Near Fredericktown in Madison County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
First Lead Mine in the Mississippi Valley
Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 18, 2025
1. First Lead Mine in the Mississippi Valley Marker
This tablet marks the site of the first lead mine opened in the Mississippi Valley about the year 1700
It is named for Antoine de La Motte Cadillac
Governor of Louisiana 1710-1717
Erected 1933 by State Society Daughters of the American Colonists and the John Forster Chapter.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Colonists series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1700.
Location. 37° 37.201′ N, 90° 17.346′ W. Marker is near Fredericktown, Missouri, in Madison County. It is on Missouri Route OO north of County Route 217, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at Three Notch roadside park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2540 State Hwy OO, Fredericktown MO 63645, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Missouri. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Madison County Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.2 miles away); Madison County Courthouse (approx. 4.2 miles away); St. Michael's Village (approx. 4.2 miles away); Revolutionary War 1775-1783 (approx. 4.2 miles away); War Eagle Trail (approx. 4.2 miles away); Henry F. Frizzell Memorial
this page online
Regarding First Lead Mine in the Mississippi Valley. Marker is technically located in the unincorporated community of Mine La Motte, which is about four miles north of Fredericktown. It is also at the spot where it is believed that one of Missouri's oldest roads, the Three Notch Road, once was. The road was used to transfer lead from Mine La Motte to Sainte Genevieve. Much of the road does not exist in the present day.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 18, 2025
2. First Lead Mine in the Mississippi Valley Marker
Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 18, 2025
3. First Lead Mine in the Mississippi Valley Marker
Marker is located at Three Notch Park, which is believed to be the southern terminus of one of Missouri's oldest roads (dating back to the early 18th century).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 163 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 19, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
