Ruggles Mine is an open-pit mine that was turned into a tourist attraction but is now closed and was recently sold. The mine is located northwest of Concord, New Hampshire, in the town of Grafton, a short distance from Route 4 at the village green. The spacious pit includes tunnels and underground chambers, some of which are filled with water. Visitors were allowed to keep any of the various minerals that were found on the mine floor or that could be hammered loose from the walls of the pit. Geology The mineral deposits found in the area, known as the Littleton Formation, date from the Devonian period and have been estimated by geologists to be roughly 350 million to 400 million years old. Over 150 minerals have been discovered at the mine, mica being the most prevalent, but also including feldspar, beryl, amethyst, rose/smoky quartz, and garnet. Specimens of the rare uranium minerals, such as uranophane, torbernite, and autunite, have been found. History Sam Ruggles (3 August 1770 – 27 May 1843) started the first commercial mica mine in the United States at the site that bears his name. Mica at the time was used to make, among other things, lamp chimneys and stove windows. Ruggles began as a grocer and was merchant of West India goods in Boston, Massachusetts. He was never a resident of New Hampshire (he was born, lived and died in Boston), and hired local workers in Grafton to operate the mine. Local lore states that the mine was started in 1803, but there is no documented evidence that supports the claim. Ruggles' first purchase of property on Isinglass Hill in Grafton was on 5 July 1805. He made subsequent purchases of adjoining properties in 1806 and 1810. His first advertisement for mica ("sheet isinglass") appeared in the Boston Semi-Weekly Advertiser on 9 November 1825. By 1831 his occupation was listed in the Boston Directory as a merchant of sheet isinglass. He had a storefront and warehouse in Boston where he sold mica. Sam Ruggles sold his mine properties to his son George Haskell Ruggles (1802 – 6 May 1863) in 1834. Sam's son Charles (1809 – 13 April 1869) worked as clerk and bookkeeper for his father and brother. Sam and George managed the business together until Sam's death in 1843, after which George continued the family business on his own. After George's death in