Rosiclare in Hardin County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Fluorite Mining

Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 11, 2020

1. Fluorite Mining Marker

Inscription. Fluorite, the official Illinois state mineral, was discovered in 1839 by James Anderson while digging a well near Fairview Landing one half mile SW of this site. Fluorite was a waste product until the steel industry began using the mineral in their open hearth process in 1888. Rosiclare Lead and Fluorspar Mining Co., located 255 yards NW of this site, was the first major producer of fluorite. The largest and deepest fluorite mines in the world are located in Hardin County. For many years these mines have produced about three-fourths of the fluorite mined in the United States.

Erected 1994 by Hardin County Historical and Genealogical Society & Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.

Location. 37° 25.403′ N, 88° 20.836′ W. Marker is in Rosiclare, Illinois, in Hardin County. Marker is on Main Street (Illinois Route 34) west of Walnut Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Co Rd 1, Rosiclare IL 62982, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rosiclare: The Fluorite Center of Hardin County, the United States and the World

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); The Ohio River Scenic Byway (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mine It, Mill It, Ship It (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Elizabethtown First Baptist Church (approx. 2.8 miles away); Fueling The Furnace (approx. 5.4 miles away); A Community Comes Alive (approx. 5.4 miles away); Illinois Iron Furnace (approx. 5.4 miles away); Mantle Rock (1/2 Mile) (approx. 6 miles away in Kentucky). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rosiclare.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 11, 2020

2. Fluorite Mining Marker

near the entrance of American Fluorite Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 342 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 13, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.