Ducktown in Polk County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Matte

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

1. Matte Marker

Inscription. This piece of matte was recovered from the site of the 19th-century Burra Burra roast yards which extended for 14 acres. During the early days of mining, the raw copper ore was roasted in open sheds; each roast heap required 65 cords of wood, and the process took 60 to 90 days. The resulting matte was broken up and placed in the furnaces for smelting. Open roasting was discontinued after the advent of pyritic smelting in 1903.

[Caption]:
Roasting sheds at Tennessee Copper Company’s Polk County Mine, early 1900s.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Burra Burra Mine Site Walking/Driving Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 35° 2.14′ N, 84° 22.693′ W. Marker is in Ducktown, Tennessee, in Polk County. It is on Burra Burra Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located at the Burra Burra Mine State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 212 Burra Burra Street, Ducktown TN 37326,

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United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Slag (here, next to this marker); Smelter (here, next to this marker); Sinking Hoist (a few steps from this marker); Fire Hose Building (a few steps from this marker); Sheave Wheels (a few steps from this marker); Air Compressor (a few steps from this marker); Burra Burra Mine (a few steps from this marker); Mine Office (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ducktown.

Also see . . .
1. Ducktown Basin Museum and Burra Burra Mine. (Submitted on December 3, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. The Ducktown Basin Museum.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

2. Matte Marker

(Submitted on December 3, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

3. Matte Marker

Marker is second from left.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

4. Matte Marker

Mine Superintendent Home in Background.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 3, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.