Exploring an Abandoned Iron Mine from the 1800s

 

EXPLORING an Abandoned Mine in Wentworth, New Hampshire

 This mine was worked between 1943 and 1945, first by the White Mountain Mica Mining Company before changing hands in 1944. A 30' adit extends off the back of the 100' cut, and leftover equipment remains discarded just up the hill. We first located this mine in November of 2020 and made this return exploration in July of 2021.

EXPLORING Abandoned Mines from the 1940s

 

SEARCHING For Abandoned Mines in Lyman, NH

 

SEARCHING for Bear's Den & Surrounding Caves, Gilsum NH

 

Exploring an Abandoned Mine in Grafton County, NH

 

EXPLORING The Ruby & Barney Mines

 

Somersworth's Bear Cage

Those of you who frequent these posts may already know who I am. Whether the topic includes collecting animal bones, or drudging up a blast from the past, my name will likely surface. For a more formal introduction, my name is Madison Rondinone, daughter of Dave. No, I am not a frequent hiker (mosquitoes and bushwhacking don’t exactly make for comforting companions), but I will never turn down a good adventure! This past week my mom and I ventured out to Willand Pond in Somersworth, New Hampshire.

If you haven’t swung by this neck of the woods, I would highly recommend it. Not only is there a one-mile walking trail that circles the pond, but there is an assortment of exercise and obstacle-themed activities along the way. (I’m not too proud to admit that I may have tried a few!) You’ve heard it here – these are both kid and adult-approved!

One thing I want to make mention of is the history that surrounds this land. Originally making way in the late 1800s, Willand Pond became a center for activity in the early 1900s. From a roller-skating rink to a dance hall, from bowling alleys to arcades, there was something for everybody to enjoy. Looking at this land now, you would never imagine it to be so flourished at one point in time. Though much of these sites are long gone, few relics remain to be treasured. On your way to the trails, you will cruise down High Street in Somersworth. What is now a state-run liquor store, was once a large car barn. This brick building is made unique with its tall, archway doors, adding character to the street-facing wall.

Now for my favorite part of the journey – the bear cage! That’s right, one of the largest attractions from the hot-spot days included a showing of black bear cubs. While noted that this is no longer a morally accepted form of entertainment, at the time this was one of their most famed attractions. Today you can walk up to, and in, the infamous stone cage. In recent years, the framework has been repaired. Interestingly enough, this mission was led by a local Eagle Scout, only 13 years old!

Unfortunately, that is the end of my journey this time. But as we all know, there is never an end to history. Next time you are cruising the seacoast of New Hampshire I would recommend a stop to Willand Pond. And lucky for you – if you are trying to avoid a hike, some of the coolest attractions await right at the front door.

https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/library/history/Heritage-Walking-Tours/1986-heritage-walking-tour.html

https://www.fosters.com/article/20141130/gjcommunity_01/141139964

SEARCHING for Abandoned Mines in Ossipee NH

 

Exploring the Pattuck & Hutchins Hill Mines

 

Remains of the Homestead Nursing Home

The Homestead Nursing Home opened in 1960 on Route 1 in southern Maine, just a stones throw north of the Kittery outlets. Among the home's offerings were an outpatient unit, dental and eye exam rooms, a surgical center, and many more state of the art amenities. A staff of 15 doctors and 40 employees worked here full-time, but in 2001 it was announced that the facility was expected to suffer financial losses of $340,000, and that owner Bill Gillis - who had purchased the business just two years prior - would be shutting it down.

The building sat empty for many years following its closure, but despite the town's 2012 demands that the structure be torn down, hazardous conditions and high demolition costs postponed its destruction for many more years to come. Left to the elements, what remained here became a haven for vandals and explorers alike.

   

Never one to pass up the chance of exposing ourselves to a little asbestos, a few buddies and I roamed this building in the winter of 2017. What we found was one of the nastier abandoned buildings I've been in, but one that still had plenty of things to see.

This room was of some importance judging by the large wall safe it contained, and I wonder if it were left open like this when the hospital was abandoned, or if some clever explorer was able to unlock it.

   

The hospital also contained several common areas, large rooms that became canvases for graffiti artists ranging from unoriginal and unimaginative to some quite talented.  

In many spots the walls and roof have deteriorated completely, opening the door for mother nature to enter in the form of vegetation during one half of the year, and snow during the other.  

I'm suspicious that this is the actual number of days without an accident the facility ended with. 

Nearly twenty years after shutting down, what sat as an eyesore for so many years is now touted as a success story by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Through a cooperative effort with a local developer they were able to tear down this building and divide the land into two separate parcels, and plans are now in the works to construct residential housing on one of those parcels and senior housing on the other. Meaning among other things, if you didn't get to explore this mess before now, you've missed your opportunity.

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-10/documents/bf-ss-homestead-nursing-home-kittery-me.pdf

EXPLORING The Kilton Mica Mine

The Kilton Mica Mine is located in the mountains of Grafton New Hampshire, where the Eureka Mining company leased property from M. M. Kilton and began operations in 1914. Three dig sites exist on the mountain - two I had found previously and the third one I went searching for on this adventure.