Buzz
Thanks to the country's rich mining and industrial history, many U.S. towns have been named after elements from the periodic table. Join us on a virtual road trip to visit ten of these 'elemental' towns, ranked from heaviest to lightest by their atomic number (the number of protons in an atom's nucleus).
10. Radium, Texas Atomic Number = 88
Radium, an alkaline earth metal in Group 2, is highly radioactive. It was used in luminous paints, most notably by the 'Radium Girls,' who tragically ingested large amounts of radium as they used their lips to point brushes. These brushes were used to paint radioactive paint onto watch dials and aircraft instruments. The Radium Girls suffered slow, agonizing deaths from radiation poisoning.
Radium, Texas, located on U.S. Highway 83, about ten miles northwest of Anson in western Jones County, was founded in 1910 with the opening of J. M. Williford’s store. The town's population has remained relatively steady over the past century, with ten residents in 1915, twenty in 1940, and an estimated twenty-six in 1980 and 1990. In 2000, the population was again recorded at ten. Remarkably, Radium’s population has never surpassed its atomic number of 88. The town serves as a trading hub for ranchers and farmers in the Thompson Creek area. William Lawrence Chittenden, known as the “Poet Ranchman,” based his literary works on his life as a rancher in the region.
9. Lead, South Dakota Atomic Number = 82
Lead, one of the first metals used by humans, is still crucial in industries like battery, bullet, and pewter manufacturing. However, it is highly toxic, particularly to children, and remains a significant health issue in the U.S., primarily due to prolonged exposure to lead-based paint in homes. Lead, South Dakota (pronounced 'leed'), located in Lawrence County with a population of 3,027 as of the 2000 census, sits in the Black Hills near the Wyoming border.
Founded on July 10, 1876, after the discovery of gold, Lead became home to the Homestake Mine, the largest, deepest (8240 feet/2512 meters), and most productive gold mine in the Western Hemisphere before its closure in January 2002. While the town could have been named 'Gold' South Dakota, lead often accompanies gold in nature. Thanks to the mine, Lead had a population of 8,382 in 1910, making it the second-largest town in South Dakota at the time.
Lead was initially established as a company town by the Homestake Mining Company, which operated the nearby Homestake Mine. In modern times, both Lead and the mine have been repurposed. They are now the site of the proposed Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory, a National Science Foundation facility dedicated to low-background experiments involving neutrinos, dark matter, and various nuclear physics topics, alongside studies in biology and mine engineering. In 1974, most of Lead was designated a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the 'Lead Historic District.'
8. Mercury, Nevada Atomic Number = 80
Mercury is a silvery metal that forms small, movable droplets, often seen in science class experiments or when a thermometer breaks. Despite its fascinating appearance, mercury is highly toxic. Mercury is also the name of a town in Nye County, Nevada, located 5 miles (8 km) north of U.S. Route 95 and 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Las Vegas. The town is situated within the Nevada Test Site, originally built by the Atomic Energy Commission to accommodate personnel working at the site. Today, the area is managed by the United States Department of Energy and remains closed to the general public. The town got its name from the mercury mines that existed in the region long before the town itself was established. The current population is unknown.
Mercury began in 1950 as a temporary military encampment known as Base Camp Mercury, designed to provide basic accommodations for personnel involved in the early operations of the Nevada Test Site. As the scope of the testing program grew, so did the need for additional personnel. In 1951, a $6.7 million construction project was initiated to create more permanent housing, office spaces, and service facilities, which gave the site a more civilian town-like feel. By the mid-1950s, with the addition of a full-service post office, Base Camp Mercury was officially renamed Mercury, Nevada.
In the early 1960s, the town’s population had exceeded 10,000, leading to major construction projects to solidify the town’s infrastructure. A school was built, and several recreational and commercial amenities were added, including a movie theater, bowling alley, recreation hall, swimming pool, and hobby center. Additionally, the town received a full-care health clinic, library, a non-denominational chapel with a team of chaplains, a service station with garage, and a bus station. In 1963, the Desert Rock Airstrip was constructed in anticipation of a visit from President John F. Kennedy.
The town thrived until 1992, when the nuclear testing agreement was signed by President George H. W. Bush, marking the end of Mercury’s original purpose. The population rapidly declined afterward, and many of the town's facilities were left abandoned. A small group of scientists and military personnel remain in Mercury for limited testing and research, but most amenities have closed, leaving the town as a hollow version of its former self. A few facilities, such as dining spots, a bar, and a gym, are still in operation.
Although you can't directly visit Mercury, you can take a tour of certain areas within the nuclear test site when the government offers tours. For more details, visit The Atomic Tourist here.
7. Platinum, Alaska Atomic Number = 78
Platinum, when in its pure form, is a silvery-white, lustrous metal that is both ductile and malleable. Its exceptional resistance to wear, tarnish, corrosion, and high temperatures makes it a preferred material for fine jewelry. Additionally, platinum's stable electrical properties have made it a valuable asset in various industrial applications. Platinum Alaska, located along the Bering Sea coast, is situated 440 miles (716 km) west of Anchorage. According to the 2000 census, the town had 41 residents, with nine out of ten being Native American.
Platinum is situated near a traditional village site called Arviq. The settlement was established shortly after platinum was discovered by an Eskimo named Walter Smith in 1926. Between 1927 and 1934, several small placer mines operated along the area's creeks, extracting approximately 3,000 troy ounces of platinum. At the time, platinum was valued at around $48 per ounce, though by August 2, 2010, it was listed at approximately $1,569 per ounce on the open market.
The major strike occurred in October of 1936, triggering a rush of prospectors in search of 'white gold.' However, the claims proved too deep for manual mining, leading to their acquisition by two companies. The largest of these, Goodnews Mining Co., eventually took control of more than 150 claims. In 1937, the company built a large dredge about 10 miles from Platinum and also constructed essential infrastructure, including bunkhouses, a recreation hall, offices, shops, and a cafeteria. Platinum evolved into a 'company town,' with the mine supplying the store, water, and electricity. A school was established in 1960, and by 1975, 545,000 ounces of platinum had been extracted from the site. The mine was sold to Hanson Properties, who estimated reserves of over 500,000 ounces before ceasing operations in 1990.
6. Tungsten, Colorado Atomic Number = 74
Tungsten holds the distinction of having the second highest melting point of any element (only carbon surpasses it), and it is denser than lead. This unique combination of properties makes it ideal for use in the manufacturing of weapons and electronics. The mining town of Tungsten, located near Boulder, Colorado, saw its boom during World War I, when tungsten became more valuable than gold or silver. With the U.S. entering the war, prices soared, and in 1917, the town produced $6 million worth of tungsten. At its height, the town's population swelled to around 200,000, with many transient workers passing through. However, when tungsten prices crashed, the boom quickly ended, and the town soon faded into obscurity. Today, little remains of Tungsten, and it stands as one of the American West's ghost towns.
5. Zinc, Arkansas Atomic Number = 30
Zinc has been utilized since at least the 10th century, often mixed with copper to form bronze. In modern times, it is widely used as an anti-corrosion agent in galvanized steel, in the production of batteries, and in bronze. Zinc is also an essential mineral for human health, and its deficiency can lead to serious health issues, particularly in children. Zinc, Arkansas, with a population of 76, is located near the eastern edge of Boone County, alongside the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The Zinc area flourished from the late 1800s until the early 1920s due to its abundant mineral deposits, primarily silicate of zinc.
The Zinc area is noted for producing some of the finest grade slab zinc that could be smelted from raw ore. In addition to the mines, the area also featured an artesian well and several springs. During its peak, Zinc was a thriving community with a school, newspaper, and numerous businesses, including stores and hotels. However, as the mines closed and the Great Depression set in, the area began to decline. Today, Zinc remains a small community, home to several families, but the glory days of its mining history are long gone.
4. Iron Michigan Atomic Number = 26
Iron stands as the most widely used metal globally, with 98% of it being used in the production of steel. Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the city of Iron Mountain, which serves as the county seat, boasts a population of approximately 8,000 residents. The city is also home to one of the world's largest artificial ski jumps. Its origins, unsurprisingly, trace back to the search for iron ore. During the early stages of the U.S. steel industry in the 1800s, prospectors scoured the land for iron ore deposits. In 1879, James John Hagerman and Dr. Nelson Powell Hulst discovered what would later be known as the Chapin Mine, named after the landowner Henry Chapin. Despite initial failures to find ore, the two men persisted and finally struck a rich vein of iron ore after sinking a 90-foot deep shaft.
The area was initially boggy and heavily wooded, making it challenging to access the ore. To remove the excess water, the Cornish Pump was constructed, which would go on to become the largest steam-driven pump in the United States. Designed in 1890, the Cornish Pump’s high-pressure cylinder has a diameter of 50 inches (127 cm), while the low-pressure cylinder measures 100 inches (254 cm). The flywheel, with a diameter of 40 feet (12 meters) and a weight of 160 tons (145,150 kg), turned at a modest speed of only 10 revolutions per minute. The engine itself rises 54 feet (16 meters) above the floor, and the total weight is estimated to be 725 tons (657,708 kg).
The pump utilized a reciprocating motion, operating a series of steel rods extending 1,500 feet (457 meters) deep into the mine. At intervals of 170 to 192 feet (52 to 59 meters), eight pumps were attached to the rods. Each pump moved water to the next in line, and ultimately, the water was pumped to the surface. The engine, designed for slow operation, allowed the pumps to move over 300 gallons (1,135 liters) of water per stroke. With 10 revolutions per minute, this resulted in over 3,000 gallons (11,356 liters) of water being pumped out every minute, or 5,000,000 gallons (18,927,058 liters) per day. At the time, the estimated cost of the pump was nearly $250,000.
After just a few years of successful operation, the massive pumping system was relocated from the 'D' shaft at the Chapin Mine because the pump sat above over a million tons of the finest ore in the entire mine. The pump continued to run until 1932, when the Chapin Mine permanently shut down. The Chapin Mine Pumping Engine, also known as the Cornish Pump, was recognized as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Monument by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers on June 6, 1987. It was also featured in the History Channel's Modern Marvels Series focused on the World’s Biggest Machines.
3. Krypton and Neon Kentucky Atomic Numbers 36 and 10
Kentucky is home to two towns named after noble gases from Group 18 of the Periodic Table, also known as the 'noble gases'. One is Krypton, Kentucky, with a population of 3,221, and, contrary to popular belief, no one from the town goes by the names Clark Kent or Kal-El. The other is Neon, Kentucky (properly named Fleming/Neon), located in the far east of the state, near Virginia. Established in 1913 by the Elkhorn Coal Corporation, Fleming was the original name of the town, after its first president, George W. Fleming.
Near the town of Fleming existed a community called Chip, which quickly grew and became a trading hub for surrounding coal mining towns. The coal from Fleming was transported by train, which would make a stop at Neon. According to local lore, a man aboard the train would shout instructions to passengers climbing on board, saying 'Knee On'. This was eventually shortened to Neon, replacing the original name, Chip. In 1977, the two towns officially merged to become Fleming-Neon.
2. Chrome, Pennsylvania Atomic Number = 24
Chromium, also known as chrome (atomic number 24), is a transition metal in Group 6. Thanks to its exceptional resistance to corrosion, chromium is often used as an additive in steel to produce chromium steel. Situated near my hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the village of Chrome lies along the Pennsylvania-Maryland border close to the Mason-Dixon Line. The town got its name from the chromite mining that once took place in the northern part of Maryland and southeastern Pennsylvania. What stands out more, however, is the geological wonder known as the Serpentine Barrens, a unique feature caused by the presence of chromite and other metals in the soil.
Chromite is found within serpentinite rock, which contains minimal quartz and aluminum minerals. As this rock weathers, most of it dissolves, leaving behind a thin soil that's poor in sand and clay and highly susceptible to erosion. As a result, the land over serpentinite is often stony, infertile, and sparsely vegetated—earning it the name 'serpentine barren.' These barrens typically feature scrub oak, pine, cedar, grasses, and a few rare wildflowers. These stretches of uncultivated land stand out against the lush fields of crops like soybeans, wheat, and corn. Interestingly, plant life in these barrens tends to flourish further from water sources, as water concentrates the toxic metals, including chromite, that harm plants.
The Nature Conservancy describes Serpentine Barrens as 'globally rare' and has been involved in efforts to protect the Serpentine Barrens along the Maryland-Pennsylvania state line. These barrens are home to some of the last significant remnants of serpentine grassland in eastern North America. The thin soil overlying the light green serpentine bedrock is rich in metals like nickel and chromium, which are toxic to most plants and animals. Despite this, the barren habitat sustains many species, some of which are rare or endangered, that have adapted to the harsh conditions over millennia.
Regarding the chromite, all the ore extracted in Maryland and southeastern Pennsylvania was shipped to Baltimore. Nearly all of the world's chrome production between 1828 and 1850 came from these regions of the United States. In 1845, Isaac Tyson, Jr. established a chrome plant in Baltimore, giving him a monopoly on the chemical uses of chrome as well as its mining. Maryland remained the leading producer of chrome until the mid-19th century, when deposits in Asia Minor gained significance, and Baltimore's exports halted in 1860. The Baltimore Chrome Works kept its monopoly until 1885 and remained a successful business until 1908, when the Tyson family sold it to the Mutual Chemical Company of America.
1. Manganese, Minnesota Atomic Number = 25
Manganese is a mineral essential in steel and aluminum manufacturing, as well as in battery production. Manganese was also the name of a small village in Minnesota, located in Crow Wing County, about two miles (3 km) north of Trommald. The village, positioned between Coles Lake and Flynn Lake, first appeared in the 1920 census and had a population of 183. It was abandoned by 1960, named after the mining of its key mineral, and became known as 'Manganese Village.'
Over time, all of the ore was extracted, and as a result, the town lost its source of employment. Residents were forced to leave in search of new job opportunities. Unlike nearby towns, Manganese's population did not simply decline by a small percentage but vanished entirely. By the 1960s, the town had become a ghost town, with nothing left except sidewalks, rubble, and the foundations of buildings. As the years passed into the 1980s, trees, roots, and shrubs began to break through the cracked sidewalks. In the 1990s, much of the land was sold off and is now privately owned, with a 'no trespassing' sign posted at the southeastern entrance.
Just to the north of Manganese, you'll find the small town of Emily, Minnesota. Emily has the potential to become the next Manganese due to its proximity to one of the largest high-quality manganese deposits in North America. Experts suggest that there could be up to a billion pounds of manganese buried beneath the ground, only a couple of miles from the town's center. This discovery could trigger an economic boom in the region, particularly since the U.S. currently imports nearly all of its manganese.
+ Boron, CA Atomic Number = 5
Boron is widely used in manufacturing insulating fiberglass (borosilicate) and laundry detergents (sodium perborate). It is most famous as a primary component of Borax, the natural cleaner that was historically transported from the deserts of the Western U.S. by the famous '20-Mule Teams.' Boron is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kern County, California, located 15 miles (24 km) east-southeast of Castle Butte, at an elevation of 2,467 feet (751 meters). According to the 2000 census, the population was 2,025. The town was named after the element boron and is home to one of the world’s largest sources of boric acid, a boron compound.
Boron is situated on the western edge of the Mojave Desert. From here, within a half-day's drive, one can visit the highest and lowest points in the contiguous 48 states—Mount Whitney and Death Valley—see the world's oldest tree, the Bristlecone Pine, and access the cities of both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The town's story began in October 1913 when Dr. J.K. Suckow was drilling a well for water 4.5 miles (7 km) northwest of Boron. Instead of finding water, he stumbled upon colemanite, a borax ore. Colemanite was named after William Tell Coleman, the owner of the Harmony Borax Works, who famously used '20-mule teams' to transport the borax from the Death Valley mines to the nearest railroad junction. Suckow eventually sold his well and claim to the Pacific Coast Borax Company.
In 1924, eager to replicate his earlier success, Suckow drilled another shaft and uncovered a 70-foot (21-meter) thick deposit of colemanite at 210 feet (64 meters). By 1925, the Suckow Chemical Company had extracted several hundred tons of colemanite from this new shaft. That same year, a substantial deposit was found at a depth of 120 feet (37 meters), just 1½ miles (2 kilometers) west of Suckow’s shaft. This deposit was sold to the Pacific Coast Borax Company in early 1926 and came to be known as the Baker Mine. The town of Boron was soon established as a result. Today, this borax deposit is the world’s largest borax mine and the largest open-pit mine in California, providing nearly half of the world’s refined borates.
East of Boron, across the county line in San Bernardino County, lies the world’s largest solar power generation facility – the five 30-megawatt Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS) located at Kramer Junction, California, in the Mojave Desert.
