Casper Mountain in 2016 is a recreational area, home of the Beartrap Summer Festival, and many Casperites live year round in the picturesque surroundings.

In the 1800's, south of the Hogadon Ski Area and Northeast of the Archery Range was a mining town called Eadsville. Eadsville covered 20 acres on Casper Mountain. It was surveyed as a stamp mill.

In 1890, a gold strike on Casper Mountain brought many different characters to pursue fast riches. Cowboys, Businessmen, laborers, and the like looked until 1895. The materials found were asbestos  and other non-profitable minerals.

What was the material they unearthed? Pegmatite, which is formed when molten rock cools slowly and the minerals solidify, making for some interesting crystals. Quality and quantity were a problem and not profitable for a business.

The other minerals mined at Eadsville included copper, galena, gold, silver, and asbestos.

The town was named for one Charles W. Eads, who was the second person to settle in Casper. A Mr. Merritt was credited with being the first to locate to Casper. Charles W. Eads appeared in the Natrona County Tribune, May 13, 1908. It seems he carried the stigma of being a horse thief. He would go on to do time in prison.

There were other mines in operation at the head of Hat Six, Goose Creeks and the Galena Queen at the head of Elkhorn Creek. Cooperopolis was another located near Eadsville.

Southwest of  the Lions Camp was a chromium mine during the time of World War II. Feldspar, which is used in bathtubs, stoves and even dentures, was mined near Camp Sacajawea. As the production of gold and asbestos didn't pay that much, it was the 'denture rush' around 1956 that feldspar became a wanted commodity.

Deception played a big part of Casper Mountain Mining history too. Unscrupulous miners would use there weaponry (scatter guns) to blast gold into the walls of their mines, allowing them to sell their claims to unsuspecting miners. This action caused many to be swindled.

There's very little left of Eadsville existence, except for the spring that marked the center of town.

The next trip you make up Casper Mountain, maybe you'll find some time to explore the few remnants of Eadsville.

 

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