Federal Mine, ore cars

Abstract

A man stands by loaded ore cars underground at the Federal Mine. The Federal Mine is an underground lead mine in the Old Lead Belt of Missouri. The Mine and mill were operated by St. Joseph Lead Company. For a time the Federal Mill was the largest lead mill in the world and operated until 1972. In 1975 the Mine and mill site were donated to the state of Missouri and became part of St. Joe State Park. The Mine site was designated Missouri Mines State Historic Site. The St. Joseph Lead Company was formed in 1864 to exploit lead deposits in Missouri's Old Lead Belt. The Company purchased large amounts of land and consolidated the holdings of other mining and processing companies, and eventually moved its operations further southwest with the discovery of additional lead deposits in Missouri. St. Joseph Lead Company was acquired by Fluor Corporation in 1981.