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

Bit House

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

1. Bit House Marker

Inscription. This building, constructed c. 1904 as a shed, was originally used to shelter the first ruck owned by the mine department. Later, as the fleet of vehicles grew, the company built garages at the top of the hill near the mine office. A floor was then added to the shed, and it was converted for use in storing extra drill bits for the rock drills.

[Caption]:
The bit house (center), c. 1940.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23.)

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 1904.

Location. 35° 2.146′ N, 84° 22.766′ W. Marker is in Ducktown, Tennessee, in Polk County. It is on Burra Burra Street, on the left when traveling east. 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, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

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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: Powder House (a few steps from this marker); The Office / Geology Lab (within shouting distance of this marker); Fire Hose Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hoist House (within shouting distance of this marker); Cylindrical Ore Bins (within shouting distance of this marker); Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fire Hose Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Burra Burra Mine Site (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 8, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. The Ducktown Basin Museum.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

2. Bit House Marker

(Submitted on December 8, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

The Bit House (left), Shop (background left), and Hoist House (right). image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

3. The Bit House (left), Shop (background left), and Hoist House (right).

The Bit House (right), Powder House (left), and Mine Official's Homes (background). image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

4. The Bit House (right), Powder House (left), and Mine Official's Homes (background).

Burra Burra Mine Site - The Bit House Visible in Center. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 22, 2024

5. Burra Burra Mine Site - The Bit House Visible in Center.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 126 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 8, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.