You might want to check with the Maryland Geological Survey - as I recall there were active chrome mines west of Baltimore near the Soldier's Delight serpantine barrens - the Geological Survey's annual reports discuss mineral exploitation and MGS has been in buisness since the 19th c. Here is a link to an article on their web site: Maryland's Geologic Features: Soldiers Delight Serpentine Barrens, Baltimore County ****... source of chromium ore. During the 19th century Soldiers Delight and the Bare Hills district of Baltimore City were the largest producers of chrome in the world. In these two locations, chromite is a significant accessory mineral in the serpentine and was mined up until 1860. Several old mines and quarries ... 
http://www.mgs.md.gov/esic/features/soldiers.html 05/23/07, 11744 bytes Silas Hurry HSMC 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David S. Rotenstein" <[log in to unmask]> 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2010 12:51:03 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Chrome Pits 

I am looking for sources on the archaeological expression of chrome 
pits/mines. More specifically, operations active in the U.S.  between c. 
1820 and 1900, that were located on working farms whose owners leased out 
portions of the farms to firms who brought workers in to remove and 
transport the chrome/chromite. 

  

Thanks. 

  

David Rotenstein 

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David S. Rotenstein, Ph.D. 
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