The origins of Booth’s Bismuth Mine can be traced back to October of 1849 when Ephraim Lane leased eight acres from Arnold Hurd. On this land was a deposit of bismuth ore containing native bismuth, bismuthinite, and bismite. Other non-bismuth bearing minerals were also present including graphite, pyrrhotite, and sphalerite. During the 1890’s, the mine was reopened after some period of abandonment and was known to be worked again during the 1920’s, although on a relatively small scale.

Despite the unusual variety of minerals discovered, the limited quantity of ore could not sustain the operation. The mine was worked from an adit driven for approximately 40 feet as well surface diggings. It is not known how much ore was shipped.