had read that if you bring an offering, some &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/rockhounding-an-abandoned-mine-on-a-golf-course\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Rockhounding an abandoned mine on a golf course&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[65,66,69,70,68,67,8,3,106,92,131,72,39,73,9,7,6,4],"class_list":["post-41","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-afms","tag-american-federation-of-mineralogical-societies","tag-gem-mineral","tag-gem-mineral-shows","tag-gem-and-mineral-clubs","tag-gem-and-mineral-shows","tag-gems","tag-geode","tag-geode-cakes","tag-geodefest","tag-geodes","tag-get-out-and-rockhound","tag-herkimer-diamond","tag-herkimer-diamonds","tag-minerals","tag-pyrite","tag-quartz","tag-rockhound"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1380,"href":"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41\/revisions\/1380"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.americangeode.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}