Morris County’s Miners
The County of Morris
“Morris County’s Miners” is an archival digital collection that delves into Morris County’s mining history—and it is a work in progress. Although history has recorded the names of the mining barons, the names, faces, and stories of the miners have been largely forgotten. Therefore, historians under the auspices of Morris County’s Office of Planning & Preservation (MCOPP) are seeking to uncover vintage photos, facts, and stories to add to this collection.
“Our invitations to the public to assist us in compiling historical information for other projects has worked well, and we would love more information on the miners. The prize for us would be photographs,” said Jan Williams, a Cultural and Historic Resources Specialist for the MCOPP.
Morris County has a deep history of mining still visible today, from the names of locations such as Mine Hill Township and Richard Mine Road, to the pits and sinkholes marking the landscape to the remnants of historic mills that processed the bounty, including the Boonton Ironworks.
Morris County historians have gathered many names from census data in Morris County, and in some cases, for example, the 1880 Census for Teabo Mine in Rockaway Township even made a distinction between an individual who works in mine and a miner. Morris County has included them all in “Morris County’s Miners.”
“Also included are those who made their living in service to miners: shopkeepers, physicians and contractors,” Williams added.
To view “Morris County’s Miners” go to morriscountynj.gov and put Morris County’s Miners in the search box.
To contribute vintage photos or stories about miners from the 1700s or those who followed to work the mines, mills, and supportive industries into the 20th Century, contact Jan Williams at jwilliams@co.morris.nj.us.
Photos by the County of Morris
