MS Book and Mineral Company

Upper Mississippi Zinc-Pb Mining District Catalog


Home Page

Contact information

Fossil Specimens

Mineral Specimens

Place an Order

Sale


Mining History Illustrations
Upper Mississippi Zn-Pb Mining District  in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin Catalog  

 

The term Upper Mississippi Zinc and Lead Deposits is term used around the world to describe similar deposits.  This District had a very long history dating back to the 17th Century. 
Early Indian tribes mined lead here for years.  French fur trappers traded for lead from the Indians as early as the 1680's.  The first real lead miners arrived in the Wisconsin-Illinois-Iowa area from many places including Missouri.  Cornish miners arrived during the 1830's and settled mainly in the Mineral Point area.  By 1830, there were more than 4,000 lead miners in southwestern Wisconsin.  Many of the early miners simply dug into the hillsides to form make-shift shelters. 
This burrowing practice led to the term "badgers" for these early miners. 

By the 1840's lead mining had slowed and miners were ready to move on looking for copper, iron, and gold.  The discovery of gold in California attracted many to leave.
During the 1840's miners who remained began mining zinc.  Zinc mining replaced lead mining and eventually Mineral Point became a major smelter of zinc.  By 1855, most of this zinc mining had ended also and was replaced by agriculture. 


Publications on this area are quite rare and mainly date back to the 1950's and 1960's.  Geology of the area was studied during
that time and again later during the 1990's.  But there is a real paucity of literature available.  Enjoy these items while they are available. 
Some of these are only available in photocopy form.  Mel Schmidt


Abbreviations used below: pb, an original paper covered document; pc, photocopied and bound in paper as original; pdf, digital copy on cd; SIR, Scientific Investigation Report; SIM, Scientific Investigation Map

Items below listed in this color are new entries

Books

Bain, H. F. / ZINC AND LEAD DEPOSITS OF NORTHWESTERN ILLINOIS, USGS B 246, 1905, pb, 56 pages, 5 plates, 3 figs., $ 65

Bain, H. F. / ZINC AND LEAD DEPOSITS OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY, USGS B 294, 1906, afb, 153 pages, 16 plates, 45 figs., $ 50

Bradbury, J. C., et.al. / GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE MAP OF THE NORTHWESTERN ILLINOIS ZINC-LEAD DISTRICT, Illinois Geologic Survey Circular 214, used, $ 35

Bradbury, L. C. / GEOCHEMICAL PROSPECTING IN THE ZINC-LEAD DISTRICT OF NORTHWEST ILLINOIS, Illinois Geologic Survey Report of Investigation 79, Urbana, 1955, pb, 1955, pb, 11 pages, 2 figs., used, $ 7

Cannon, R. S., et.al. / LEAD ISOTOPE GUIDES FOR MISSISSIPPI VALLEY LEAD-ZINC EXPLORATION, USGS B 1312 G, 1969, pb, 20 pages, 13 figs., $ 10

Cox, G. H. / LEAD AND ZINC DEPOSITS OF NORTHWESTERN ILLINOIS, Illinois B 21, Urbana, 1914, cl, 120 pages, 22 plates (4 in pocket), 13 figs., - 5 -, archival repairs, $ 75

De Geoffroy, J. / GEOCHEMICAL PROSPECTING BY SPRING SAMPLING IN THE SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN ZINC MINING AREA, Geological and Natural History Survey IC 10, Madison, 1969, pb, 28 pages, 8 figs., appendix, 1 plate (in pocket), $ 20

Flint, A. E. and Brown, C. E. / EXPLORATORY DRILLING FOR EVIDENCE OF ZINC AND LEAD ORE IN DUBUQUE COUNTY, IOWA, USGS B 1027 K, 1956, pb, 28 pages, 8 figs., $ 16

Grant, W. S. / REPORT ON THE LEAD AND ZINC DEPOSITS OF WISCONSIN with an atlas of detailed maps (absent, but I was able to find and make copies of some of the originals), Wisconsin B 14, Madison, 1906, cl, 100 pages, - 3 -, $ 75

Heyl, A. V., et.al. / ZINC-LEAD-COPPER RESOURCES AND GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DISTRICT, USGS B 1015 G, 1955, pb, 18 pages, 2 plates (in pocket), 2 figs., $ 25

Heyl, A. V. / GEOLOGY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY BASE-METAL DISTRICT, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, IC 16, Madison, 1978, pb, 45 pages, 15 figs., 1 table, - 2 -, $ 40

Heyl, A. V. and King, E. R. / AEROMAGNETIC AND TECTONIC ANALYSIS OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ZINC-LEAD DISTRICT, B 1242 A, 1966, pb, 16 pages, 1 plate (in pocket), 2 figs., $ 15

Heyl, A. V., Jr., et.al. / THE GEOLOGY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ZINC-LEAD DISTRICT, USGS PP 309, 1959, pb, 310 pages, 24 plates (in separate slipcase), 101 figs., 8 tables, mint condition, very rare, $ 350

Heyl, A. V., et.al. / REGIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS-KENTUCKY MINERAL DISTRICTS, USGS B 1202 B, 1965, pb, 20 pages, 3 plates, 2 figs., 1 table, $ 19

Kennedy, V. C. / GEOCHEMICAL STUDIES IN THE SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN ZINC-LEAD AREA, USGS B 1000 E, 1956, pb, 36 pages, 11 plates (in pocket), 8 figs., $ 20

Kisvarsanyi, G., et.al. / INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MISSISSIPPI VALLEY TYPE LEAD-ZINC DEPOSITS PROCEEDINGS VOLUME, Rolla, 1983, pb, 603 pages, - 3 -, $ 75

Mudrey, M. G., Jr., Ed. / UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY BASE-METAL DISTRICT, Wisconsin Geology and Natural History Survey, Field Trip Guidebook, Companion volume to IC 16, Madison, 1978, pb, 39 pages, 11 figs., 2 road logs with 5 stops, - 2 -, $ 35

Pratt, W. P. / REGIONAL POTENTIAL OF SELECTED PALEOZOIC CARBONATE UNITS IN THE NORTHERN MIDCONTINENT FOR UNDISCOVERED MISSISSIPPI VALLEY TYPE DEPOSITS, USGS 1989 G, 1995, pb, 14 pages, 3 plates (in pocket), 2 figs., $ 12



Schafer, J. / THE WISCONSIN LEAD REGION, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Domesday Book, General Studies Volume 3, Madison, 1932, afb, 341 pages, reprint of original, - 2 -, $ 150 [Topics include: Story of Lead, 1790 - 1861, Mining and Farming, Lead Miners, Lead Miners in Politics, Mining Conditions, Land and Agriculture, Land Holders, Towns and Villages, Population Changes, Americanizing the Foreigners]





Skemp & Conley Publishers / COMPLETE YEAR BOOK OF WISCONSIN, ILLINOIS, AND IOWA LEAD AND ZINC MINES, Alphabetically arranged with a map of the Northwest Lead and Zinc District showing railroads, river, townships, cities, towns, locations of mines, Dubuque, 1906, pc, bound into a thesis binder, 190 pages, lots of advertising, map is copied to paper and in color to card stock, this is probably the best reference to the original Upper Mississippi Valley Zinc and Lead mines and their locations, - 2 -, reprint of original, $ 150

Trowbridge, A. C. and Shaw, E. W. / GEOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY OF THE GALENA AND ELIZABETH QUADRANGLES, AND THE HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT OF JO DAVIESS COUNTY, Urbana, 1916, pb, 233 pages, 2 color plates, $ 85 [I have printed this bulletin on heavy white paper; it is unbound (too thick to staple) and single sided to give you room to make notes on the backside of previous pages as you study the material; I recommend read it, study it, and/or take notes first, then place it in sheet protectors and a 3-ring binder for safe-keeping. It could be 3-hole punched if you prefer that. (If you want me to 3-hole punch, add sheet protectors, or place it in a thesis binder like what the Skemp document comes with (item immediately above) before shipping, please let me know. Adding any of these will cost additional.)

Uglow, W. L. / A STUDY OF METHODS OF MINE VALUATION AND ASSESSMENT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ZINC MINES OF SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN, Wisconsin B 41, Madison, 1914, cl, 73 pages, - 3 -, $ 75

Van Heyl, A., et.al. / LEAD-ZINC-COPPER AND GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DISTRICT, USGS B 1015 G, 1955, pc, 18 pages, 2 plates, 2 figs., 1 table, $ 25

Voskuil, W. H. and Steven, D. F. / ILLINOIS MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 1944, Illinois Geological Survey RI 109, Urbana, 1945, pb, 90 pages, 14 figs., 70 tables, - 2 -, $ 20  [has a brief note on the Upper Mississippi Zn-Pb District]

Voskuil, W. H. / ILLINOIS MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 1947, Urbana, Illinois Geological Survey RI 140, 1949, pb, 91 pages, 19 figs., 66 tables, - 2 -, $ 30  [has a sizeable amount of information on the Upper Mississippi Az-Pb District]

Voskuil, W. H. / ILLINOIS MINERAL INDUSTRY IN 1944, Urbana, Illinois Geological Survey RI 147, 1950, pb, 73 pages, 16 figs., 52 tables, - 2 -, $ 20 has a brief note on the Upper Mississippi Zn-Pb District]

Willman, H. B., et.al. / GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF PROSPECTING AND AREAS FOR PROSPECTING IN THE ZINC-LEAD DISTRICT OF NORTHWEST ILLINOIS, Urbana, Iilinois Geological Survey 116, 48 pages, 2 plates, $ 45

Willman, H. B. and Reynolds, R. R. / GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF THE ZINC-LEAD DISTRICT OF NORTHWEST ILLINOIS, Urbana, IIIinois Geological Survey RI 124, 16 pages, 7 plates, $ 30


USGS Bulletins

B 246 / B 246 / Bain, H. F. / ZINC AND LEAD DEPOSITS OF NORTHWESTERN ILLINOIS, 1905, pb, 56 pages, 5 plates, 3 figs., $ 65


USGS series dedicated to the Upper Mississippi Valley Zn-Pb Mining District listed in order from a complete version and in parts A to I (letter designations of the papers)

B 1123 A / Brown, C. E. and Whitlow, J. W. / GEOLOGY OF THE DUBUQUE SOUTH QUADRANGLE, IOWA – ILLINOIS, 1960, pb, 93 pages, 7 plates (in pocket), 18 figs., $ 15

B 1123 B / Carlson, J. E. / GEOLOGY OF THE MONFORT AND LINDEN QUADRANGLES, WISCONSIN, 1961, pb, 43 pages, 2 plates, 3 figs., $ 10

B 1123 C / Whitlow, J. W. and Brown, C. E. / GEOLOGY OF THE DUBUQUE NORTH QUADRANGLE, IOWA - WISCONSIN - ILLINOIS, 1963, pb, 29 pages, 2 plates, 3 figs., $ 10

B 1123 D / Allingham, J. W. / GEOLOGY OF THE DODGEVILLE AND MINERAL POINT QUADRANGLES, WISCONSIN, 75 pages, 7 plates, 13 figs., 3 tables, $ 25

B 1123 E / Agnew, A. F. / GEOLOGY OF THE PLATTEVILLE QUADRANGLE, WISCONSIN, 1963, pb, 32 pages, 1 plate, 5 figs., 1 table, $ 10

B 1123 F / Taylor, A. R. / GEOLOGY OF THE REWEY AND MIFFLIN QUADRANGLES, WISCONSIN, 1964, pb, 81 pages, 2 plates, 4 figs., $ 10

B 1123 G / Klemic, H. and West W. S. / GEOLOGY OF THE BELMONT AND CALAMINE QUADRANGLES, WISCONSIN, 1964, pb, 74 pages, 3 plates, 4 figs., $ 10

B 1123 H / Mullens, T. E. / GEOLOGY OF THE CUBA CITY, NEW DIGGINGS, AND SHULLSBURG QUADRANGLES, WISCONSIN AND ILLINOIS, 1964, pb, 104 pages, 8 plates, 16 figs., 1 table, $ 40

B 1123 I / Whitlow, J. W. and West, W. S. / GEOLOGY OF THE POTOSI QUADRANGLE, GRANT COUNTY, WISCONSIN, AND DUBUQUE COUNTY, IOWA, 1966, pb, 4 plates (in pocket), 1 fig., $ 15



USGS B 2094 Series on new studies of the Upper Mississippi Zn-Pb Region listed in order by the letter sections of the papers

B 2094 B / Millen, T. M., et.al. / LEAD ISOTOPES FROM THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DISTRICT, A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE, 1995, pb, 13 pages, 4 figs., 3 tables, $ 8

B 2094 C / Spirakis, C. S. / PROBLEMS WITH APPLYING TOPOGRAPHICALLY DRIVEN FLOW TO GENESIS OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ZINC-LEAD DISTRICT AND TO FLUID FLOW IN THE ILLINOIS BASIN, 1995, pb, 3 figs., $ 14

B 2094 D / Ridgley, J. L., et.al. / SOURCE ROCK POTENTIAL OF THE LOWER PART OF THE MISSISSIPPIAN ST. LOUIS LIMESTONE IN SOUTH CENTRAL INDIANA, 1995, pb, 12 pages, 7 figs., 3 tables, $ 12

B 2094 F / Rowan, E. L. and Goldhaber, M. B. / FLUID INCLUSIONS AND BIOMARKERS IN THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ZINC-LEAD DISTRICT – IMPLICATIONS FOR FLUID-FLOW AND THERMAL HISTORY OF THE ILLINOIS BASIN, 1996, pb, 23 figs., 4 tables, $ 25



USGS Circulars

C 131 / Heyl, A. V., et.al. / EXPLORATION DRILLING IN THE PRAIRIE DU CHIEN GROUP OF THE WISCONSIN ZINC-LEAD DISTRICT BY THE USGS IN 1949-50, 35 pages, 10 figs., $ 28

C 231 / Agnew, A.F., et.al. / EXPLORATORY DRILLING PROGRAM OF THE USGS FOR EVIDENCES OF ZINC-LEAD MINERALIZATION IN IOWA AND WISCONSIN, 1950-51, 37 pages, 4 plates, 4 figs., $ 28


USBM Publications

I
C 7780 / Cole, W. A.  /  MINING AND MILLING METHODS AND COSTS, TRI-STATE ZINC, INC., JO DAVIESS COUNTY, ILLINOIS, 1957, 19 pages, 6 figs., 4 tables, pb, $ 30, pc, $ 14

IC 8208 / Beck, W. A. / LOADING AND TRANSPORTATION AT ZINC-LEAD MINES, THE EAGLE-PICHER COMPANY, JO DAVIESS COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND LAFAYETTE COUNTY, WISCONSIN, 1964, 31 pages, pb, $ 50; pc, $ 28

RI 4027 / Lincoln, F. C. / CROW BRANCH LEAD-ZINC DIGGINS AND VICINITY, GRANT COUNTY, WISCONSIN, 1947, 6 pages, pc, $ 6

RI 4028 / Lincoln, F. C. / LAST CHANCE MINE, GRANT COUNTY, WISCONSIN, 1947, 5 pages, pc, $ 6

RI 4327 / INVESTIGATIONS AT THE FAIRPLAY ZINC AND LEAD AREA, GRANT COUNTY, WISCONSIN, pc, $ 6

RI 4350 / Holt, S. P. /  INVESTIGATION OF THE BLEWETT ZINC-LEAD DEPOSIT, JO DAVIESS COUNTY, ILLINOIS, 1948, 36 pages, 7 figs., 2 table, data from the analysis of 16 drill holes, pc, $ 20

RI 5324 / FLOTATION OF IRON SULFIDES FROM ZINC TAILINGS OF SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN LEAD-ZINC DISTRICT, pb, $ 50; pc, $ 25

Maps


MF 0003 / GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE MAP OF THE BEETOWN LEAD-ZINC AREA, GRANT COUNTY, paper, $ 10 [The Beetown area, in Grant County, Wisconsin, in the northwestern part of the Upper Mississippi Valley zinc-lead district, lies in the western part of T. 4 N., R. 4 W., and the eastern part of T. 4 N., R. 5 W. The village of Beetown is at about its center. Recent geologic investigations in the area by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, indicate that further prospecting for both lead and zinc ore is justified. This brief preliminary paper discusses geologic features of the lead and the zinc deposits. It is one of several areas within the district chosen for detailed geolgic study because surface indications and past production suggest that the area may contain undiscovered lead and zinc deposits.]

MF 0015 / GEOLOGY AND ZINC-LEAD-BARITE DEPOSITS IN AN AREA IN LAFAYETTE COUNTY EACH OF CUBA CITY, WISCONSIN, pdf, $ 10 [The current study of the Wisconsin-Illinois-Iowa zinc-lead district was begun in 1942, with the major emphasis placed on detailed mapping of geologic structure and ore deposits. Preliminary reports for several areas in the mining district have been prepared, and the present study of the are east of Cuba City, Wis., is a continuation of that program.]

MF 0033 / GEOLOGY AND ZINC-LEAD DEPOSITS IN THE DURANGO AREA, DUBUQUE COUNTY, IOWA, pdf, $ 10 [Geologic investigations were begun in Iowa to appraise; (1) the possible occurrence of zinc ore in strata that elsewhere in the Upper Mississippi Valley zinc-lead district have been the principal sites of zinc concentration; and (2) lead ore of the type known as "crevice deposits," which were mined so extensively during the 19th century in Dubuque County, Iowa, but have been mined very little since 1910]

MF 0040 / ZINC AND LEAD DEPOSITS OF THE SINSINAWA RIVER AREA, WISCONSIN, pdf, $ 10 [A broad geologic study of the structure and ore deposits of the Wisconsin-Illinois-Iowa zinc-lead district (fig. 1) was begun by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1942. The main object of the present program is to delineate the areas favorable to future exploration for zinc-lead ore deposits. As part of the program the Sinsinawa River area in southeastern Grant County, Wis., was selected for a detailed geologic study. This study was made in cooperation with the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey.]

MF 0042 / GEOLOGY AND ZINC-LEAD DEPOSITS IN THE COULER VALLEY AREA, DUBUQUE COUNTY, IOWA, pdf, $ 10 [Geologic investigations were begun in the Iowa portion of the Wisconsin-Illinois-Iowa zinc-lead district to appraise its potentialities: (1) for zinc ore in strata that elsewhere in the mining district contain large zinc ore bodies and (2) for lead and zinc deposits of the type that were mined extensively in Dubuque County, Iowa, during the 19th century]

MF 0116,GEOLOGY AND ZINC-LEAD DEPOSITS IN THE CATFISH CREEK AREA, DUBUQUE COUNTY, IOWA, pdf, $ 10 [A detailed geologic study was begun in 1951 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Iowa Geological Survey to appraise the potentialities of the Iowa part of the Wisconsin-Illinois-Iowa zinc-lead district for (1) zinc ore in rock strata that contain pitch-and-flat zinc ore bodies elsewhere in the mining district and (2) joint-controlled lead and zinc ore like that mined extensively during the 19th century in Dubuque County, Iowa. This investigation is an outgrowth of a geologic study of the entire district, begun in 1942 by the U.S. Geological Survey]

MF 1994 A / SUMMARY GEOCHEMICAL MAPS OF THE HARRISON 1 X 2 QUADRANGLE, ARKANSAS AND MISSOURI, paper, $ 10

MF 1994 C / CROSS-SECTIONS OF LOWER ORDOVICIAN CARBONATE DEPOSITIONAL LITHOFACIES AND MISSISSIPPI VALLEY TYPE ZINC- AND IRON-SULFIDE MINERALIZATION IN THE CAULFIELD DISTRICT, EAST-CENTRAL PART OF HARRISON 1 X 2 QUADRANGLE, ARKANSAS AND MISSOURI, paper, $ 10

MF 1994 D / MINERAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT MAPS OF THE HARRISON 1 X 2 QUADRANGLE, ARKANSAS AND MISSOURI, paper, $ 10



End of the Upper Mississippi Mining District!

Click any link to continue.



Home Page


Catalogs on this Website

Mineral Specimens

Mineralogy Books

Select Mineral Books

Mining History

Geology Books

U.S. State Geology

USGS Publications