Granite pegmatite. Eastern Mt. Apatite group - Oxford pegmatite field.
The Maine Feldspar Co. leased the area in 1902 which resulted in the largest commercial mining excavation at Mount Apatite. Feldspar was mined chiefly for the china and porcelain industry and was first transported to Topsham and later two miles south to their processing plant, established in 1906, at Littlefield Station.
Mining production averaged one hundred and fifty tons of spar each month. The miners, ever mindful of gem material and good specimens, initially sold minerals to John Towne of Brunswick, Maine to handle the disposition of this precious byproduct, until his death.
Edson Bastin of the USGS visited the site in August 1906 and again in October 1907. Commercial mining ceased operations in the October, 1929.
Currently owned by the City of Auburn, the Maine Feldspar Quarry is only a small part of the 325 acre “Mt. Apatite Park”. Promoted as a multi-use park, it allows hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, limited snowmobiling and mineral collecting. Although collecting has no fee and does not require special permission, the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department should be contacted for specific collecting rules.
References:
Bastin, Edson S. (1911): Geology of the Pegmatites and Associated Rocks of Maine.
Perham, Jane C. (1985): Maine’s Treasure Chest.
King, V. and Foord, E. (1994) Mineralogy of Maine, volume 1.
King, Vandall T. (2000) Mineralogy of Maine, volume 2.
King, V. T. (2009) Maine Feldspar, Families, and Feuds.
Maine Geological Survey Publication: Mount Apatite Park, Auburn, ME.
City of Auburn Parks and Recreation: Mt. Apatite Park Trail Map and Park Rules.
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Map Reference: 44°5'16"N , 70°17'29"W
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Mineral List:53 entries listed. 44 valid minerals.
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