The Old Mines is an unincorporated community in southeastern Missouri that was settled by the French in the early 1700s, while the area was part of New France. The area was a lead mining area, and some of their descendants continue to inhabit the region, maintaining the semblance of French culture due to its isolation. Although a wider area is included in what is considered Old Mines, the village itself is in northeastern Washington County, a few miles north of Potosi. The Old Mines Area Historical Society was established to preserve and promote the French culture and history of the area, and to operate a museum of historic buildings, which bear a Fertile, Missouri address. The village of Old Mines is situated along Missouri Highway 47, south of Racola, southwest of Fertile, north of Potosi, and northwest of Mud Town, Happy Hollow and Cadet.
Recommended Resources
Offering information about the history and cultural heritage of the Old Mines area of Missouri, settled by French lead miners in the early 1700s, and one of the oldest communities in what is now the state of Missouri. The history of the community, its language, photographs, documents, videos, recordings, and a bibliography are put forward.
http://www.oldmines.org/
OMAHS is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1977 for the purpose of preserving and promoting the cultural and historical heritage of the early French settlers who came to the Old Mines area of what is now Missouri in the early 18th century. Membership information, a calendar of events, publication, and genealogical resources are available.
http://omahs.weebly.com/
St. Joachim Catholic Church / St. Joseph Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic parish serves the Old Mines area of southeastern Missouri. Its history, ministries, and spiritual growth programs are discussed, along with a sacrament schedule, mass times, confession times, and adoration times. A Sunday bulletin is published to the site.
http://www.stjoachim.org/
A ministry of St. Joachim Catholic Church, the Catholic elementary school was organized in 1924, although there are records of the existence of a Catholic school in Old Mines as far back as 1852. Its location, school hours, handbooks and curriculum information are presented, and various reports and documentation are available for downloading.
http://www.stjoachimschool.com/
