New York State Museum 



Emery Mines of Westchester County 



A visit to the emery mines southeast of Peekskill, was made 

 by the writer May 0, 1S09. 



The locality first visited was that of the abandoned mines 

 southeast of Dickerson pond. About five years ago some emery 

 was mined there, but the mine was too inaccessible and was soon 

 abandoned. 



These openings were made originally by the Grant iron co.> for 

 iron ore. Old iron mines of this company are scattered from this 

 point southward to Oolabaugh pond. Mines of other companies 

 are also scattered through this region. The Croton iron co. still 

 claims the right to control all mineral properties on the south 

 side of Nash mountain. 



Some years ago an emery mill was operated at Peekskill by 

 Mr St Clair, who mined a few hundred tons of emery on the 

 Bugbee farm, about three miles west of Peekskill. After running 

 for a year or twos the mine was abandoned, and the plant was re- 

 moved to Oscawana to be near a new source of emery. A new 

 mill was built here, but not long operated. Another company 

 then purchased the mill, but before operations had begun it was 

 burned. It has never been rebuilt. The supply of emery for this 

 mill came from the south side of Nash mountain. 



At present the entire emery region is under the control of two 

 companies, that have leased the mineral rights on all farms in 

 the district. 



The Tanite co., of Stroudsburg (Pa.) controls the mineral 

 rights on the greater part of the district and mines at several 

 points. 



The Jackson Mills emery co v of Easton (Pa.) controls the 

 mineral rights on the farm of I. McCoy, which is situated in the 

 heart of the emery belt and contains several extensive deposits. 

 This is about the only property which is not controlled by the 

 Tanite co. 



