Set against the backdrop of Massachusetts’s changing landscape, Davis, Massachusetts stands as a poignant reminder of impermanence. This ghost town, once full of life and purpose, now invites contemplation about the nature of community and the inevitable march of progress.
County: Franklin
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 42°41′52″N 72°52′13″W / 42.69778°N 72.87028°W / 42.69778
Elevation: Not available
Time Zone: Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
Established: 1882
Disestablished: 1911
Comments: Historical accounts reveal that davis, Massachusetts is the abandoned location of the Davis Pyrite Mine. located in the town of Rowe, Massachusetts. Once the largest iron pyrite-mine in Massachusetts, Davis grew to be a decent-sized mining village at the beginnings of the Second Industrial Revolution (1870-1915). But, in 1911, a non-fatal collapse of the mine due to “poor mining practices” ended the nearly 30-year run.
Remains: The abandoned location now by 1937, the mining camp had faded, and all that remained were a blacksmith shop and about 150 cellar holes.
Current Status: The ghost town is presently little remains of the camp today. The area has several cellar holes of defunct houses, and the second-growth forest has staked its claim to much of the land along these unpaved backroads. However, the Davis Mine is a major study area as there are ecological concerns due to a pollution plume exuding from the old workings down into Davis Mine Creek. When the mine collapsed, groundwater seeped into the old workings, and now flows out and downhill into the creek. The University of Massachusetts Amherst has used this as a study site. The remains of the Davis Mine are on private property (it is posted), so access is not available. Other abandoned mines of the Davis Mine period in the Charlemont area within the Hawley “Mineral Belt” stratabound massive sulfide deposits are the Hawks or Mt. Peak Mine and the Mary Louise or Davenport Mine.
Remarks: Though Davis no longer thrives as it once did, its historical importance to Massachusetts remains significant. The town’s story offers valuable lessons about community development and the factors that influence settlement sustainability.
Davis, Massachusetts represents a fascinating chapter in the industrial history of the Commonwealth. Unlike many ghost towns that were abandoned due to natural disasters or economic downturns, Davis emerged and declined specifically around a single industry: mining. Its story provides valuable insights into the boom-and-bust cycles of resource extraction communities in New England.
Origins and Development
The story of Davis begins in the early 1880s in the rolling hills of northwestern Massachusetts, specifically in the area between the towns of Rowe and Charlemont in Franklin County. Both Rowe (established in 1762 and incorporated in 1785) and Charlemont (established in 1742 and incorporated in 1765) were well-established communities with long histories when the Davis settlement emerged.
The catalyst for Davis’s development came when geology students from Amherst College discovered an iron pyrite outcrop in the area. This discovery caught the attention of New York City entrepreneur Herbert Jerome Davis, who recognized the commercial potential of the site. After examining samples from the outcrop, Davis visited the area and purchased the C.C. Brown farm along with parts of neighboring properties that contained a large section of ore-bearing land.
With this acquisition, Davis established the Davis Sulphur Ore Company and began developing what would become the largest iron pyrite mine in Massachusetts. The mine was strategically located about three miles north of Charlemont and two miles south-southeast of Rowe, in the hills east of what is now Davis Mine Road and west of Davis Mine Brook.
Mining Operations and Community Growth
The Davis Mine went into production in January 1883, initially producing about 20 tons of ore per day. The primary product was iron pyrite (iron sulfide, FeS₂), which was used to produce sulfuric acid, a commercially important chemical with widespread industrial applications during this period of American industrialization.
As operations expanded, the mine’s output increased significantly. Historical accounts suggest that at its peak, the mine was producing approximately 100-150 tons of pyrite daily. This substantial operation required extensive infrastructure and a sizable workforce, leading to the development of a proper mining village around the site.
By 1890, at least 10 buildings had been constructed around the mine for various purposes, including ore-processing facilities, boiler houses, machinery shops, and blacksmithing operations. The mining complex featured four main shafts, with Shaft #1 being particularly notable for its large enclosed headframe (shafthouse), tram system, and what appears in period photographs to have been a reduction works facility, complete with a smokestack and large processing building.
Beyond the immediate mining infrastructure, the community grew to include housing for workers and their families. Historical records indicate that at its height, the Davis mining camp included approximately 150 homes, suggesting a population of several hundred residents. The settlement also featured amenities such as a blacksmith shop, butcher shop, and electric lighting—a notable luxury for a rural community in the late 19th century.
In fact, Charlemont claims to be the first electrified town in Massachusetts, and it’s possible that this early adoption of electrical technology extended to the nearby Davis mining camp. This would have represented a significant quality-of-life improvement for residents and would have enhanced the efficiency and safety of mining operations.
The economic impact of the Davis Mine extended beyond the immediate mining community. The operation was a major consumer of local farm produce, creating a market for agricultural goods from surrounding areas. Additionally, miners reportedly earned between $12-15 per day, which represented excellent wages for the time period and would have contributed to the prosperity of the broader region.
In the 1890s, the Davis Mining School was established, further cementing the community’s identity and providing educational opportunities for residents. This institution continued to operate even after mining operations began to decline, serving the community until 1924.
Decline and Abandonment
The fortunes of Davis began to change in the early 20th century. Herbert Jerome Davis, the founder and driving force behind the mining operation, died unexpectedly in 1905. His death created a leadership vacuum that contributed to the mine’s decline over the subsequent years.
Without Davis’s guidance, the mine reportedly suffered from weak management and poor maintenance practices. These deficiencies eventually led to serious safety issues. A series of minor cave-ins occurred throughout the mine, culminating in a major collapse in July 1909 that shut down most of the mining operations.
After the major cave-in, only near-surface mining continued, but these limited operations proved insufficient to sustain the business. By 1911, a non-fatal but significant collapse attributed to “poor mining practices” effectively ended the nearly 30-year run of the Davis Mine. The operation was no longer profitable, and the mine officially closed in 1912. The Davis Sulphur Ore Company eventually sold the property to John Davenport.
With the closure of the mine, the community’s primary economic engine disappeared, and the population began to decline rapidly. The mining camp faded away as residents sought opportunities elsewhere. By 1937, historical accounts indicate that all that remained of the once-bustling community were a blacksmith shop and approximately 150 cellar holes where homes had once stood.
The Davis Mining School outlasted the mine itself by about a decade, continuing to operate until 1924. The school building remained standing, though in a state of deterioration, into the 1970s, serving as one of the last visible reminders of the community that once thrived there.
Environmental Legacy and Current Status
Today, the Davis Mine site is primarily known for its environmental legacy rather than its historical significance. When the mine collapsed, groundwater seeped into the old workings, creating a continuous flow of water that picks up acidic compounds and heavy metals from the exposed minerals. This contaminated water flows downhill into Davis Mine Creek, creating what environmental scientists refer to as acid mine drainage.
The site has become an important case study for environmental researchers, particularly those from the University of Massachusetts, who have used it to study the long-term impacts of historical mining operations on water quality and ecosystems. The pollution plume emanating from the old mine workings continues to affect the local watershed, serving as a reminder of the environmental costs often associated with industrial activities of the past.
Physical remains of Davis are limited but still present. The site features four capped mine shafts, some sulphur ore deposits, several foundations of old buildings, and some old machinery. These remnants are located on private property on Davis Mine Road, and access is restricted. Visitors interested in the site are advised to respect private property boundaries and any posted signs.
The quiet remains of what was once Massachusetts’ largest pyrite mine and the community that grew around it stand as a testament to the transient nature of resource-based settlements. Davis emerged rapidly when the economic opportunity presented itself and disappeared almost as quickly when that opportunity vanished, leaving behind only subtle traces in the landscape and in historical records.
Historical Significance
Despite its relatively brief existence, Davis represents an important chapter in Massachusetts’ industrial and mining history. As the site of the largest pyrite mine in the state, it contributed to the chemical industry during a critical period of American industrial development. The sulfuric acid produced from Davis pyrite would have been used in various manufacturing processes, including textile production, metal processing, and fertilizer manufacturing—all important industries in late 19th and early 20th century New England.
The rise and fall of Davis also illustrates the vulnerability of single-industry communities, particularly those based on non-renewable resource extraction. When the mine became unsafe and unprofitable, the entire community that had grown around it quickly disappeared, a pattern seen in mining towns across America.
Today, Davis serves as both a historical curiosity and an environmental case study. Its story connects to broader themes in American history, including industrialization, resource extraction, company towns, and the environmental legacies of these activities. Though little remains of the physical town, its history continues to be preserved through research, documentation, and the ongoing environmental monitoring of its lasting impact on the landscape.
Sources:
1. History of Massachusetts Blog. “Ghost Towns in Massachusetts.” https://historyofmassachusetts.org/ghost-towns-massachusetts/
2. Ghost Town USA. “Davis Mine, Massachusetts.” https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~gtusa/history/usa/ma/davismine.htm
3. Mindat.org. “Davis Pyrite Mine, Rowe, Franklin County, Massachusetts, USA.” https://www.mindat.org/loc-5972.html
4. The Diggings. “Davis Pyrite Mines Near Rowe, Massachusetts.” https://thediggings.com/mines/28157
5. University of Massachusetts. “Environmental Consequences of Acidic Drainage from Davis Mine.” https://www.umass.edu/biocomplexity/publications_files/igc2004.pdf