On September 11, 2000, The Homestake Mine announced that it would cease gold mining operations. In the 125 years of mining in Lead, Homestake produced over 40 million ounces of gold. Lead Historic Preservation
calls the Homestake Mine “the Richest 100 Square Miles” on the Earth.”
The original strike that eventually became the Homestake Mine was made in 1876 at Bobtail Gulch near Central City. Brothers Fred and Moses Manuel along with Hank Harney and Alexander Engh sold their claim to George Hearst a year later. He re-named it Homestake.
At first, miners found gold on the surface and followed those initial mineral veins underground. The work was done by hand, even though it was clear that miners would have to follow the veins much deeper into the hillside. Small tunnels were created to get as much gold as possible. Through the years, miners were equipped with candlesticks, mules, and hammers. And later, they would use state-of-the-art pneumatic and hydraulic equipment for both tunneling and the massive open cut.
As the Hearst family prospered from the Homestake, George's wife Pheobe, created several community-minded projects in Lead. The most notable was the Homestake Opera House. It included a grand performance hall and several recreational spaces. Even a free kindergarten and library.
The Opera House burned in the early 1980s but is being rebuilt to much of its former glory. The mine now has an afterlife as a scientific research center.
Production help is provided by Brad Tennant, Dakota Wesleyan University.