Howard Spencer Iron Ore Mine

Location: south side of West Ridge Road, close to Fremont Road, West Nottingham

Newspaper Clippings

Daily Local News
19th November 1890

The Oxford Press says: A party of miners have been at work for several days in West Nottingham township, Chester county, boring for mineral. They are now operating on the land of Howard Spencer, on the barren ridge, about a mile from the Maryland line, and are penetrating the earth to quite a considerable depth. The borings are frequently examined as the drill descends to ascertain the character of the rock and earth. The surface indications are regarded as favorable for the kind of mineral wanted. The operators are rather reticent and shy about telling what they are after, but common report has it that they expect to find a mineral to be used in the manufacture of steel of extra quality. The company is represented by a Mr. Scott, from Harrisburg, who has several men in his employ.

It is stated that the syndicate has purchased Alpheus C. Cooper’s farm adjoining the tract on which operations have been commenced, and other land will be purchased. It is said that branch railroad to Sylmar and a smelting furnace are in contemplation, but these improvements are doubtless predicated upon a big find of mineral. We hope the expectations of the operators, of the owners of the land and the people of the neighborhood will work out, as a good crop of rich ore, whether it be of iron, tin, lead, chrome, silver, or even gold, would measure out quite as satisfactorily as the agricultural crops some of the land is now producing. There is doubtless something valuable hid away somewhere in the bowels of the earth in that region.

Coatesville Weekly Times
22nd November 1890

Mysterious Miners – A party of miners have been at work for several days in West Nottingham township, Chester county boring for mineral, says the Oxford Press. They are now operating on land of Howard Spencer, on the barren ridge, about a mile from the Maryland line, and are penetrating the earth to a considerable depth. The borings are frequently examined as the drill descends to ascertain the character of the rock and earth. The surface indications are regarded as favorable for the kind of mineral wanted. The operators are rather reticent and shy about telling what they are after, but common report has it that they expect to find a mineral to be used in the manufacture of steel of extra quality. The company is represented by a Mr. Scott, from Harrisburg, who has several men in his employ.

Daily Local News
11th December 1890

All the farmers in the southern portion of the county, especially in the Nottinghams, are delighted over the belief that a valuable vein of iron ore stretches itself through their domains. Certain it is that one of the richest veins perhaps in the State has been revealed in the prospects that have recently been made on the old Andrew Dunlap place, in West Nottingham, about five miles from Oxford. Yesterday the prospectors ceased their labors, declaring that what had been developed was sufficient to warrant them in saying the Philadelphian who owns the place is henceforth a rich man. A short time since, encouraged by what had been learned from the deposits, the owner of this now valuable piece of land purchased 30 acres from A. C. Cooper, whose farm adjoins the Dunlap land, for the sum of $1320.00, and this, it is stated, is only to be used as a dumping ground. It is universally believed that an enormous body of fine iron ore is to be found anywhere and everywhere in that country, and it is rumored that other farms are to be tested like the Dunlap place. Everyone down there is happy and there is considerable excitement attending the discovery, especially since the owners of the Dunlap farm have given orders to stop all prospecting until spring, when iron furnaces and all the paraphernalia for mining will be established there.

What They Learned

The prospectors on the Dunlap farm bored down many feet in four places, in one of which they struck a solid bed of rich iron ore 10 feet thick; in another they struck 22 feet of wash ore and in another 18 feet and the latter and in the forth they went through 10 feet of pure izingglass.

[Wikipedia: Thin transparent sheets of mica called "isinglass" were used for peepholes in boilers, lanterns, stoves, and kerosene heaters because they were less likely to shatter than glass when exposed to extreme temperature gradients. Such peepholes were also used in "isinglass curtains" in horse-drawn carriages and early 20th century cars.]

Daily Local News
23rd March 1891

West Nottingham and the adjacent townships are undoubtedly rich in ore, as the recent diggings in the former township have proven. Howard Spencer, of Philadelphia, owns the richest iron part yet discovered, but a number of specimens in ‘Squire Taylor’s law office, Oxford, taken from the latter’s farm, which is adjacent to that of Mr. Spencer, have been pronounced as excellent for surface ore, and some of the same, which have been analyzed, turned out from 35 to 85 per cent of iron. Close to this is a section containing a heavy vein of oxide of iron, which is used in the manufacture of paints. This expert declare to be of the best, while the renowned Nottingham serpentine vein also passes through the above places. Altogether the prospects for a boom in Nottingham are favorable.

Oxford Press
24th November 1898

West Nottingham people wait the intended development of an iron ore prospect in their township, so rumor says. It is the Harvey Spencer property of about 40 acres which, as report goes, is a great bed of valuable iron ore some distance below the surface. The projectors of the enterprise compose the Mineral Ridge Mining Company, capital $150,000. Joseph Black of Columbia is President and the other officer and directors are known in business as careful investors. The manager of the company is a party of the name Wallace who has had western mining experience and is now out there arranging matters prior to operations in the “Barrens.”

Mr. Black’s purchase of the property from Mr. Spencer’s estate was made some time ago and it is reported that he has since refused $47,000 for it. John Dabler, we are informed, recently bored several holes in various parts of the property and at a depth of about 32 feet stuck ore. This confirmed Mr. Black’s expectation and he is satisfied that an inexhaustible supply of ore is there. A party that has been looking over the ground says that tunnels will be run and crude material taken out wholesale. The ore is said to be of superior quality and will be made into steel rails. It is thought shipments will be made to Sparrow’s Point, Maryland, where the ore will be treated in the great iron works. If the force of men talked of, about 40, go to work on the company’s property and continue it will be a good thing for the neighborhood. There had already been some talk between Mr. Black and local parties about hauling the ore to the proposed shipping station. Mr. Black visits the property frequently, reaching Rising Sun by rail and is then driven to it. He is said to be an approachable man and of jovial disposition. Our informant says this is what he understands about the enterprise and if it is incorrect he had been misinformed. The Press hopes there is millions in it.

Daily Local News
20th December 1902

On the Spencer property, in West Nottingham, Harry Hopkins and his partner, Mr. Black, are preparing to revive the iron industry, which has been lying dormant there for a period of thirty years. They have on hand 700 to 900 tons of ore, and will begin shortly hauling it to Sylmar Station, where it will be shipped to some furnace for smelting, possibly to Sparrow’s Point, Baltimore.

Should the venture pay it is likely that a furnace will be established near the present mines, as all that country is rich in mineral deposits, and a large amount of ore may readily be taken out. 

The haul to Sylmar is a distance of about two miles.

Oxford Press
23rd November 1938

Mineral Ridge Mining Company

West Nottingham people await the intended development of an iron ore property in their township, so rumor says. It is the Harvey Spencer property of some 40 acres which, report goes, is a great bed of valuable iron ore some distance below the surface. The projectors of the enterprise compose the Mineral Ridge Mining Company, capital $150,000, Joseph Black of Columbia is president and other officers and directors are men known in business as careful investors. The manager of the company is a party by the name of Wallace, who has had western mining experience and is now there arranging matters prior to operations in the barrens.