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Not so sexy
manganese
The most productive and important of all the regional metals (in addition to iron) was manganese. Though not nearly as sexy as gold, manganese plays a crucial role in a number of alloys of iron, aluminum, copper and as hardener of steel products such as drill bits. Crimora, about 10 miles northeast of Waynesboro was the manganese capitol of the world in the 1880s.
The largest deposit was 3,000 feet long, 500 feet wide, and 200 feet deep. Crimora Lake, visible from Skyline Drive, was created to wash the raw ore. Other similar, but strangely green-colored smaller lakes are nearby, some of which were filled to cover old mining pits. Debris from the operations, largely inhospitable to vegetation, fitters the landscape as well. The Crimora manganese field was productive until the 1960s. In fact, when the boundaries for Shenandoah National Park were being established in the 30s, the manganese deposits were conspicuously left out of the protected area. Now the old operations are just a footnote in our local history.
So all the old ore is essentially gone, mates. But hope springs eternal and while not so likely, it’s at least conceivable that some modem strike of precious stones or minerals will create a new fever in the hearts of 21st Century prospectors. If that happens, look out. As in times past, comprehensive plans, zoning, and all the other niceties are out the window. If there’s gold in them there hills’, that’s what counts, laddies! As for us, when the next rush comes we’ll be content in selling the pans, coffee, and flour and so forth to the miners.
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