Sterling Mine
Recently I have been taking a liking to underground caverns and mines. So I took a trip to Sterling Mine (of Lord Stirling) in Ogdensberg, NJ. This mine was originally worked as an iron ore mine. However in the late 80’s the cost of iron ore went too low to have the mine still be cost effective to operate. Thus a few years later the mine reopened for tours, visited by 35,000 people yearly.
There are many different tunnels creating the sterling mine, one of the more famous ones is the Edison Tunnel. Mr. Edison was involved in the design and construction of the mine from 1890 to 1900. Unfortunately during my trip it had recently rained and when that happens we were told, the Edison Tunnel floods. I was disappointed that the Edison was one of the main features I expected to see while there and wasn’t able to. However, I will say the Rainbow Room was much worth the disappointment of no Edison. My only hope was to have had more time to photograph the fluorescent zinc ore that glows like neon paint under black light. I was happy to take my piece of iron ore that everyone else on the tour is offered.
Right down the road from this mine is a related museum, the Franklin Mineral Museum. Since it was so close we happened to find it on the way home. It was a nice extra stop, but certainly not worth it to just drive there and look at rocks. The most enjoyable part was, the Fluorescence room. Many of the rocks found at the mine were brought to this museum and displayed behind glass, once all white light is turned off and black light turned on. The rocks looked as though they were painted with neon splatter. It also had a replica mine to walk through, which had multiple levels. If you are in the area I do suggest stopping at this museum, since it is definitely a good addition to seeing the actual mine.
This isn’t the most amazing mine there probably is to visit. But since it was so local I found it to be just right for a day trip. Hopefully the next time I visit a mine, we will be allowed to go deeper into the mine, to experience it even more. The mine elevator was not working and who knows when it last did, so perhaps it is best that the tours did not continue past the ground (entry) level. But I hope to find a mine that does still work that I could visit.
If you’ve been to this mine or have suggestions for other active mines that gives tours please comment below.