Bowers Mtn Mining

After finding the 150+ foot long adit cut into the mountain before Christmas (2023), I had a feeling that there might be another long tunnel up there. Sheldon and I returned the day after New Year's Day for another look (Part 1 below). Although we found another area containing more shafts, pits, and trenches, as well as a short adit, we didn't find anything substantial (i.e. underground mine works that we could climb into). A week or so later, after some additional research, we decided to make one more exploration up there (Part 2 below). After climbing up and wandering all over the place, we were about ready to give up. But we found another opening at the end of a cut, which turned out to be a nice adit just over 100 feet long. 1 - January 2, 2024

A mining cut at the crest of the mountain led down to a large collapsed shaft.

Nearby, at another cut, we spied an opening that appeared to go into the ground at about a 45 degree angle.

Unfortunately, it only went down about 6 feet before hitting loose dirt.
We searched this area pretty well, and found a number of additional trenches, pits and mine cuts, but nothing that was particularly photogenic in the contrasty bright sun and shadows of the woods. After descending the mountain, we decided to go look at the remains of an old dam on Coosa Creek. Two mining engineer brothers, Frank and Zed Summerour, played an important role in Union County gold mining operations beginning in the early 1900's. Frank Summerour was proficient as a machinist and builder; he operated a grist mill and sawmill on Coosa Creek. The sawmill provided lumber needed for shoring up the mines, and building the mining camps. He set up a generator system that supplied electricity from water power for his family's residence, and established a stamp mill to separate the gold from the ore. Summerour's expertise as a machinist helped him to fashion the first steam engine in the county; the steam shovel operated by this engine was used in the mining operations.

Location of the old dam. A concrete base can be seen crossing the creek, with the remains of the stone dam visible through the rhodendron on the far side.

Remains of the stone dam on the near side of the creek. I believe this dam provided waterpower for the generator referenced above.

Sheldon for scale on the near side of the dam site

The remains of an old log beam with several embedded rusty spikes.

Rectangular concrete structure adjacent to the dam. A meticulous record-keeper and diarist, Frank Summerour kept copious notes of his work in gold mining, carpentry and engineering. This wealth of information was lost to posterity when rats found the papers stored in a shed, chewed them, and made nests of the scraps. Thus was lost some important primary source history of this fabulous era of Union County's gold mining.
2 - January 12, 2024 Ten days later, we returned for one last attempt to find more substantial underground works.

Large pit on the edge of the cluster of mine workings where we had found the first 150+ foot long adit.

I re-examined this undercut pit that we had seen on our first visit here.

But the undercut only went back 5-6 feet.

Other end of the same undercut pit.

After searching and searching, we hadn't found anything new, and were about to give up. But then we came upon this cut, which was almost hidden from above.

And sure enough, it had an opening! The mouth of the adit was slumped, but there was room to slip in.

Shining a light down from outside, it didn't appear to go far. But I decided to slide down for a few pics inside the "small" chamber. (Cell phone photo by Sheldon)

Once inside, I saw that it went a lot further than I'd thought!

Further on, a small ceiling collapse.

Hundreds if not thousands of cave crickets covered the ceiling..

The adit came to an end after a little over 100 feet.

At the end of the adit was a small cut-out, about 12" x 12", two feet deep. There was a mouse nest at the end of the cavity.

I found an old tobacco can/tin near the end of the adit.

There was a small cut-out cavity near the end of the adit.

Old pick marks on the wall. All of the works here were dug with only hand tools.

Heading back Keep in mind that when we're in these tunnels, they are nowhere near as bright as they appear in these photos!

Getting closer to the adit's mouth.

Almost there...

Nearing the entrance / exit... Note the little side pocket cut out on the left side.

Not sure how deep this side pocket was originally, as it was filled with dirt from the slumped adit mouth.

Sheldon was patiently waiting outside...

Sheldon went in for a look after I climbed out.

Bowers Cove Index	South Union Co. Mine Index
Towns-Union Mining Index	S Towns - S Union Co. Index