Dumfries in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine
Photographed By Frank Harder Sr., circa April 2016
1. Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine Marker (refurbished)
Inscription.
Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine. . Located in Prince William Forest Park, the Pyrite Mine trail leads you to a peaceful, open expanse above the banks of the Quantico Creek. From 1889 to 1920 the area was busy with the sights, sounds and smells of mining. The Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine employed residents of the villages of Batestown and Hickory Ridge, and the “fool’s gold” that miners brought to the surface was processed into sulfuric acid and used in making soap, fertilizer and gunpowder. During the years it operated, the Cabin Branch mine supplied more than 200,000 long tons (a long ton is 2,400 pounds) of pyrite for industry in the United States. After its closure in 1920, the Cabin Branch mine lay dormant. In 1995, the National Park Service and the state of Virginia reclaimed the mine.
Located in Prince William Forest Park, the Pyrite Mine trail leads you to a peaceful, open expanse above the banks of the Quantico Creek. From 1889 to 1920 the area was busy with the sights, sounds and smells of mining. The Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine employed residents of the villages of Batestown and Hickory Ridge, and the “fool’s gold” that miners brought to the surface was processed into sulfuric acid and used in making soap, fertilizer and gunpowder. During the years it operated, the Cabin Branch mine supplied more than 200,000 long tons (a long ton is 2,400 pounds) of pyrite for industry in the United States. After its closure in 1920, the Cabin Branch mine lay dormant. In 1995, the National Park Service and the state of Virginia reclaimed the mine.
Erected by Fortuna Center Plaza Merchants.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 38° 35.749′ N, 77° 20.011′ W. Marker is in Dumfries, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker is on Fortuna Center Plaza near Dumfries Road (Virginia Route 234), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4424 Fortuna Center Plaza, Dumfries VA 22025, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,753 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on October 2, 2023, by N. Jozsa of Woodbridge, Virginia. Photos:1. submitted on April 9, 2016, by Frank Harder Sr. of Dumfries, Virginia. 2. submitted on February 12, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on February 13, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
