Located within what was once one of the most important iron mining districts, the Copperas Mine was worked for its namesake, copperas, or ferrous sulfate. During the Revolutionary War, the notable iron master Job Allen manufactured copperas on the site. Later during the War of 1812, the mine was under the direction of Dr. Charles Graham for the purpose of producing copperas and red paint for the war. After the war ended, the mine was therefore abandoned.

In February of 1880, Cooper and Hewitt acquired the mineral rights as well as those of nearby mines in the vicinity for a sum of $50,000. With a spur of the Charlotteburg and Green Lake Railroad now leading directly to the Copperas Mine, Cooper and Hewitt began shipping its product by rail.

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