Powder mills and graphite mines

Java55 — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:14:30 -0400

I assume you must be speaking of the replacement powder mill which was constructed shortly before the end of the War between the States along Crabtree Creek about a quarter mile upstream from where Anderson Drive crosses over the creek. After the accidental explosion and destruction of the first powder mill located at House Creek (located about a quarter mile upstream from where it empties into Crabtree Creek at what is now Crabtree Valley) a replacement powder mill was built along Crabtree Creek at the location previously mentioned however it didn't see much action since the war ended shortly after its construction. A number of years back before all the construction took place between Crabtree Creek and Six Forks Road just west of Anderson Drive there used to be some old foundations located about a quarter mile upstream to the west in those woods. As for their current status now, I have no idea since I haven't been out there ever since the area became so heavily developed.

Now for the lack of connection between the old graphite mines and the powder mills, graphite is a crystalline form of carbon not nearly as suitable for making black powder as the amorphous carbon found in charcoal. Also the graphite mines really didn't see their full potentials until somewhat later on after the war but still well within the 1800's. Below is a link you might find interesting concerning one of the graphite mines (this one was just off Lead Mine Road) although somewhat off-topic it does show a great view of what one of the old mine adits looked like during the 1800's.

http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/Geologic_hazards_mines/old_mines.htm#Graphite

And for some more information about the Wake County graphite mines here's a quote from this website:

http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/bannister/bannister.html
(from about halfway down the page)

"GRAPHITE, or Plumbago, is found in abundance in Wake County, a few miles west of Raleigh, and extending a distance of eighteen or twenty miles southwestward. It is in veins, six to eighteen inches in width, with quartz associated, and the veins clipping at an angle of 60° or 70°. It is highly valued as a paint, but contains too much silex for use as pencils, or as anti-friction bearings. In Lincoln County, on the border of Catawba County, other extensive deposits exist, reported to be of good quality, also. Where so much is found, it is scarcely possible that the best forms of the mineral will not ultimately be discovered. The black-lead beds of Wake County alone exceed in extent all others known. They have been worked, and the product refined at Raleigh, for some years with fair success."

As for getting more historical information these days it is becoming increasingly difficult but if you google "North Carolina Office of Archives and History" this will give you some good leads from which to to start at to further your quest.

Northern Wake County History

p1a2f3 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:04:40 -0400

Looking at some history fact relationsships between the Civil war powder mill on crabtree creek (Powder Mill) and the possible use of graphite from the mine(s) along Leadmine Road. Just getting started

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Powder mills and graphite mines

Northern Wake County History