Chester Mica Mine and Quarry. This site was originally worked in the 1800s for feldspar, leaving the open cut or quarry as a result. The site was worked again during the 1940s for mica by the Chester Granite Co., which sunk the shaft.

The mines in the state forest were operated at two different times for two different reasons. In the nineteenth century, the mica was mined and transported by cart to a mill on old Route 20 where it was processed and used as peek windows in wood stoves. The old mill was torn down about 60 years ago.  During the Second World War, the mines were reopened at the government’s request to help satisfy a critical shortage of mica used in the insulation of aircraft spark plugs.

The Chester mica was low grade for this purpose, and the Chester Granite Company (Chester granite saw) was reluctant to sink the necessary shaft. But after receiving assurances from the government that they would be reimbursed, they went ahead with the project. The mining continued for three years. After the war, the government reneged on its promise and the Chester Granite Company subsequently went bankrupt.

Many minerals of interest are to be found in the dumps around the mines. Mica, feldspar, quartz, garnet, and tourmaline are among the more common.

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