The Chester Mica Mine and Quarry. Located in the Chester Blandford State Forest, it was originally worked in the 1800’s for feldspar, leaving the open cut or quarry as a result. The site was worked again during the 1940’s for mica by the Chester Granite Co., which sunk the shaft. Minerals found here: albite, beryl, muscovite, quartz, black tourmaline, spodumene, zircon and more. Mica was used for wood stove doors and low voltage insulators. The flooded shaft is connected to the quarry which is a cut approx 800 feet long. You need a permit to collect here. The historic photo of the mine buildings is fascinating, never before seen courtesy of the DCR in their historic collection shown by Alec Gillman.

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