 In the mid @-@ 19th century a mine was developed alongside the River Barle . The mine was originally called Wheal Maria , then changed to Wheal Eliza . It was a copper mine from 1845 – 54 and then an iron mine until 1857 , although the first mining activity on the site may be from 1552 . At Simonsbath , a restored Victorian water @-@ powered sawmill , which was damaged in the floods of 1992 , has now been purchased by the National Park and returned to working order ; it is now used to make the footpath signs , gates , stiles and bridges for various sites in the park . 
